The 2020 health crisis has given rise to a certain enthusiasm for nature, with an increase in the number of visitors to certain mountain spots. We are lucky to find incredible sites in Oisans. Biodiversity is preserved there. It must remain so in order to guarantee future generations a quality living environment.
Do your bit and adopt the right reflexes so that these spaces are always accessible and protected!
Bivouac: what is it?
Bivouacking means that you will sleep in a tent or under the stars, but above all in the middle of nature. Unlike camping, Bivouacking is an ephemeral practice. This means that you will have to set up your equipment in the evening and you will have to fold it away first thing in the morning. 19h to 9h, in general.
Enjoy the sunrise, it will be a feast for the eyes!
Bivouacking in Oisans,
how is it going?
Some sensitive areas are victims of their own success and require that the practice of bivouacking be regulated so that everyone can continue to enjoy these exceptional places while respecting the environment.
Bivouac areas in sensitive areas
Taillefer Massif
Bivouac on the plateau of Lake Fouchu
This is a classified sensitive area Natura 2000
- Fire and swimming are prohibited. Stoves are tolerated.
- Bivouacking is permitted from 19 p.m. to 9 a.m. only., in the intended area: See the regulations and near the Taillefer refuge (€5/tent upon reservation).
Ecrins Massif
Bivouacking at Lake Lauvitel and Lake Muzelle
These lakes are in the heart of the Écrins National Park. See the regulations
- Wild camping is prohibited.
- The tent must be small, not large enough to allow standing.
- The tent will need to be pitched after 19 p.m. and all folded material before 9h.
- Bivouacking is permitted in a tent for one night, or in exceptional cases, at most for the duration of bad weather likely to compromise the hiker's safety.
- The location of the bivouac must be located:
- either more than an hour's walk from a road access point or the limits of the heart of the Park,
- or less than an hour's walk in certain particular cases from the heart of the very busy Park: on the outskirts of Lake Muzelle at Venosc and at the Selles meadow next to Lake Lauvitel.
In both places, hikers must camp in the areas provided for this purpose.
The rules of bivouac
In Brief
To limit the impact of bivouacking on the mountain environment, certain behaviors are crucial :
- Bivouacking is generally permitted 19h to 9h.
- We don't do no fires. Stoves are tolerated.
- We don't leave no waste on site (whether biodegradable or not).
- We use the bivouac areas if there has.
- Water points are for animals and hikers, we do not contaminate them by dumping products or bathing in them (even if it is tempting).
- We do not settle in sensitive natural areas such as wetlands.
We simply enjoy what nature offers us, we admire, we preserve, we protect!
Bivouac near a refuge
This is tolerated. However, if you plan to eat in a refuge or ask for a picnic, you must notify us in advance and book.
In fact, due to its isolated location in the mountains, a refuge has limited stocks and in all cases sized for the capacity of the refuge… Campers are not part of it.
Bivouac in Isère
Prepare your bivouac, limit your impact, understand the regulations.
This booklet provides useful and essential advice for preparing a bivouac, the actions to take for an environmentally friendly bivouac as well as the regulations in the Isère massifs.
Good reflexes in the mountains
Or how to protect nature and prepare yourself