Vélière lake and Chiaupe alpine pasture

An itinerary that takes you on the southern slope of the dale through beautiful mountain pastures and the ruins of Tovet.

Starting point : Champagny Le Haut, parking du Bois Arrival: idem Duration: 4:45 hrs (2:50 uphill) ATTENTION HERDS! In summer, nearly 200 heifers (cows raised for their meat) are gathered on the Tovet mountain pasture, and several hundred ewes and sheep are scattered on the slopes of the Vélière mountain pasture. The flocks are free to roam under the surveillance of patous dogs, trained to deter them. As soon as it senses a danger, the guard dog barks at the intruder. The intrusion of any element foreign to the herd (wild animal, dog not held on a leash, walker, mountain bike, etc.) can disturb the peace and quiet of the herd, disrupting its proper functioning and the work of the shepherd: it therefore puts the guard dog on the alert. When you approach, the patou will come and sniff you out to identify you. It then returns to its herd. Sometimes it may also try to intimidate you. To avoid them, when approaching a flock of sheep, KEEP YOUR DISTANCES : ➟ if you cross a flock, go well around the grazing or resting area of the ewes: in this way you respect the work of the shepherds without disturbing the animals; ➟ beware of behaviour that seems harmless to you: (trying to feed, stroke, take a picture of a patou, a sheep, a lamb...): the guard dogs can interpret them as an aggression! ➟ when faced with a guard dog, adopt a calm and passive behaviour to reassure it. If you are impressed, slowly turn back; ➟ dogs are not allowed in this area (even on a lead).