Gite D'alpage de Dorbon

Gîte D'alpage de Dorbon sits at 1,850m on the Plateau d'Emparis in the Parc National des Écrins, above the Romanche valley. The easiest approach is from Entraigues, a 3-hour walk gaining 650m through forest and alpine meadow. From Col de la Lauze (2,518m) on the D1091, a 1.5-hour descent through pasture reaches the gîte directly. This is a working summer alpagè: expect sheep, cowbells, and a landscape shaped by grazing.
The gîte is basic and honest. Twenty beds across simple dormitories. Meals are family-style and hearty—local cheese, bread, and mountain cooking. Drinking water is available on-site. There are no showers. The season runs June through September, depending on snow melt and pastoral use. This is a place to sleep warm and eat well before moving on, not to linger in comfort.
Contact the gîte directly by email or phone to book. Summer weekends fill quickly, especially July and August—aim to reserve at least 2–3 weeks ahead. Weekdays are quieter. The gîte caters to hikers traversing the Plateau d'Emparis toward Périer or following trails into Parc de la Vanoise, so plan your route before you call.