Nature activities that bring you up close to animals in Les Orres

Activities with Animals
Where can you see marmots this summer?
Animals on the Alpine Pastures
Guided Nature Outings
Canirando aux Orres
© ©Les Orres - Willy Camus
Visite des ruches des Orres
© ©Les Orres - Aurélie Bellet
Marmottes des Alpes du sud
© ©Les Orres

In Les Orres, animals are an integral part of the mountain experience. Through fun activities, educational explorations, and nature observations, visitors of all ages can encounter the wildlife that inhabits the Southern Alps. Marmots, bees, birds of prey, and four-legged friends invite you to see the mountains in a whole new light. These experiences help you better understand, observe, and appreciate the richness of the animal world around Les Orres and Lake Serre-Ponçon.

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FAUNA & FLORA OF OUR MOUNTAINS

Activities with Animals 
Encounters and Discoveries in the Heart of the Animal World

In Les Orres, activities with animals offer a unique way to explore the mountains and their unspoiled landscapes. From dog-led hikes to educational tours and encounters with the iconic species of the Southern Alps, enjoy enriching experiences while taking in the exceptional surroundings.

Horseback and pony rides - Le Kiowah Equestrian Center

Where can you see marmots in the summer? 
The best spots for spotting marmots in Les Orres in the Southern Alps

Wear sturdy shoes, pack a hat and a bottle of water in your backpack, and set off in search of marmots deep in the mountains! 

The marmot is undoubtedly the most iconic animal of the Alps. Easily recognizable by its famous whistle, it lives in high-altitude meadows and sunny alpine pastures, where it digs extensive networks of burrows. In Les Orres, hikers have a good chance of spotting them during the summer, especially on high-altitude trails and in open areas.

A few tips to avoid endangering them

Inappropriate behavior can have much more serious consequences than you might imagine. A marmot that is stressed and disturbed all summer long due to repeated disturbances will not build up enough reserves to survive the winter.

  • Keep your distance. Binoculars are your best friends! This way, you can admire them from afar and observe a great deal without causing stress or triggering alarm calls.
  • Stay on the trail to respect their habitat.
  • Shhh, be quiet: walk quietly, avoid sudden movements and shouting.
  • Be mindful of smells: strong odors and intense perfumes bother these animals.

⚠️ What you must never do:

  • Never feed the marmots: giving them human food seriously disrupts their digestion and makes them sick. Diabetes is a common cause of tourism-related mortality. 
  • Avoid bringing dogs or keep them on a leash right next to you: they’re perceived as predators, and their presence panics the entire colony. Even a very gentle dog leaves a scent that can cause significant stress to marmots.
  • Do not block the burrows: do not sit in front of a burrow entrance or place a camera there.
  • Forget about drones: their use is prohibited or heavily regulated, and they cause tremendous stress to wildlife.

Where can you see marmots in Les Orres? 

Marmotte alpes du sud

Put on your hiking boots! 
Here are a few clues to help you spot these animals’ favorite habitats: they love sunny alpine meadows and open areas that offer a clear view of predators. Look for scree slopes and short grassy areas! They love to bask in the sun there.

  • The alpine pasture above Lake Sainte-Marguerite, heading toward the Col de l’Âne. 
    Difficulty level to reach it: moderate

HIKE: COL DE L’ÂNE

  • At the top of the Pousterle chairlift, around the “Belvédère” loop. 
    Difficulty level for reaching the trailhead: easy

HIKE: BELVÉDÈRE

  • The Muretier valley. 
    Difficulty level for getting there: moderate / difficult.

HIKE: THE MURETIER VALLEY

Tips for Spotting Them

  • Go out early in the morning or late in the afternoon: they emerge from their burrows to feed when temperatures are mild
  • Stay quiet and unobtrusive: sudden noises and movements will scare the colony away
  • Bring binoculars: you’ll be able to watch them for much longer
  • Keep an eye on the rocks: they love to bask in the sun 

  • Listen carefully: A short, high-pitched whistle is the sentinel’s warning call when danger approaches—it’s often heard near large, warm rocks close to their burrow.

Domestic Animals on the Alpine Pastures 
A living mountain to be respected

Vache en montagne, pastoralisme aux Orres
© ©Les Orres - Aurélie Bellet

In the summer, the mountain pastures of Les Orres come alive with the rhythm of the herds that come to graze on the highlands. While out hiking, it’s not uncommon to come across these animals roaming freely, sometimes accompanied by their shepherds and livestock guard dogs. 

To fully enjoy your hike, here are a few tips to follow:

  • Keep as much distance as possible from the herds; take the widest possible route around them.
  • Never approach the animals to pet them or feed them.
  • Close any gates behind you
  • Do not run; get off your bike.
  • If guard dogs approach, stay calm, let them get a sense of who you are, and then continue on your way.

By respecting the animals and the shepherds, you help preserve this delicate balance among all mountain activities.

HERD LOCATION MAP

TIPS FROM THE ÉCRINS NATIONAL PARK

 

Guided nature outings 
by professionals

Observe, understand, and marvel: mountain guides will take you on a journey to discover the wildlife and secrets of the mountains. Let them guide you!