Chalet de Roche Coutant

Chalet de Roche Coutant sits at 2,756m in the Hautes-Alpes, on the eastern flank of the Massif du Pelvoux within Parc National des Écrins. Approach from Vallouise via the Gîte du Pré de Madame Carle trailhead. The route climbs steeply through alpine meadow and scree, taking 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on snow. The hut lies on the main approach to Mont Pelvoux (3,946m) and serves mountaineers preparing for high-altitude objectives as well as summer hikers crossing the upper Pelvoux basin.
The chalet operates year-round as a staffed mountain refuge under FFCAM management. It has 70 beds in dormitory rooms. The guardian provides hot meals (dinner and breakfast included with bed) and simple lunches. Water comes from snowmelt and mountain sources. There is no electricity, heating comes from a wood stove, and toilets are basic. July and August see full occupancy; shoulder months (June, September) are quieter. Winter visits are possible but require prior arrangement and mountaineering skills to access.
Book by phone or email directly with the hut guardian. The refuge keeps a paper logbook and typically has space outside peak weeks, but July weekends and mid-August fill 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Email is more reliable than phone during high season. Expect to pay around €30–40 per person with half-board. Arrive by mid-afternoon to secure a place and allow time for acclimatization before early starts on Mont Pelvoux routes.