La Pouya

Refuge de la Pouya sits at 2,000m in the Chartreuse massif, roughly 12km south of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse. The standard approach takes 3.5 hours from the Col de Porte (1,326m): follow the GR9 trail southeast through beech forest, then climb steadily to the hut. The terrain is well-marked but exposed in bad weather. Most hikers reach it in a day from the valley, though it also serves as a base for exploring the plateau and neighbouring ridges.
The refuge is run by FFCAM and holds 30 beds in shared dormitories. Meals are provided on a half-board basis: hearty mountain food at dinner, breakfast, and packed lunches for day trips. Water comes from a reliable spring. The hut operates from April to October, with reduced capacity in shoulder seasons. The keeper adjusts opening dates based on snow cover. Facilities are simple but functional: heating, gas lamps, and no electricity beyond charging (limited).
Book directly with the refuge from December onwards if you're planning to visit in July or August. Contact them by phone or post well ahead—email responses are slow. June and September are far less crowded. Winter access requires ski mountaineering experience and you must call ahead to confirm the hut is staffed. The hut fills quickly during school holidays and weekends in summer.