Donkey trekking in the Alps
Our donkey trekking holidays in the Alps
Discover the Alps, its flowery alpine pastures and spectacular panoramas at a donkey's pace.
Discover the Alps on a hike with a donkey
Going on a hike with a donkey in the Alps is a unique experience that combines mountain exploration, gentle trekking, and immersion in spectacular landscapes. Here, the trails wind between alpine valleys, larch forests, open pastures, and small mountain villages where time seems to slow down.
Contrary to popular belief, the mountains are perfectly suited to hiking with a donkey as a family. The routes are chosen to be gradual and accessible , allowing you to walk at the animal's leisurely pace while fully enjoying the panoramic views.
In the Alps, hiking becomes a true adventure: you traverse diverse landscapes, observe mountain wildlife, and stop by a stream or alpine pasture for a well-deserved break. The donkey, a faithful companion on the trail, carries the luggage and motivates children who discover hiking with enthusiasm.
Hiking with a donkey in the mountains: what's it like?
A donkey trek in the Alps typically takes place over several days, with stages adapted to the mountain terrain. Before setting off, a professional donkey handler will welcome you for a comprehensive training session: preparing the pack saddle, basic care, leading the donkey, and practical advice for hiking independently.
Once you're ready, you set off on the trails with your hiking companion. The donkey carries the luggage and can also help the children if they get tired. Its steady pace—about 3 km/h—allows you to naturally adopt a peaceful rhythm, ideal for enjoying the alpine scenery.
Each stage ends in comfortable accommodation: a mountain lodge, a bed and breakfast, or a small, friendly refuge, but also a bivouac, which in the mountains is always a fabulous experience to share with family. In the evening, after the hike, we share a warm meal and enjoy the tranquility of the mountains.
Diverse alpine territories to discover with a donkey
The French Alps offer an exceptional diversity of landscapes for hiking with a donkey.
In the Champsaur , a vast open valley surrounded by peaks, the trails wind through alpine pastures, forests, and small hamlets. Panoramic views of the Écrins National Park mountains accompany the walk in a gentle and luminous atmosphere.
The Ubaye Valley , in the heart of the Southern Alps , offers wild and unspoiled routes. Between mountain villages, alpine meadows and panoramic passes, the landscapes are particularly spectacular.
The Queyras , often considered one of the most beautiful Alpine massifs, also offers an ideal setting for long-distance hiking. Traditional villages, larch forests, and high-altitude pastures create landscapes of great authenticity.
In the Northern Alps , the Vercors offers a different atmosphere, made up of wild plateaus, deep forests, and impressive cliffs. It's a perfect area for hiking with a donkey in the heart of nature, far from the tourist crowds.
An accessible and user-friendly experience
Contrary to the sometimes demanding image of the mountains, a donkey trek in the Alps can be perfectly suited to families and beginner hikers. The routes are carefully chosen to be gradual, with balanced distances and reasonable elevation gains.
The donkey plays a vital role in this adventure: it carries the luggage, accompanies the walk, and creates a natural bond between the participants. The children quickly become attached to it, transforming the hike into a true family adventure.
Walking with a donkey also means rediscovering a slower pace. You take the time to observe the mountain flowers, to listen to the bells of the herds in the alpine pastures or to stop by a stream for a break.
Donkey treks suitable for the whole family
Carefully selected donkey treks
For over twenty years, we have lived with donkeys and organized hikes on our farm in Burgundy. This experience now allows us to carefully select the donkey treks we offer in the Alps.
Each partner donkey handler is chosen for their professionalism, knowledge of the area, and commitment to animal welfare. The routes and stops have been tested to guarantee an authentic, accessible, and safe experience.
If you wish to discover the mountains in a different way, a hike with a donkey in the Alps is a beautiful way to experience a gentle and immersive adventure, in the heart of some of the most spectacular landscapes in France.
Discover our donkey trekking holidays in the Alps and let yourself be guided by the tranquil pace of your traveling companion.
Looking for different landscapes for your donkey trek?
Discover also our hikes with a donkey in Ardèche, Auvergne, the Loire Valley or the Cévennes, to experience a gentle journey in totally different atmospheres.
