Ex-Maison Forestière de Plan-Bas
2.0About
Ex-Maison Forestière de Plan-Bas sits at 1850m in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, deep in the backcountry between the Ubaye Valley and the high plateaus. Access is on foot only: from Barcelonnette allow 4–5 hours via the GR56, or approach from the south via Plan-Bas and the shepherd tracks (3–4 hours depending on your trailhead). This is genuine mountain solitude, not a destination hut.
The building is a converted forest ranger's lodge offering basic shelter with just 1 bed available. There is no staffing, no meals service, and no commercial operations. You bring your own food and sleeping gear. The hut provides a roof, walls, and minimal facilities—assume no running water or heating beyond what you generate yourself. This is a refuge for emergencies or self-sufficient parties, not a social hub. Open year-round in theory, but winter access is serious mountaineering terrain; most use occurs June to September.
Contact the Parc National des Écrins or the Barcelonnette town hall (Mairie) for current access conditions and booking protocols. Few huts in this category have formal reservation systems—expect to check availability locally or confirm you can access the building. Plan for complete self-sufficiency: water, fuel, food, and emergency kit. This is not a beginner's stop.
The building is a converted forest ranger's lodge offering basic shelter with just 1 bed available. There is no staffing, no meals service, and no commercial operations. You bring your own food and sleeping gear. The hut provides a roof, walls, and minimal facilities—assume no running water or heating beyond what you generate yourself. This is a refuge for emergencies or self-sufficient parties, not a social hub. Open year-round in theory, but winter access is serious mountaineering terrain; most use occurs June to September.
Contact the Parc National des Écrins or the Barcelonnette town hall (Mairie) for current access conditions and booking protocols. Few huts in this category have formal reservation systems—expect to check availability locally or confirm you can access the building. Plan for complete self-sufficiency: water, fuel, food, and emergency kit. This is not a beginner's stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the hut directly well ahead—capacity is just 1 bed, so availability is extremely limited and coordination essential.
Typically June to October, but confirm dates and staffing status before planning your trip, as this is a minimal-capacity refuge.
Access is on foot only: 4–5 hours from Barcelonnette via the GR56, or 3–4 hours from the south via Plan-Bas shepherd tracks.
It's a converted forest ranger's lodge with basic shelter, 1 bed, and no running water or hot showers—bring a sleeping bag and expect very primitive conditions.
No—this is a remote backcountry shelter for experienced hikers and mountaineers comfortable with solitude and self-sufficiency, not a beginner destination.
Location
44.3151, 6.5179
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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.
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