Refuge des Marches

Refuge des Marches sits at 2,350m in the Hautes-Alpes, on the watershed between the Guisane and Durance valleys. The standard approach is from Pelvoux village, following the Gîte de Pelvoux trail for roughly 4 hours. The final stretch crosses open pasture and scree. In winter, snow access requires mountaineering skills; most parties reach it June to September. The hut is managed by FFCAM and serves as a base for ascents of Pic de la Cabre (2,817m) and peaks in the surrounding ridgeline.
The refuge holds 30 beds in dormitory rooms and offers half-board (dinner and breakfast) or full board with packed lunches. Meals are simple mountain food—soup, stew, bread, local cheese. You can sleep and eat only, or take just breakfast if you're moving on early. The hut has no shower; water comes from a spring. A small stove warms the dining area in cooler months. The guardian stays open mid-June through mid-September, depending on snow conditions.
Book by phone with the guardian at least two weeks ahead for July and August weekends. Weather and access can shift quickly; confirm conditions before heading up. The hut fills most Saturdays in summer, especially in July. Bring a sleeping bag even if you've pre-paid for a bed—the refuge provides blankets but not sheet sets.