Chalet de la Maline

Chalet de la Maline sits at 893m in the lower Isère valleys, well-positioned for day hikes across the northern Vercors and approaches to Parc National des Écrins. Access is straightforward from the village of Entraigues—roughly 1.5 hours on foot through mixed forest and pasture. The hut works best as a base for shorter ridge walks and scrambles rather than a high-altitude hub, making it ideal for spring, autumn, and families doing moderate alpine terrain.
The chalet holds 44 beds across mixed dorms and smaller rooms. Meals are hearty and reliable—expect French country cooking rather than fine dining. The FFCAM kitchen runs year-round, though October to April sees reduced services on weekends only. Showers and basic toilets are standard. Staff are responsive and know the local trails well.
Book direct with the Club Alpin Français section managing the hut. Email is your best first contact for availability and special requests; phone works too if you need to confirm dates quickly. Summer weekends (especially July) fill fast—aim to reserve 4-6 weeks ahead. Mid-week slots are easier to secure. Half-board rates are standard for overnight stays.