Carlaveyron Nature Reserve

Nestled at the southern end of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, in the commune of Les Houches, the Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron is home to a mosaic of environments favorable to numerous species.

The Carlaveyron Nature Reserve is located at the southern end of the Aiguilles Rouges massif, in the commune of Les Houches. Its 598 hectares have been protected since 1991.

The Carlaveyron plateau is a veritable sanctuary of biodiversity. The altitude, relief and soil conditions are conducive to the development of wetlands: peat bogs, low marshes and ponds. These environments are home to the Cordulie des Alpes, a dragonfly emblematic of high-altitude wetlands, as well as remarkable plants such as the Droséra, the Rubanier à feuilles étroites and the Laîche de Magellan - a rare plant found in France only in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Amphibians such as the Red-legged Frog and the Alpine Newt also find refuge here; the latter is dressed in its nuptial finery of glowing red hues as breeding approaches. In fine weather, ibex and chamois come to feed and quench their thirst.

At the upper limit of the forest, black grouse move between blueberry and rhododendron moors and alpine meadows. Further down, the beech-fir forest of the Diosaz gorges hides rare and protected species. In the wet valleys, shady ravines and moss-covered gneiss walls, the Lynx shares its territory with insects that love dead wood, the Hazel Grouse, the Golden Eagle and the discreet Three-toed Woodpecker.

Regulations :
- Dogs prohibited
- Garbage prohibited
- Fires prohibited
- Flower picking prohibited
- Overflight prohibited
- Camping prohibited, reservations required for bivouacs
- All sound equipment prohibited
- Inscriptions on rocks, markings and signs prohibited
- All advertising referring to the nature reserve is prohibited
- Work prohibited, including the installation of new climbing routes