The Transalpins - Crossing the Alps in the footsteps of the wolf
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Time to read 4 min
Jules, Joseph, and Joé joined the Lagoped Family in March 2024, as they prepare to set off on an expedition between France, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia, across the Alps. Meet these three young people passionate about the mountains and their inhabitants.
Who are the Transalpins?
We are Jules, Joseph, and Joé, three students in agronomy and environment who hold the mountains close to our hearts. For our gap year, we have taken on the challenge of crossing the Alps on foot, from Nice to Ljubljana via Switzerland and Italy. We don’t just want to hike; we are putting this challenge at the service of reflections dear to us. We will cover these 1700 km carrying all the equipment needed to produce a documentary on the perception of the wolf by the people of our mountains.
JOSEPH LEROY - Engineering and health
Since I was little, I have been hiking through different mountain ranges in summer and winter to photograph their landscapes and wildlife. A challenge of this scale is an opportunity for me to put my two main passions—sports and mountain biodiversity—at the service of ecosystem preservation.
JOE METZGER - Environmental management and engineering
I have been trekking through various French mountain ranges (Alps, Pyrenees, Corsica) for years, recharging there whenever I have free time. Today, as I specialize in environmental management, I feel the need to add meaning to this hobby. Popularizing ecology through hiking? Accepted!
JULES DERUELLE - Agronomy, sectors and territories
I had long dreamed of doing the GR5, crossing the French Alps. So today, undertaking this major project combining a sporting challenge and documenting the links between environmental management and agriculture drives me to fully commit to its success.
Why walk in the Alps in the footsteps of the wolf?
The returning wolf disrupts the daily lives of environmental and agricultural stakeholders. Through this walking approach, we want to meet shepherds, hunters, scientists, and more. We will gather their testimonies and, upon our return, we will attempt the impossible synthesis that is the question of the wolf in the Alpine arc. While trying to gauge this tense ground, our film will tell the story of three stubborn people quietly seeking moments of friendship.
The French Alps
The first stage of our adventure: the French Alps, which offer a great diversity of landscapes and agricultural wealth. The Mercantour, Écrins, and Vanoise National Parks. The Ubaye valley (Sisteron lamb), the Grésivaudan valley (AOP Grenoble walnuts), and the Maurienne valley (Savoy cheeses).
The Swiss Alps
The second country of our trek, Switzerland, a great Alpine country, is covered by nearly 61% of its territory. The Gruyère Pays d’en Haut Regional Natural Park and the Entlebuch biosphere listed by UNESCO. The canton of Valais (Gruyère country) and the canton of Glarus (extensive agriculture).
The Italian Alps
After several detours at the start of the journey, we will return to the Italian Alps.
The mountain ranges of Trentino-South Tyrol and the Dolomites. The environmental and landscape richness due to numerous protected areas (Natura 2000). Fruit and vegetable farming (39%) and viticulture (21%).
The Slovenian Alps
Despite its small size, Slovenia is home to the end of the Alpine chain where the country's only national park is located. At the heart of the Julian Alps, the Triglav National Park and its summit. Beekeeping, Styrian hops, Nanoški sir cheese, hemp, and the Teran grape variety.
1668km across 4 countries
93km of positive/negative elevation gain
10 national parks crossed
One goal: raise awareness about the preservation of Alpine ecosystems by documenting the impact of environmental management by natural parks and the integration of agricultural sectors
Why choose Lagoped hiking clothes?
Students and trekking enthusiasts for only a few years, we did not have the necessary equipment for this expedition; whose prices often peak as high as the summits. That is why we warmly thank the members of Lagoped who make our epic journey possible while allowing us to stay true to our convictions.
The wardrobe of Transalpine students
ALBIOS, the association encouraging AgroParisTech students on hiking projects
Albios, a non-profit association under the 1901 law, was created in April 2023 by three engineering students at AgroParisTech. Our initiative is to support AgroParisTech gap-year students on trekking projects in the major mountain ranges around the globe. The association aims to provide a legal framework as well as financial support to generations of AgroParisTech students undertaking these expeditions with sporting, scientific, and informative objectives.
Promote the accessibility of the sporting challenge:
Albios' primary goal is to show that hiking is a sport accessible to everyone. Major mountain routes are often known to be used by trained athletes. We want to show that the same paths can be traveled worldwide... at a leisurely pace. Each project led by Albios will be accompanied by a customized itinerary based on each person's goals.
Observe while hiking:
The scientific aspect of this association is inherent to its place within a life sciences engineering school. Hiking will be an opportunity to study mountain landscapes, wildlife, and flora, but also to take a look at agriculture, the environment, and the relationships populations have with their territories.
Share an experience:
Of course, all this would make less sense if it weren't to share the results of our expeditions. Albios members will use their scientific knowledge and skills to popularize, raise awareness, and share discoveries and reflections with as many people as possible.
