Refuge de la Combe Madame

Refuge de la Combe Madame sits at 1,784m in the Chaîne de Belledonne massif in Isère. The hut is reached from the village of Allevard via the hamlet of Prapoutel. The standard approach takes 2.5 to 3 hours on foot, following the GR55 trail through beech and spruce forest. The route is well-marked but steady uphill. Winter access requires ski or snowshoe depending on snow depth.
The refuge is a small, working hut with 22 beds arranged in shared dormitories. The guardian serves evening meals and breakfast; you must order dinner in advance when booking. Water comes from a spring and is reliable year-round. The hut operates from June through September in normal snow years. Facilities are basic: no electricity beyond a small generator, no heating in sleeping areas, and pit toilets. The location makes it a solid base for day walks into the Belledonne range or as a stop on longer traverses linking the Isère valleys.
Contact the hut directly by phone to reserve beds and order meals. Book at least two weeks ahead for July and August weekends. Weekend hut traffic is moderate but can be heavy during school holidays in mid-July. Weekday visits are quieter. Payment by cash or card depends on the guardian; confirm when you call. The hut is staffed every day during the season.