Easy
About
Abri d'Anelle sits at 1750m in the Alpes-Maritimes, a working shelter serving the GR5 long-distance trail and approaches to peaks in the Parc National du Mercantour. The hut lies roughly 2 hours' walk from Valdeblore-la-Chapelle or from the Boréon valley trailhead. Most hikers approach from the south via Col de la Lombarde or Lac de la Fresse.
The shelter is basic and operates on a self-service model typical of FFCAM facilities in this region. It has capacity for around 8–12 people in mixed dormitory space. There are no hot meals or staff; bring your own food and fuel for cooking. A rainwater collection system supplies water. The shelter is open year-round but sees heavy snow cover from November through April, making winter access unreliable without proper winter mountaineering kit. Summer months (June through September) are practical for walking and light climbing in the Mercantour.
Book ahead if you plan to visit in July or August or intend to stay multiple nights. Contact the FFCAM Alpes-Maritimes section for current conditions and access updates. Mobile signal is weak or absent; pre-plan your arrival. Expect to find the shelter unmanned—arrive during daylight and bring headtorch, stove fuel, and extra food. Leave the shelter clean for the next party.
The shelter is basic and operates on a self-service model typical of FFCAM facilities in this region. It has capacity for around 8–12 people in mixed dormitory space. There are no hot meals or staff; bring your own food and fuel for cooking. A rainwater collection system supplies water. The shelter is open year-round but sees heavy snow cover from November through April, making winter access unreliable without proper winter mountaineering kit. Summer months (June through September) are practical for walking and light climbing in the Mercantour.
Book ahead if you plan to visit in July or August or intend to stay multiple nights. Contact the FFCAM Alpes-Maritimes section for current conditions and access updates. Mobile signal is weak or absent; pre-plan your arrival. Expect to find the shelter unmanned—arrive during daylight and bring headtorch, stove fuel, and extra food. Leave the shelter clean for the next party.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the Valdeblore mairie or FFCAM Alpes-Maritimes 2–4 weeks before your trip; this is a basic shelter with limited capacity (8–12 people) so early notice helps.
Abri d'Anelle is typically staffed June to September, though it may be accessible year-round as a self-service emergency shelter.
Approach from Valdeblore-la-Chapelle or Boréon valley trailhead (roughly 2 hours' walk), or via Col de la Lombarde from the south.
It's a basic self-service FFCAM shelter with mixed dorm beds for 8–12 people; bring your own sleeping bag and expect no hot meals or showers.
The 2-hour approach and 1750m elevation make it reasonable for fit hikers, but the basic facilities and self-service model suit experienced mountain users better than novices.
Location
44.2736, 6.8913
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HutLists Score
2.7
Overall
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Access
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Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
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