Cabin de Pré Gaudet

Cabane de Pré Gaudet sits at 2,587m in the Hautes-Alpes, on the eastern slopes of the Massif du Pelvoux within Parc National des Écrins. The hut is a 4-5 hour walk from Vallouise village via the Gioberney Valley, following a well-marked path that gains 1,100m elevation. You can also approach from Ailefroide to the north, which takes roughly the same time. This is not a roadhead-to-hut walk; you'll need solid fitness and mountain legs.
The cabin is a small, basic refuge run by the FFCAM. It sleeps around 20 people in dormitory quarters. Meals are simple but sustaining—expect hearty soups, pasta, and seasonal vegetables cooked on a wood stove. Water comes from a spring nearby. There's no electricity or shower facilities. The season runs July through September; winter access requires mountaineering skills and winter climbing experience. This is a working mountaineer's hut, not a leisure facility, and the atmosphere reflects that.
Book direct with FFCAM or contact the Vallouise tourist office for current contact details and availability. July and August fill quickly, especially weekends. Aim to book at least 4-6 weeks ahead during summer. The hut serves climbers tackling peaks around Pelvoux and Col des Écrins, so expect a mix of nationalities and serious mountain folk. Bring a sleeping bag liner; blankets are provided but thin.