Cabin ONF de l'Infernet

Cabane ONF de l'Infernet sits at 2,180m in the Hautes-Alpes, deep in the Parc National des Écrins. The cabin lies on the GR54 trail system, making it a natural stop for multi-day treks through the Écrins massif. Most hikers approach from the Valgaudemar valley to the west. The walk from Gîte de la Chapelle (at road-end) takes roughly 4 hours via the Pas de l'Alpette. Approach from the east via Boréon and the Lac de Malgovert is longer—allow 5 to 6 hours—but less crowded. Both routes gain around 1,000m elevation.

The ONF (Office National des Forêts) maintains this simple refuge as a working mountain hut, not a tourist facility. It sleeps 20 to 25 people in dormitory space. There are no showers. Water comes from a spring nearby. Meals are available if you book ahead: expect basic mountain fare—soup, pasta, cheese. The hut operates year-round, though winter access requires mountaineering experience and avalanche awareness. Summer crowds are manageable compared to high-altitude refuges; July and August are busiest but rarely overcrowded. The cabin works best as part of a longer Écrins traverse rather than a destination hike.

Book directly with the ONF Valgaudemar office or contact the Refuge du Gîte de la Chapelle, which coordinates access. Phone ahead in winter to confirm conditions. Bring a stove and fuel as backup—the hut's cooking setup is basic and sometimes overwhelmed in peak season.