Refuge de l'Alpe du Pin
2.6
Hautes-Alpes, France
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About
Refuge de l'Alpe du Pin sits at 2,000m in the Écrins massif, above the village of Orcières-Merlette in the Hautes-Alpes. Reach it on foot from Orcières (1,450m) via a steady 2.5-hour climb through larch and spruce forest. The hut serves as a staging point for day trips to Col de Cabre (2,413m) and traverses across the eastern Écrins. Mountain bikers use the access road in summer. Snow typically blocks the route from November through April.
The refuge operates year-round with 30 beds in simple dormitory rooms. The guardian serves hearty dinners and breakfasts; bring your own packed lunch or order in advance. Water comes from a spring. Toilets are basic but functional. This is a working mountain hut, not a hotel—expect stripped-down comfort suited to active hikers. Wi-Fi and mobile signal are unreliable.
Book ahead July through September and during school holidays (especially Easter). Contact the hut directly by phone or email to confirm availability and pre-order meals. Many visitors make this a one-night stop on longer Écrins crossings rather than a destination in itself. Arrive before dark. The guardian occasionally closes for maintenance in shoulder seasons, so verify opening dates before planning your trip.
The refuge operates year-round with 30 beds in simple dormitory rooms. The guardian serves hearty dinners and breakfasts; bring your own packed lunch or order in advance. Water comes from a spring. Toilets are basic but functional. This is a working mountain hut, not a hotel—expect stripped-down comfort suited to active hikers. Wi-Fi and mobile signal are unreliable.
Book ahead July through September and during school holidays (especially Easter). Contact the hut directly by phone or email to confirm availability and pre-order meals. Many visitors make this a one-night stop on longer Écrins crossings rather than a destination in itself. Arrive before dark. The guardian occasionally closes for maintenance in shoulder seasons, so verify opening dates before planning your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2–3 months ahead for July and August; the hut has only 30 beds and fills quickly in peak season.
Open year-round, but the hiking route is snow-blocked November through April; best visited June to October.
Walk from Orcières village (1,450m) in 2.5 hours on a steady forest trail; the access road is also open to mountain bikes in summer.
30 simple beds and meals provided; no shower, so bring a wash kit.
Yes—the 2.5-hour climb from Orcières is steady and well-marked, making it ideal for fit hikers new to refuges.
Location
44.9448, 6.1744
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2.6
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Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
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