Refuge de Sornin

Refuge de Sornin sits at 1,980m in the Chaîne de Belledonne, a limestone ridge east of Grenoble that offers serious day hiking from the hut. Reach it from Allevard-les-Bains (40 minutes by car from Grenoble). Park at the Ponds car park and hike 2.5 hours via the GR55 through forest, climbing 450m to the refuge. The final approach crosses open pasture. In winter, the road to Allevard closes regularly; check conditions before driving. Summer access is reliable from June through September.
The refuge is small and simple: 30 bed spaces across basic dormitories, no private rooms. Cooked dinners and breakfasts are mandatory for overnight guests. The kitchen serves straightforward mountain food (cheese, soup, pasta, stew). Water comes from a spring. There's no WiFi, no charging beyond a basic charging station, and no hot showers—expect washbasins and cold water only. The custodian team manages the hut year-round, but winter opening depends on snow conditions and access.
Book direct by phone or email at least one month ahead for July and August weekends. Outside high season, 2–3 weeks is usually sufficient. The hut closes some weeks in April and November for maintenance. Confirm winter opening before planning a trip. Payment is cash or bank transfer only—no card machines on site. The refuge operates under FFCAM principles, so membership with an affiliated club can sometimes offer small discounts on bed rates.