Lac d'Anterne

View on Le Dérochoir
These various landslides created a passage making it possible to cross the Fiz ridge.

The mont Blanc before mountaineering

The Common Raven
Alternately feared or venerated, it is the hero of myths and legends in many cultures. Persecuted for a long time, it is now protected. The size of a buzzard, it can be specifically recognized by its diamond-shaped tail and its hoarse call. It is an omnivore, which means that it feeds on carrion, eggs, chicks or berries!
The couples, which are united for their life time, carry out aerobatic courtship rituals! Apart from humans, the Golden Eagle is its only predator.

The Golden Eagle

The Rock Ptarmigan
Its name, which means "hare's foot", refers to its foot digits covered by fuzz in the winter!
It is one of the most endangered bird species in the Alps.
Every year the nature reserves of Haute-Savoie, in collaboration with "L'Observatoire des Galliformes de Montagne", carry out population monitoring in order study their evolution.

The Black Woodpecker
It is easily recognized by its entirely black plumage enlivened by a bright red spot, limited to the nape on the females and more extensive on the males.

The Hazel Grouse
It is much less known than the Black Grouse or the Rock Ptarmigan because it lives exclusively in the forest!
But it is as important as the others from a biological and scientific point of view: it is an indicator species of environmental changes. Its specific demands in terms of vegetation and diversity of tree species ask for an adapted forest management. Bad preservation management of this habitats is one of the main causes of regression of the species.

The whistled language of groundhogs
Always vigilant, standing up, it surveys its environment to avoid to be caught. Thanks to a very wide field of vision, and excellent hearing and smell abilities, nothing goes unnoticed. In case of alert, it warns the others with an alarm call: very high-pitched and brief for a danger coming from the sky, whistled and repeated for a danger on the ground. And that danger may be you!

The Mountain Ash
The fruits can be used to make to make brandy, jelly or jam. But be aware that they are toxic at maturity, so you have to pick them earlier!
In the nature reserve, the Mountain Ash is part of a participatory science program intended to measure the impact of climate change on the ecosystems of the mountain.

The Downy Birch
In the reserve, birches are monitored as part of the "Phénoclim" program implemented by CREA and intended to measure the impact of climate change on plant cycles.

The 'Ayères'

Architecture of mountain pasture chalets
Construction features at high altitude are strongly related to the immediate surroundings: stones for the walls, basic – but resistant to winter conditions! – framework made out of spruce.
Originally, the roof was covered with ‘tavaillons’, a kind of wooden tiles.
These buildings, used for agricultural activity during the summer, were of rudimentary comfort and housed the shepherd and its owner’s family.

The history of the Passy nature reserve
The national nature reserve of Aiguilles Rouges was created in 1974, and a few years later in 1977 the Sixt-Fer à Cheval / Passy nature reserve.
A small territory, settled between these two areas, will become the nature reserve of Passy in 1980.

The alpine cabin

Livestock guardian dogs
When approaching the herd, it’s very important to observe carefully the dog’s behavior and to take it in account while respecting the following instructions:
- Stay away from the herd (bypass it if possible) - Announce your presence by speaking out loud to avoid surprising the herd and dogs
- Keep calm and avoid sudden movements, keep walking without running. Talk gently to the dogs so that they get used to your presence and accept it.
- Avoid looking straight into the dog’s eyes and hold an object between you and the dog.

The wolf
Since the summer of 2019, there is evidence of its presence in some of the nature reserves of Haute-Savoie, which explains the presence of livestock guardian dogs watching over several herds.
Indeed, the wolf is carnivorous. It feeds mainly on wild animals such as Chamois or Roe Deer. But it can also consume ewes or sheep, especially from unprotected herds.
So in order not to interfere with the work of the dogs, please follow the instructions!

Mountain pastures, a mountain tradition
The breeding of milk producing cows was once a tradition. Nowadays, in the Passy Nature Reserve, you can find rather large herds of sheep for meat production.

The Great yellow Gentian
Used in phytotherapy, it should not be confused with the highly toxic False Helleborine – also called White Hellebore-, next to which it grows and which looks very similar!
Only the flowers are not alike, those of the Gentian are yellow. When not flowering, you can use the leaves to distinguish both species: Gentian is opposite-leaved, while the leaves of the False helleborine borne along the stem alternately (alternate-leaved plant).

Tintins cabin

The Alpine Ibex
Various successive reintroductions in the entire Alps region have made it possible to increase the numbers of the populations although the stability of these populations is still threatened.
In the nature reserves of Haute-Savoie, Ibexes are included in the monitored species and research programs intended to study its health conditions or to improve the management of its populations

The Bearded Vulture
Exterminated from the Alps at the beginning of the 20th century, this harmless and majestic bird is back in the alpine skies thanks to the largest animal reintroduction program initiated 30 years ago in Europe.

The Alpine Choug
The Chough can be recognized by its black plumage, its lemon yellow beak and its red legs. It’s a fan of aerobatics and there is no doubt that their group movements will amaze you!

The Griffon Vulture
This bird lives in colonies of different sizes, the closest of which are located in southern Vercors. Especially the young individuals who explore new territories. To feed, this bird is also able to cover hundreds of kilometers thanks to its gliding technique, depending on favorable weather conditions.

A Swiss hydroplane on the lake of Anterne
Description
- Take the paved road which passes in front of the restaurant "Lou Pacheran".
- Take the track that climbs towards the Col d'Anterne. Beacon 102.
- At the orientation table, continue on the track to the Col d'Anterne. Beacon 103.
- Continue on the track towards Ayères des Pierrières, Col d'Anterne. Beacon 16.
- Cross the hamlet of Ayères des Pierrières.
- Take the path on the left, and follow the direction refuge de Moëde-Anterne, Col and Lac d'Anterne. Beacon 121.
- At the basin, either continue on the track, or take the path straight ahead (pedestrian shortcut). Caution, aerial passage! Beacon 134.
- Take the path on the left to Col d'Anterne.
- Continue straight on to the Col d'Anterne.
- Pass the mountain pass and go back down in the direction of Lac d’Anterne. Beacon 100.
- For the return, take the same route in the direction of Plaine-Joux
Altimetric profile
Sensitive areas
contact@cen-haute-savoie.org
Christelle BAKHACHE : 06 49 99 99 48
christelle.bakhache@cen-haute-savoie.org
Recommandations
Transport
Access and parking
Parking at the entrance of the station.
Bus line L85 (SAT Mont-Blanc).
Parking :
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