Refuge des Souffles
4.3About
Refuge des Souffles sits at 1,969m in the Hautes-Alpes, accessible via a 3-hour hike from the Vallouise valley. The trail climbs steadily through mixed forest and alpine meadow. Summer conditions make it walkable from late June through September; spring snow lingers above 1,800m into early June. Winter access requires mountaineering skills and is not routine.
The refuge holds 30 beds across simple shared rooms. It serves dinner and breakfast to guests who book meals in advance; the guardian (warden) can prepare packed lunches for onward hiking. Water comes from a spring; there is no shower. The hut runs from mid-June to mid-September, closing earlier if snow arrives. It operates as a base for local day walks and as a waypoint on longer traverses into the Écrins massif.
Contact the refuge directly by phone to check availability and book. July and August fill quickly—book at least two months ahead for these months. June and early September have more availability but weather is less stable. Confirm the exact opening date before planning a spring trip, as snow cover determines when the guardian arrives.
The refuge holds 30 beds across simple shared rooms. It serves dinner and breakfast to guests who book meals in advance; the guardian (warden) can prepare packed lunches for onward hiking. Water comes from a spring; there is no shower. The hut runs from mid-June to mid-September, closing earlier if snow arrives. It operates as a base for local day walks and as a waypoint on longer traverses into the Écrins massif.
Contact the refuge directly by phone to check availability and book. July and August fill quickly—book at least two months ahead for these months. June and early September have more availability but weather is less stable. Confirm the exact opening date before planning a spring trip, as snow cover determines when the guardian arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book at least 2–3 months ahead for July and August, especially since the hut has only 30 beds. Contact by phone directly to confirm availability and secure your spot.
The refuge is staffed from late June to September. Snow lingers above 1,800m into early June, so late June marks the practical start of the season.
Hike 3 hours from the Vallouise valley via a steady trail through mixed forest and alpine meadow to reach 1,969m.
Dinner and breakfast are served to guests who book meals in advance; book these when you reserve your bed. Expect simple shared rooms and basic facilities typical of mountain refuges.
Yes—the 3-hour approach is steady rather than technical, making it accessible to fit hikers without mountaineering experience. Summer conditions (late June–September) are straightforward.
Location
44.8447, 6.1465
HutLists Score
4.3
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- FFCAM Club Alpin Français
- Total
- 30
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- +33 4 92 55 22 91
- Website
- https://refugedessouffles.ffcam.fr/
Activities
Featured In
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