Everything there is to know about mountain huts when hiking

Get all the key information you need to prepare your hike to a mountain hut.

Feel like an escape to the mountains with family or friends for a day, overnight or a weekend? Set off with us to explore the magic of mountain huts, to experience an unforgettable adventure in the heart of nature! You’ll already have all the information you need to know about mountain huts!

Why stay at a mountain hut on a hike?

A mountain hut can be a stop-off point while passing through, used by hikers or mountaineers aiming for summits, or those enjoying a day-long hike. They offer the opportunity to enjoy a break on the terrace to savour a good omelette or refreshing drink, overlooking the scenery. But often we seek out the experience of spending a night in the mountains, with family or friends. Overnighting at a mountain hut is an unforgettable way to immerse yourself in the mountains, while also enjoying a certain level of comfort.

What exactly is a mountain hut?

A mountain hut is a shelter located at high altitude, in an isolated area, which is there to accommodate hikers, mountaineers or skiers on their mountain excursions. It offers rustic, communal accommodation, small or large, with basic services for hikers: a bed to sleep on, water for hydration and food to restore, all within a warm, welcoming environment! Mountain huts also facilitate access to higher mountain areas for mountaineers.

Everything there is to know about mountain huts when hiking

After physical exertion, some comfort

In most cases, as they are isolated in the mountains, mountain huts are reached on foot, by hiking there. Depending on the hut, it can take from a few minutes to several hours to reach it. This effort will make you appreciate your arrival at the hut that much more! First, you catch a glimpse of its outline from afar while climbing, then you gradually approach, until the long-awaited moment of discovering it up close... and the comfort that follows, sitting on the terrace, enjoying a delicious hot chocolate or a well-deserved slice of blueberry pie!

Disconnecting from the world "down below"

Spending a day or a night at a mountain hut means climbing to new heights, and leaving your daily worries behind, in the parking lot below the hiking route. It means discovering spectacular scenery, lakes and the surrounding summits. It means admiring the animals that may cross your path, including marmots, ibexes and chamois. It means getting back to basics, disconnecting from our smartphones to truly appreciate our surroundings. It allows your children to discover the simplicity of mountain life, and sharing an unforgettable feeling of togetherness. In short, it means living fully in the present!

A guarded or unguarded mountain hut?

Depending on the time of year, a mountain hut may be "guarded" (open) or "unguarded" (closed). It is guarded when the mountain hut caretaker and their team are present. Mountain huts are usually open over the summer season, from June to September, and sometimes in spring, for touring skiers. You must inquire with each shelter on a case-by-case basis. Even an unguarded mountain hut always has an accessible area, to ensure its primary function: to provide a shelter to itinerant hikers who would need to rest, get shelter and possibly spend the night.

Overnighting at a mountain hut, instructions for use

Have you decided to do a mountain hut-hike and spend a memorable evening at a mountain hut? Great, you certainly won’t regret it! There are certain things to know about it, however, and we’ll give you all the information you need!

Before leaving

The choice of which hike to do to take you to which mountain hut must be done considering the physical form of the group members. Try and define the expected duration of the trip, so you arrive at the hut some time during the afternoon, and you have some time to enjoy the scenery and get settled in before meal time. If you want to overnight at a mountain hut, it’s imperative that you make a booking beforehand, either telephonically, via email or on the hut’s website. Inform the caretaker if you have any particular dietary requirements (vegetarian, allergies, etc.). Finally, in the event of some last minute hold-up, or some delay in the itinerary, let your mountain hut caretaker know. They’re waiting for you, so they may be concerned about your non-arrival, and even alert the rescue services.

On arrival at the mountain hut

Once your mountain hut-hike has been completed, return to the building’s reception area. You’ll be asked to take off your boots, and swop your hiking boots to "croc"type slip-ons or "slide-on sandals", to keep the premises clean. Introduce yourself to the caretaker, who will give you all the information you need to know: your dormitory, where to put your belongings, and evening meal and breakfast times. Some mountain huts have showers, generally with an additional base cost. To fully enjoy the mountain hut experience and escape your usual routine, you could easily go without one!

A good shared meal

Finally, it’s time for dinner. Don’t be late, there’s no second service! Find your name on the table before meeting your fellow diners: and yes, in mountain huts, meals are communal! Lisa, a mid-mountain guide in the Alps, tells us: "this is my favourite time: around the table at a mountain hut, all walls come down. We talk with our fellow diners of all things, the day’s trip, or the summit we’re aiming for tomorrow, the rain or the good weather, all within a warm, welcoming environment, around a hearty meal to gain strength for the next day!" Once the meal has ended, the caretakers would appreciate a hand in clearing up and cleaning the table. This is also part of the mountain hut spirit!

