General regulations
As a general rule
These regulations are subject to the rules of the Rural Code and Forest Code.
In general, it is prohibited to leave pets to roam, such that dogs must remain within earshot of their owner or of any sound instrument making it possible to call them back and “within sight”, i.e. less than 100 metres from their owner or the person responsible for them.
Furthermore, it is prohibited to walk dogs off-leash in forest areas off the forest paths from 15 April to 30 June each year (period during which wildlife reproduces). Dogs running loose can cause wild animals to flee and compromise the nesting of ground-breeding birds.
The mayors of the municipalities may also enact specific measures to prohibit the roaming of accompanying pets. Please refer to the decrees issued at the level of the municipalities to find out about these regulations.
In protected natural areas
The regulations concerning the presence of dogs in the various protected natural areas of the Park varies according to the site. See the regulations specific to each site HERE.
The regulations can also be found on the welcome panels of each site.
Please note that the presence of dogs, even kept on a leash, is prohibited in certain protected natural areas.
As a general rule
It is important to distinguish between bivouacking (setting up a light camp for one night, from one hour before dusk to one hour after dawn) and wild camping (setting up camp for several days in the same place).
Bivouacking and sleeping in the open are tolerated, except on private properties or with the agreement of the owner. There is no limit to the number of people or the number of tents per bivouacking site. However, bivouacking must be done in accordance with best practices in the natural environment. It is nonetheless recommended that you contact the municipal authorities to find out if there are any decrees at their level prohibiting this type of camping.
Many accommodation options (shelters, unguarded huts), free or paid, are available on the mountain range. Some helpful links are listed below:
Refuges of the French Federation of Alpine and Mountain Clubs
In protected natural areas
Within the Park’s protected natural areas, camping in tents, vehicles or any other shelter (including forest shelters) is prohibited.
Accommodation structures can be found at the perimeter of certain natural reserves.
The regulations concerning the Park’s protected natural areas can be viewed HERE.
Regulations specific to protected natural areas
The regulations for the Park’s protected natural areas can be viewed on the Quiétude Attitude website or that of the Park’s Nature Reserves.
The regulations can also be found on the welcome panels of each site.
In protected natural areas (natural reserves, biotope protection orders, biological reserves) non-compliance with regulations exposes offenders to a sanction.
Forest regulations
As a general rule
These regulations are subject to the rules of the Forestry Code.
Consequently, all year round, it is prohibited for anyone other than the owner of the land to carry or light an open flame on this land and up to a distance of 200 metres from the woods and forests.
The use of a stove is, however, tolerated.
In protected natural areas
It is forbidden to light fires, except in stoves and fireplaces in forest shelters.
Regulations pertaining to foraging
The harvesting of wild flowers and fruits is regulated in particular by the Civil Code, which prohibits any harvesting on others’ land. Land, a thatch or a forest always belong to someone, whether a private individual, a municipality or the State. Thus, as with mushrooms or blueberries, no foraging is allowed without the owner’s permission.
In practice, wild harvesting is generally tolerated, outside foraging areas, and must remain within “reasonable” removal volumes.
However, in the Hautes-Vosges, Arnica is the subject of a management agreement that organises harvesting because this area is the largest professional harvesting zone in France, and even in Europe. Within the framework of this organisation, it is provided that anyone wishing to harvest Arnica for family consumption should contact the owner municipalities to secure a harvesting permit. In the event of an inspection, permit-holders can thus show that they have complied with the protocol and are consequently spared any fines.
Notwithstanding, in 2020, given the very limited flowering of Arnica, particularly following the long spring drought, it is not considered reasonable practice to pick the flowers, which are few in number. When treated with care, the flowers can pollinate and sexually reproduce, and thus be maintained sustainably.
Foraging is a traditional practice in the mountain range. It is a regulated activity and comes under the right of ownership (foraging permit).
In the Vosges, foraging is limited to 5 litres/day in the forest, pursuant to the Forestry Code.
The Prefects at the departmental level may further detail these rules, so that foraging remains reasoned. Some municipalities specify the formats (family foraging, quantity, use of comb) and periods during which harvesting is possible.
In certain protected areas, in order to maintain the peace and quiet of the wildlife, foraging can be prohibited and offenders subject to a fine.
Quiet zones
In contrast to protected natural areas, quiet zones are not yet marked on the grounds. They can only be viewed on the Quiétude Attitude mapping portal.
However, in the medium term, signage is planned in the most sensitive sectors.
Waste in natural environments
Throughout the site, the deposit of waste is prohibited and regulated. Waste bins are at your disposal in some car parks. Where no bins are available, collect your waste and dispose of it at home.
Park fauna and flora
No animal species dangerous to humans are found on the massif, such that you can walk in peace.
