Walk from Bellevue to the col de Voza mountain pass

The plants of the mountain pasture are mostly grasses (herbs) associated with multicolored flowers with pretty names such as Gentian, Willowherb, Holy Clover, Starthisles, Maidenstears, Bellflower...However, this enchanting scenery is in fact an adaptation to the harsh mountain environment.

At this altitude, the favourable period for vegetation growth being very short due to the presence of snow for many months, plants have to develop ingenious solutions to succeed their reproductive process within this time. One of the tricks is to have large, colorful corollas to attract pollinators.

The plants of the mountain pasture are mostly grasses (herbs) associated with multicolored flowers with pretty names such as Gentian, Willowherb, Holy Clover, Starthisles, Maidenstears, Bellflower...However, this enchanting scenery is in fact an adaptation to the harsh mountain environment.

At this altitude, the favourable period for vegetation growth being very short due to the presence of snow for many months, plants have to develop ingenious solutions to succeed their reproductive process within this time. One of the tricks is to have large, colorful corollas to attract pollinators.

With their dark, stocky bodies and black-tipped horns, you might make you think of a herd of bulls. But no! These are battle cows: the Hérens. This Swiss breed from Val d'Hérens valley in the canton of Valais is also appreciated for its meat and milk. These cows naturally fight to determine dominance in the herd. These cow fights, known as the” Combats des reines” are organized between the dominants (the queens) of each herd, in order to designate the queen of the canton or the valley.

A pioneer in high-altitude accommodation as early as the beginning of the 19th century, it closed in 1980.
At the end of the 1990s, there was will to rebuild this hotel, located in the classified site of the Mont-Blanc massif. 10 years and 3 projects later, the building permit had been finally validated! The establishment aims to be the first “passive” hotel in France: very low energy consumption, mainly thanks to the heat of the sun. Opening is scheduled for 2010! But because of non-compliance with the building permit, this hotel ‘new generation’ did never open...

A very small but important bird!
A characteristic species of grasslands and feeding mainly on insects and spiders, it is an excellent indicator of the biological quality of the grasslands it is living on. It lives here in this mountain pasture.

Perched on tall plants, the male, an indefatigable singer, watches over the female during breeding season. But that does not protect it from all dangers. The nest, which is built on the ground, makes the brood very vulnerable. So be careful! Remember to keep your dogs on a leash during the spring!