Refuge du Grenairon

Refuge du Grenairon sits at 1,974m in the Haute-Savoie, serving hikers working the lakes and ridges around Chamonix's eastern approaches. The hut is accessible from Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval via the Cirque du Fer à Cheval—a 2.5-hour climb through beech forest to the refuge. Scrambling terrain marks the final approach, but the path is straightforward. Summer access is reliable from mid-June through September; snow closes the route outside these months.
The refuge holds 35 beds split across shared dormitories. Half-board is the standard booking: dinner, breakfast, and use of the kitchen facilities. Showers are available on request. The guardians run the hut seasonally and serve straightforward Alpine fare. There is no WiFi. The setting works well for circuits linking Refuge de Joly and Refuge de la Balme, or as a base for peak bagging around the Cirque.
Book directly by email or phone at least one month ahead for July and August weekends. The hut fills quickly during school holidays and fair-weather spells. Phone calls work better than email for same-day space checks. Expect to pay around €50–65 for half-board. Winter closures are firm, so confirm the opening date before planning late-May or early-June visits.