Although some people may be concerned about the presence of the wolf and the lynx on the massif, these two species are harmless to humans and will avoid them as much as possible.
Although this could only occur by way of exception, given the very low number of individuals of these two species on the massif, should you come across one, please inform the Wild Carnivore Observatory.
The Groundhog is not found on the Park’s territory.
Three semi-clandestine introduction operations were carried out in the second half of the 20th century in the Vosges massif. Two of them were carried out in the Park (Hohneck and Grand Ballon sectors) and ended in failure. In contrast, the species appears to have kept itself up for several years on the third and last release site located in the Champ du Feu massif (67).
The Western capercaillie is a protected species in critical danger of extinction on the Vosges massif. Over the period 2010-2015, the number of Western capercaillie in the Vosges massif is estimated at less than one hundred individuals, and these numbers have continued to fall sharply in recent years. A variety of threats weigh on this species: modification and fragmentation of its habitat, disturbance, climate change, collision with electrical lines and ski lift cables.
A feasibility study is underway for genetic population enhancement.
Following their introduction in the 1950s, chamois have colonised the entire Vosges range. You can thus come upon them mid-day, at any time during your hike, whatever the trail you have selected. However, the Hohneck Range offers an environment favourable to this species with individuals accustomed to a high visitor numbers and therefore generally less wary. You can observe them in full daylight from the marked paths.
In general, wildlife needs to be left undisturbed during the hours when it is most active, at dawn and at dusk. We thus ask that you plan your sporting activities and attempts to observe wildlife to the full daylight hours.
The Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park covers a vast territory of more than 2,900 km2. It consists of a mosaic of natural environments that are home to a wide variety of fauna and flora. Out of the most remarkable natural areas are the Vosges forest, which covers 55% of the Park’s surface, the high stubble fields at altitudes of 1,000 m and above, the peat bogs and high-altitude lakes, and the dry limestone grasslands on the Alsatian foothills.
A recent inventory report of the Park’s biodiversity shows 1,379 species of flora. Some of the most emblematic species are: mountain Arnica, Vosges Pansy and Austrian Anemone on the high stubble fields, Aster amelle and Common Pulsatilla on the dry limestone grasslands, Round-leaved Sundew and Cranberry on the peat bogs, Pectinated Fir and Blueberry in the Vosges forests.
The 610 wildlife species identified include:
- 264 birds: Skylark, Crossbill, Spotted Nutcracker, Dipper, Peregrine falcon, Meadow pipit, Black woodpecker, Whinchat, etc.
- 125 butterflies: Gaze, Small silver-necked, Niobe fritillary, White-fasciated moth, Sylvander, etc.
- 70 mammals: Chamois, Forest Cat, Eurasian Beaver, Great Murin, etc.
- 61 dragonflies: Common hawker, Emerald damselfly, Black Darter, etc.
- 63 orthopterans: Alpine Miramella, Verrucivore Dectica, Vine Ephippigere, Cymbalid Grasshopper, etc.
- 15 amphibians: Alpine triton, spotted salamander, yellow belly bell, etc.
- 12 reptiles: Viviparous Lizard, Western Green Lizard, etc. One of the main responsibilities of the Regional Natural Park is to preserve the natural areas of its territory as well as the wild species that live there, some of which are particularly fragile.
Some of the above species, particularly the flora, are relatively easy to observe provided they are sought out in favourable environments during their flowering period. In contrast, where the fauna are concerned, observation is more difficult as these are wild species and, by definition, often discreet and unpredictable. Patience, binoculars and an identification manual will be needed if you want to catch sight of them.
We advise you to ask a mountain guide, who is qualified to accompany you in your experience of the Park’s natural environment, abiding by good conduct rules. Click HERE to see the list of mountain guides with the “Regional Natural Park Values” label.
If you prefer to experience the outdoors on your own, we invite you to view the map of quiet zones for wildlife as well as the good practices and regulations connected with these zones at the Quietude attitude website.
There are many different tree species in the Park, considering the diversity of physical and ecological climatic conditions. Their composition also reflects the territory’s human history, which has modified the original forest (logging, creation of pastures and meadows, hunting).
The Park has 42 different tree species. The main species in terms of volume are: Fir 30%, Spruce 29% (introduced species), Beech 13%, Oaks 5% (mainly Sessile Oak), Douglas Fir 5% (introduced species), Maple 4%, Ash 3% (declining due to disease), other hardwoods 10% (elm, lime, rowan, birch, alder, walnut, etc.), and the other two species (oak and oak).
Accessibility
- Whether by train, bus or shuttle, the Park offers many alternatives for moving around without your vehicle, in both winter and summer.
You can find more information via the links below:
Electric bike-charging stations are available at some of the Park’s hostel farms.
You can locate them by following the links below:
