Best huts around La Grave provide access to the challenging terrain of the Écrins Massif in the French Alps. This region is a known hub for freeride and mountaineering, characterized by high-altitude landscapes and the Romanche river valley. Huts serve as essential stops, offering shelter and sustenance in this mountain environment. The area features diverse natural features, including glaciers and mountain pastures.
Last updated: June 24, 2026
Highlight • Rest Area
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Highlight • Restaurant
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Highlight • Mountain Hut
Translated by Google •
Tip by
Sign up for free to discover even more huts and cabins around La Grave.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Very nice place where you can also take a shower if you are bivouacking in the neighboring area. The team is young and very friendly, the food is excellent. Go for it!
0
0
Cozy hut. Where you can eat and drink well.
0
0
Cozy cabin where you can enjoy good food and drinks.
0
0
A wonderful welcome at the Refuge des Clos, a short stop with an omelet and croque-monsieur. Excellent, I recommend it.
1
0
A very cozy inn with young, excellent cooks. A lovely place for a cup of coffee or a drink. You can also enjoy a delicious dinner. Choose a spot on the terrace or in the cozy indoor area. Also nice: staying in a private room or in the small dormitory. More info: www.auberge-du-savel.eatbu.com
0
0
Fantastic location for an overnight stay. There are small dormitories (bring a sleeping bag and a large pillowcase) and delicious food. Bivouacing is possible next to the hut. Tip: book well in advance during peak season. And the route across the Plateau d'Emparis is highly recommended!
0
1
The refuge welcomes you to spend the night, have a drink and eat on the terrace. The view is magnificent! If you book in advance and specify your dietary restriction, the managers will do their best to accommodate.
0
0
This little "secret garden", as the managers of the refuge describe it, is located above Lake Chambon, in the Écrins. The refuge has a capacity of 19 places, divided into two dormitories and has dry toilets outside. You can also enjoy a catering service all day long. Find all the information on the refuge website: https://www.lerefugedesclots.fr/le-refuge/
0
0
For easier access, the Refuge Evariste Chancel is a great option, reachable in about an hour from the cable car station near Puy Vachier Lake, making it suitable for families. It also offers amenities like a shower and restaurant. Another family-friendly spot is the Auberge du Savel, which offers a relaxing atmosphere and dining options.
Many huts offer spectacular mountain views. From the Pic du Mas de la Grave Refuge, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° panorama of the Écrins, Aiguilles d'Arves, Grandes Rousses, Savoie, and Mont Blanc. The Refuge des Aiguilles d'Arves also boasts a terrace with magnificent views. The Refuge Evariste Chancel provides a superb viewpoint over the valley of the Haute Romanche and La Grave village, while Refuge du Promontoire offers breathtaking views of the Vallon des Étançons.
Absolutely. The Refuge du Promontoire is the crucial starting point for the famous crossing of La Meije, considered one of the most beautiful climbs in the Alps. The Pic du Mas de la Grave Refuge is an ideal stage for climbing the Mas de la Grave peak. Refuge de la Selle is a key starting point for various mountaineering routes, including the Col du Replat and Le Râteau. Refuge Adèle Planchard serves as a classic starting point for ascents of the Grande Ruine and Roche Méane.
The region offers diverse outdoor activities. Near the huts, you can enjoy extensive hiking, mountaineering, and in winter, off-piste skiing, snowboarding, and telemarking. For cycling enthusiasts, there are numerous routes available, including challenging MTB trails and gravel biking options. You can explore more about these activities in the MTB Trails around La Grave, Gravel biking around La Grave, and Cycling around La Grave guides.
The Alpe refuge at Villar-d'Arène is known for its friendly atmosphere, run by a charming family in the middle of mountain pastures. The Refuge Evariste Chancel, inaugurated in 1896, has a warm and friendly atmosphere and historical significance. Refuge du Promontoire, originally built of wood in 1901, offers an exhilarating sense of high-mountain adventure with its location 'clinging to the rocks'.
The best time to visit depends on your planned activities. Summer (June to September) is ideal for hiking and mountaineering, with beautiful flowers in June. Many huts are open and guarded during this period. Winter and spring are popular for ski touring, off-piste skiing, and snowboarding, with some huts like Refuge du Promontoire and Refuge Adèle Planchard serving as key stages for winter tours. Always check specific hut opening dates before planning your trip.
Yes, Refuge Adèle Planchard, as the second highest guarded refuge in the Écrins Massif at 3,169 meters, offers a 'beautiful ambiance sauvage' (wild atmosphere). It is an isolated and less-frequented hut, ideal for those seeking a true high-mountain experience away from crowds. Its access can be a long and difficult 7-hour hike, contributing to its secluded feel.
The area around La Grave is rich in natural beauty. Near the Alpe refuge at Villar-d'Arène, you'll find yourself in the middle of mountain pastures at the foot of glaciers. The Refuge Evariste Chancel is close to Puy Vachier Lake, offering tranquility. The Pic du Mas de la Grave Refuge provides access to the Emparis plateau and its lakes. The Vallon du Diable, where Refuge de la Selle is located, is known for its beautiful flowers in June and stunning granite formations.
Visitors frequently praise the stunning mountain views, the warm and friendly atmosphere of many huts, and the excellent starting points they offer for various outdoor adventures. The opportunity to disconnect from modern life, enjoy delicious meals, and experience the challenging yet rewarding terrain of the Écrins Massif are also highly valued. The komoot community has shared 27 photos and given 99 upvotes to the huts in this region, highlighting their appeal.
Yes, several huts in the region prioritize sustainability. The Refuge du Promontoire is known for using environmentally friendly solutions like solar power. The Refuge Evariste Chancel is autonomous, relying on a solar park with batteries for electricity and using snowmelt for water in winter. The Pic du Mas de la Grave Refuge is also energy self-sufficient, utilizing a wood-burning stove, solar hot water, and photovoltaic panels.
Many huts provide catering services. The Refuge des Clots offers catering services all day long. The Refuge Evariste Chancel has a restaurant and even offers a cheese fondue set. The Pic du Mas de la Grave Refuge is known for delicious meals, and the Auberge du Savel is an ideal place to take a break and enjoy good food and drinks.
Refuge du Promontoire is a key stage on the 'Tour de la Meije ski tour' in winter and spring. Refuge Adèle Planchard is also a popular stage for spring ski touring, including the 'Tour de la Meije'. The Refuge Evariste Chancel is a popular spot for off-piste skiing, snowboarding, and telemarking due to its unpisted and unpatrolled terrain.


Find more beautiful huts and cabins around La Grave by checking out the top ones in these nearby places: