Cabin Forestière des Blâches

1.5

Cabane Forestière des Blâches

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France Write a review

About

Cabane Forestière des Blâches sits at 2,184m in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, deep in the Parc National des Écrins. The hut is a remote forest cabin reached on foot from the Vallée de la Durance. The approach takes 4–5 hours from Pelvoux or the trailhead near Ailefroide. This is a serious walk in, not a tourist saunter: the path climbs steeply through larch forest and opens onto high meadows. The hut works as a base for ridge traverses, technical ascents in the Chaîne de la Meije, and long-distance touring across the park.
The cabin sleeps 8 people in a small dormitory and offers cold-water only facilities—expect the basics. There is no on-site food service. Bring your own stove fuel, food, and water. A caretaker is present during summer months (June–September); outside this window the hut is unguarded. The building itself is spartan but solid, with a wood stove you can use. Winter access is possible but requires mountaineering skills and avalanche awareness.
This is a self-catering refuge, so contact the Parc National des Écrins or the local FFCAM section (Club Alpin Français de Briançon) to confirm access and current conditions before departing. Book ahead during July and August when alpine hut traffic peaks. The hut fills quickly with groups running mountaineering courses or doing multi-day traverses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Book 2–3 months ahead for July and August, earlier if you're targeting a specific weekend; contact the warden directly by phone or email as this remote hut has no online system.

The hut is staffed June to September, though exact dates depend on snow conditions and the warden's availability.

Hike 4–5 hours from Pelvoux or the Ailefroide trailhead; the route climbs steeply through larch forest then opens onto high meadows—a serious approach, not a casual day walk.

The hut sleeps 8 in basic dormitory bunks; expect a wood stove for heating, a water source outside, and meals cooked by the warden if you've arranged them in advance.

No—the 4–5 hour approach is steep and exposed, best suited to experienced hill walkers; it's ideal for mountaineers using it as a base for technical climbs and ridge work in the Chaîne de la Meije.

Location

43.9309, 6.2587

Directions OpenStreetMap

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Don't forget to book

This hut takes bookings direct, so beds go to whoever asks first. Tell us your dates and we'll email you when it's time to reserve — with the hut's contact details.

We can't watch this hut's availability — it books direct. Give us your arrival date and we'll email you when it's time to get in touch, with the hut's phone and email.

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Independent of the hut and its alpine club. We never book or hold beds — the reminder just tells you when to get in touch, with the hut's own contact details.

HutLists Score

1.5

Overall

Facilities

Access

Season

Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.

Quick Facts

Managing club: PNF
Total: 8

Contact & Booking

Website: https://www.onf.fr/vivre-la-foret/activites-et-loisirs-en-foret/+/2071::gite-forestier-des-blaches.html

Activities

Hiking Mountaineering

Featured In

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