Refuge du Goléon

Refuge du Goléon sits at 2,472m in the Hautes-Alpes, deep in Parc National des Écrins. The standard approach follows the Vallée du Valgaudemar from Saint-Firmin, gaining 1,200m over roughly 4 hours on a well-marked path. The hut serves as a launch point for ascents of Mont Gerlache (3,209m) and approaches to higher peaks across the park. The final stretch to the hut crosses alpine meadow and scree.
The refuge holds 40 beds in shared dormitories. Meals are prepared on-site: a three-course dinner, packed lunches, and breakfast. The warden operates seasonally from June to mid-September. The hut has no WiFi and limited phone signal; water comes from an on-site spring. Toilet facilities are basic. This is a working refuge, not a lodge—expect a straightforward mountain experience.
Book directly by phone with the warden (contact details held by Parc National des Écrins or alpine guidebooks). July and August fill 6–8 weeks ahead; June and September are more flexible. Arrive with cash, as card payments are unreliable this far into the mountains. The route closes under heavy snow; check current conditions with FFCAM before planning a trip in shoulder months.