Overnighting at a mountain hut

Before returning to your sleeping quarters, take a moment to enjoy a game of cards or browse through the many books available in the communal lounge. Lights are generally out early, so that the mountain hut environment is tranquil. So head to the dormitory, that you’ll most likely be sharing with other people, except if you’re offered the luxury of a private room (an option at some establishments). Lisa’s advice: "remember to bring along a headlamp, which will be useful when settling down in darkness or on a night walk to the toilets. Also, a pair of earplugs... there could be a snorer in the dormitory! And finally a sleeping bag or "sleeping bag liner", for hygiene and comfort purposes."

At dawn

After a good night’s sleep (we hope!), it’s off to breakfast. Breakfast time will have been communicated with you the night before. It may vary according to your expected schedule. This is, in any case, the time to build your strength before setting off to tackle the summits or look out for ibexes! Before leaving the mountain hut, check that you haven’t left anything behind in the dormitory, and take your waste along with you. In fact, mountain huts don’t collect waste: they are often in hard-to-reach places, supplies can be delivered either by helicopter, by 4x4 or sometimes even on foot. Needless to say, every gram counts!

5 ideas for mountain hut hikes in France

Are you planning to set off hiking in France, in the Pyrenees or in the Alps? We’ve compiled an exclusive selection of mountain hut hikes, all feasible and suitable for children:

Le Refuge de Miage (1,560 m), in the Mont-Blanc mountain range (Alps): a green oasis at the foot of the Dômes de Miage
Le Refuge du Col de la Vanoise (2,518 m), Vanoise National Park (Alps): for the best chance of seeing numerous marmots, opposite the Grande Casse, and you can admire the Lac des Vaches as you climb
Le Chalet-Refuge de Chamoissière (2,106 m), at the gateway to the Écrins National Park (Alps): to frolic in the surrounding meadows and streams
Le Refuge d'Ayous (1,980 m), in the Pyrenees National Park: a stone’s throw from the Ayous lakes, facing the Pic du Midi d’Ossau
Le Refuge de la Glère (2,153 m), in the Néouvielle massif (Pyrenees): to contemplate the granitic Néouvielle massif and its crystal clear lakes

FAQ: we’ll answer all your questions

How does a mountain hut work?

Mountain huts are located in high-lying areas, in mountain ranges such as the Alps or the Pyrenees, they are generally isolated and far from all amenities. They are managed by a caretaker and their team, who welcome hikers for a lunch break or an overnight stay, with or without half board. You need to book your overnight stay in advance.

What are the sleeping arrangements at a mountain hut?

Nights in mountain huts are generally spent in communal dormitories. Duvets, blankets and pillows are provided. You’ll need to bring a sleeping bag or a "sleeping bag liner" for hygiene and comfort purposes.

What outfit do you sleep in at mountain huts?

The climb to a mountain hut may have made you sweat, and you’ll look forward to changing into dry clothes on arrival. Temperatures can drop quickly at night, so ensure you have warm clothing, especially if you’re planning to spend some time stargazing! Don’t forget a headlamp so you can move around in the dorm without disturbing your room-mates.

Overnighting at a mountain hut: don’t leave anything behind!

Now you’re ready to set off on an adventure and discover the experience of a mountain hut! Here’s a summary of the key points to keep in mind:

remember to book your overnight stay in advance, and pay the caretaker before leaving the premises (check beforehand which payment methods are accepted: cash, cheques, bank cards, etc.)
Get information about access routes and the estimated hiking time
When sleeping in a dormitory, remember to bring: a head lamp, a silk sheet, and earplugs
At the end of the day, the temperature can drop quickly: remember to pack warm clothing
Water is precious! Save it! Mountain huts aren’t connected to traditional municipal service grids for drinking water. Owing to their isolated location, access to water may be challenging.
Remember to take your waste back down with you into the valley

And, first and foremost: Open your eyes wide to soak up the beauty that surrounds you, admire the flowers, observe the animals, contemplate the sunset and the sunrise, and take a little of this mountain magic back with you as you descend into the valley!

Antoine

Passionate about mountain adventures

Everything there is to know about mountain huts when hiking

Summary