Le Vieux Chéppy

Le Vieux Chéppy sits at 1,448m in the Chaîne des Aravis, between Thônes and Annecy in Haute-Savoie. The approach from Thônes village takes 2 hours on foot via a steady forest trail. Most hikers start from the car park at Le Praz and reach the hut in 90 minutes. The route is well-marked and suitable for walkers of moderate fitness, though mountain bikers also use the path to access the surrounding ridges.
The refuge operates as a simple staffed hut with capacity for around 40 guests in shared dormitory rooms. It serves evening meals (set menu, book ahead) and breakfast; packed lunches are available. Water comes from a reliable spring. Toilets are basic but functional. The hut opens from late May through September, operating year-round on weekends if weather permits. It sits at the junction of several walking routes: the ascent of Mont Charvin (2,409m, 4 hours), traverses toward the Chaîne des Aravis ridge, and links to longer multi-day itineraries in the massif.
Book directly by phone or email for summer weekends, particularly July and August when beds fill 4–6 weeks ahead. Mid-week visits outside school holidays are easier to accommodate. The hut accepts cash and cards. Half-board (bed plus dinner and breakfast) is the standard arrangement and offers better value than room-only rates. Bring waterproof layers; afternoon thunderstorms are common from June onward.