Rifugio Combe D'Imbert

Rifugio Combe d'Imbert sits at 2,715m in the Parc National des Écrins, above the Vallée du Gyr near Ancelle. Most parties approach from Ancelle village (1,430m) via the GR54, a 5–6 hour hike that gains 1,285m steadily through alpine meadow and sparse larch. The refuge also works as a waypoint on longer traverses linking the southern Écrins valleys. Winter approaches are not practical; access closes from November through May.
The refuge is a small, working mountain shelter managed by FFCAM, holding around 40 people in dorm beds. The guardian provides evening meals and breakfast from June through September. Water comes from a nearby spring; toilets are basic but functional. This is a genuine refuge, not a hotel—expect simple, clean, and focused on the hills rather than comfort. The setting faces the high ridges of the Chaîne de l'Épargne and makes a solid base for day walks to 3,000m+ peaks or longer routes into the Glacier Blanc area.
Book direct with the guardian several weeks ahead for July and August weekends. The refuge phone and contact details are listed on the FFCAM website under Hautes-Alpes refuges. Arrive by early afternoon to secure meals. Mid-week visits outside peak season face fewer crowds and need less advance notice.