Refuge du Pré du Mollard

Refuge du Pré du Mollard sits at 1735m in the Hautes-Alpes, on the eastern flank of the Massif du Dévoluy. The hut serves as a base for day hikes across open ridges and into limestone valleys. Most hikers approach from the village of Lachau, a 3-hour walk gaining 700m through beech forest and alpine pasture. The route follows a clear track and marks well. Access is easier in summer when snow clears from the upper slopes by late June.
The refuge has capacity for roughly 40 people in dormitory rooms. Meals are served family-style: simple dinner, breakfast, and packed lunch. A reliable water source runs near the hut. The building has no electricity, so headlamps are essential. The FFCAM manages the hut and maintains a year-round guardian from June to September. Outside these months, the refuge operates on an unstaffed basis; bring a sleeping bag and sleeping sheet for self-catering stays.
Book directly by email or phone at least 2 weeks ahead during July and August. The hut fills quickly mid-summer when families plan school holidays. May, June, and September offer shorter waits and better weather stability. Dinner and breakfast typically run €15–25 combined. The hut closes entirely from October through May due to heavy snow and poor access.