Cabin du Berger du Puy

Cabane du Berger du Puy sits at 2,750m in the Parc National des Écrins, in the remote upper Ubaye valley. The hut is a true backcountry refuge—tiny, basic, and only for serious hikers. Reach it from Maurin in 4–5 hours on foot. The trail climbs steeply through alpine pasture and scree. The final approach crosses boulder fields and requires scrambling ability. No mule track, no fixed cables. Winter snow makes access impossible before mid-July.
The cabin holds 8–10 people on foam mattresses in a single dormitory room. There is no guardian and no meals provided. Bring all food, fuel, and water-purification equipment. A small wood stove provides heat. The toilet is outside. The hut stays open year-round in theory, but it is genuinely isolated—expect to be self-sufficient. Most hikers use it as a base for climbing peaks in the range or as a bivouac on GR54 variants. This is not a staffed refuge; it is a climber's shelter.
Check conditions with the FFCAM or Parc des Écrins before attempting the approach. The hut is popular only among experienced mountaineers and competent off-trail hikers. There is no phone signal. There is no formal booking system—the hut is managed on an honor basis. Bring cash for the donation box if you use it. Do not rely on finding supplies, shelter, or help. Go only if you are confident moving in steep, rough terrain and managing alone.