One of the simple, unexpected joys of a summer hike in the Alps is the opportunity to forage for wild food. For a family’s two sons hiking the Grand Tour de Tarentaise, the discovery of thickets of wild blueberries was a trailside highlight that connected them directly to the bounty of the land.
Between Refuge du Lac du Lou and Gittamelon, the path was lined with these natural treasures. The boys delighted in stopping to pick and eat the small, intensely flavoured berries. This act of foraging is a fun, engaging activity for children, turning the hike into a delicious treasure hunt.
This experience is a world away from buying berries in a plastic container at a supermarket. It’s a direct, sensory connection to the ecosystem, teaching a valuable lesson about where food comes from. The taste of a sun-warmed blueberry picked straight from the bush is a flavour that’s impossible to replicate.
These small moments of discovery are what make a family hike so special. They are not just about the grand vistas but also about the intimate interactions with the environment. The wild blueberry buffet on the trail to Gittamelon was a simple, sweet, and unforgettable taste of the “wonderfully wild” Alps.