Cabin de Pra Joli

Cabane de Pra Joli sits at 2,337m in the Alpes-Maritimes, within the Parc National du Mercantour. The cabin perches on the eastern approach to Mont Bégo, a major objective for hikers and scramblers exploring the high valleys. Most parties approach from the Vallée de la Roya, starting from the Cirque de Valmasque trailhead. Plan 4-5 hours to reach the cabin depending on snow cover and your fitness. Winter approaches are serious and often require ice axes and crampons; summer is typically July onwards when snow clears the upper sections.
The cabin is a small stone refuge with 2 beds, making it more bivouac shelter than full-service hut. You'll find basic winter supplies, but no guardian, no meals, and no running water. Cooking fuel and a stove are present but fuel supplies are irregular. The hut stays open through summer, though winter viability depends on snowpack and your winter mountaineering skills. This is not a bed-and-breakfast operation—it's a climber's shelter for self-sufficient parties. Bring everything you need: food, water, stove fuel, warm layers, and a headtorch.
Book nothing—the cabin operates on a first-come basis. Check current conditions with Parc National du Mercantour before heading up, especially regarding snow, avalanche risk, and water availability. The approach requires mountain navigation skills and a good 1:25,000 map. Summer weekends attract scramblers heading to Mont Bégo (2,872m), so expect company on fair-weather Saturdays and Sundays.