Cabin de la Peyrouse

Cabane de la Peyrouse sits at 2,640m in the Écrins massif, deep in the Parc National des Écrins. Reach it from Besse-en-Oisans via the Cirque de Gavarnie approach. The walk takes 4–5 hours from the road end; factor in another 2 hours if starting from Besse itself. The terrain is steep and exposed in places. This is not a casual afternoon stroll. Snow covers the approach from November through May, making winter access technical or impossible depending on conditions.
The cabin is small—8 beds only—and very basic. You sleep on mattresses, bring your own sleeping bag, and use a wood stove for heat. There is no electricity, no shower, and minimal cooking equipment. The FFCAM maintains the hut year-round, though the caretaker is present only in summer months (July and August). Outside these months, the hut operates on an honour system; you arrive, use what is available, and leave payment. Water comes from a spring nearby. In summer, simple meals and hot drinks are sometimes available, but assume you must bring all food.
Contact the FFCAM Isère section directly to confirm access, conditions, and whether a caretaker is present on your intended dates. Winter visits require mountain sense and proper equipment. The hut fills quickly during July and August; email ahead even in shoulder season. There is no telephone at the cabin itself.