Red deer rut: a true autumn wildlife spectacle!

Spotting wildlife on the Tour du Mont Blanc or Chamonix Zermatt Haute route is always an exciting moment. Whether it’s a majestic ibex on a mountain cliff, a fluffy marmot bathing in the sun or a golden eagle soaring through the sky, a wildlife sighting always adds something magical to your hike.

And during late September, early October, something very special happens.

Lots of testosterone

At this time of year, Red deer (Cervus elaphus) are in rut and dominant males are battling each other for the right to hold a harem of hinds. And with all that testosterone rushing through their bodies the males are incredibly noisy. When the evening falls, loud roaring noises resonate through the mountain forests, which makes the red deer rut one of the most exciting autumn wildlife spectacles in the Alps.

Roar like a lion

That’s why this is my favourite time of the year to go for an evening stroll, wandering through the mountain forests in the Chamonix valley. Especially near Buet (between the little villages of Vallorcine and Argentière) there are lots of red deer around. The best time to start this evening adventure is before the sun sets behind a mountain to find a spot to sit down. Soon incredible sounds will rise up from the forest all around you. The impressive roaring calls of male red deer resonate in the cold autumn air and will probably remind you of the roars of African lions.

Triumph

And if you’re sitting next to a clearing in the forest you might be lucky enough to see some fearsome action when red deer males emerge from the trees, leaving the protection of the forest behind, showing off their strength and antlers. Perhaps you’ll even get to see them battling each other while smashing their antlers together, followed by an impressive triumphal roar produced by the winning male.

Keep safe!

But be careful, you wouldn’t want to get involved in one of these battles. So keep a safe distance!

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Simone van Velzen

In her work as an alpine naturalist Simone adds an exciting new dimension to your Tour du Mont Blanc trek with insights into the incredibly rich flora and fauna of the Alps. Simone studied Wildlife Management at the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands. After her studies she left her home country (which is flatter than a pancake) and moved to British Columbia. In the Canadian Rockies, she discovered the astonishing richness of mountain environments. Her passion for mountain nature was born. And when she returned to Europe, she based herself in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the perfect setting for exploring and studying the natural history of mountain environments. As an alpine naturalist she writes for outdoor magazines and leads excursions in the natural world.

If you step into the natural world with Simone, her passion for all living things—wild flowers to lichen, birds to mammals—can’t help but rub off on you. She’s excited to meet you on your Tour du Mont Blanc and share the amazing natural wonders in the Alps.

Latest posts by Simone van Velzen (see all)

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