Refuge des Estaris
3.1About
Refuge des Estaris sits at 2,570m in the Chaîne de l'Épine, a quiet corner of the Hautes-Alpes between the Durance valley and the Parc National des Écrins. The standard approach is from Ancelle (1,340m), a 5–6 hour trek gaining 1,230m on a clear trail through larch forest and alpine meadow. You can also reach it from Puy-Saint-André (1,850m) in 3–4 hours via a steeper variant. Neither route is technical, but both demand fitness and steady legs.
The refuge is a working mountain hut run by FFCAM. It sleeps around 30 people in shared dorms. Meals are served family-style at set times—book half-board or full-board ahead. The building has no shower, cold water only, and pit toilets; expect basic Alpine comfort. It operates mid-June to late September, dependent on snow melt and weather. From here you can climb Pic de la Cabre (2,819m), traverse to Refuge de Fours, or simply use it as a base for ridge walks across the Chaîne.
Book directly with the hut 6–8 weeks ahead for July and August weekends. Email or phone well before your trip—this is a small refuge without a website booking system. Solo walkers and groups of 4+ should contact them first to confirm capacity. The nearest resupply is Ancelle; bring supplies or arrange for the refuge to shop for you beforehand.
The refuge is a working mountain hut run by FFCAM. It sleeps around 30 people in shared dorms. Meals are served family-style at set times—book half-board or full-board ahead. The building has no shower, cold water only, and pit toilets; expect basic Alpine comfort. It operates mid-June to late September, dependent on snow melt and weather. From here you can climb Pic de la Cabre (2,819m), traverse to Refuge de Fours, or simply use it as a base for ridge walks across the Chaîne.
Book directly with the hut 6–8 weeks ahead for July and August weekends. Email or phone well before your trip—this is a small refuge without a website booking system. Solo walkers and groups of 4+ should contact them first to confirm capacity. The nearest resupply is Ancelle; bring supplies or arrange for the refuge to shop for you beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2–3 months ahead for July and August; other months can usually be arranged with a week's notice. Contact the refuge directly by phone or email.
Refuge des Estaris is staffed from mid-June to mid-September, with limited unstaffed access outside these dates.
From Ancelle (1,340m) it's a 5–6 hour trek gaining 1,230m on a clear trail; the shorter route from Puy-Saint-André (1,850m) takes 3–4 hours but is steeper.
The refuge serves dinner and breakfast; bring a sleeping bag for dorm beds or request a private room if available.
No—both approaches demand solid fitness and good leg strength, though the terrain itself is non-technical; fit hikers with mountain experience should attempt this.
Location
44.7302, 6.3450
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This hut takes bookings direct, so beds go to whoever asks first. Tell us your dates and we'll email you when it's time to reserve — with the hut's contact details.
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3.1
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Quick Facts
- Managing club
- FFCAM
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