Cabin de Brouffier

Cabane de Brouffier sits at 2,154m in the Hautes-Alpes, on the GR54 circuit around Parc National des Écrins. The cabin is reached from Vallée du Vénéon via the hamlet of Bérarde—count on 2.5 to 3 hours of steady hiking from the car park. The approach follows a well-marked trail through larch forest before opening to alpine meadows. This is a practical base for accessing cols and peaks in the southern Écrins massif, including approaches to Pic de la Grave and Mont Viso.
Cabane de Brouffier is a small, unmanaged refuge with basic shelter. There is no staffed service, no meals provided, and no running water or electricity—bring all food, water, and a stove if you plan to cook. The cabin sleeps around 12 people on a first-come, first-served basis in dormitory-style bunks. It is open year-round but most accessible June through September; winter access requires winter mountaineering skills and avalanche awareness. The FFCAM maintains the structure as an emergency shelter.
Access is free. Arrive early in summer weekends as capacity fills quickly. There is no booking system—registration happens on an honour system logbook inside. Bring a sleeping bag, mat, and enough supplies for self-catering. The cabin can be cold even in July; bring insulating layers and a warm sleep system.