Refuge du Col de l'Arc

Refuge du Col de l'Arc sits at 1,854m on the Col de l'Arc pass between the Maurienne and Tarentaise valleys in Savoie. The main approach from Valloire takes 3 hours and climbs steadily through forest before opening onto alpine meadow. You can also reach it from Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves (2.5 hours) or from the Chalets de l'Alpe d'Huez side. The hut marks a key pass on the high-route traversing between the two valleys and serves as a springboard for peaks in the surrounding granite massif.
The refuge is run by FFCAM and operates year-round, though winter access requires mountain experience and avalanche awareness. It sleeps around 45 people in basic dormitories with good blankets and pillows provided. The kitchen serves solid three-course dinners and generous breakfasts; bring your own lunch or buy packed meals. Water comes from a reliable spring. There's a small bar. Toilets are outside; washing facilities are minimal. The building is functional and unheated except for the common room, so expect it to be cold at night during shoulder seasons.
Book directly with the guardian several weeks ahead for summer weekends and July-August. Midsummer (July 15–August 15) fills quickly with groups. The hut is quieter in June and September, when weather is still stable. Staff speak French; basic English is usually available. Day visitors are welcome for meals if space allows. Check conditions before heading up in winter or spring—the pass can be snow-locked and the approach avalanche-prone.