On the trail of the Alpine Ibex in Switzerland
- By
- Aparna Patel
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- 3 Aug, 2023
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If you were reasonably mobile (on foot) I would recommend the Bordier Hut at the Ried Glacier: http://bordierhuette.ch/
Ibexes get as close as a few feet to the hut each evening. They are basically at arms reach. I once even saw a female with her young there: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fotoniggi/28928387366/in/album-72157671483723432/ (taken by me in August 2016)
I recommend going to Creux du Van, Canton of Neuchatel, Switzerland. It is not in the Alps, but in Jura. Tt is very close to 100% sure you see an Ibex there. They normally don’t flee there, cause you are standing above them on the cliff and they are at least 15 meter below you. And they know you cannot get there
And the best: you can drive by car to the restaurant “Le Soliat” (click for map). 150 m from the rim. But for the Ibex you may have to go some 100m or more further.
Probably the road is closed in winter when there is snow, I don’t know.
If you are able to take a cable car, then Niederhorn (Hotel on top) would be a good option. Sights are very common (friends were there with large telephotolenses – and the Ibex were too close for them).
Another tip: Stay in a mountain hotel for the night, there are many accessible by car. In the morning and evening chances are best to see wildlife.
If you cannot walk, you will not be able to get there; the lac is in the middle of the mountains.
The closest you can get by car would be Verbier, it is a ski town, and get as high as possible with a ski lift (chairlift or cabin) and see if you can walk around a “little bit”.
As to seeing the animals, good luck, I imagine that even for experienced trekkers and photographers, it is hard, and you would probably need a long zoom (400mm or better) to get a nice picture of them.
Credit:stackoverflow.com‘