Refuge du Plan du Lac
3.4
Savoie, France
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About
Refuge du Plan du Lac sits at 1,913m in the Massif de la Chartreuse, east of Chambéry in Savoie. The main approach from the village of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse takes 2 hours on foot through beech forest to reach the hut. Alternatively, the GR9 long-distance trail passes directly by the refuge, making it a logical stop on multi-day traverses of the Chartreuse range. The hut serves as a hub for day walks across the high plateaux and cols of the massif.
The refuge operates year-round and hosts 30 people in simple dormitory rooms. The guardian serves evening meals and breakfast; packed lunches are available. Water comes from the lake, and there is no electricity—heating relies on wood stoves. Toilets are outside. The setting is quiet and remote, with few crowds outside school holidays and summer weekends. This is a walker's refuge, not a destination for luxury, but the isolation and solid mountain cooking make it worthwhile.
Book by phone directly with the guardian. Summer and school holiday weekends fill fast; contact at least one month ahead for July and August. Off-season visits (September to June) are easier to arrange but confirm the refuge is staffed before traveling. Winter access may be restricted; call ahead to check conditions.
The refuge operates year-round and hosts 30 people in simple dormitory rooms. The guardian serves evening meals and breakfast; packed lunches are available. Water comes from the lake, and there is no electricity—heating relies on wood stoves. Toilets are outside. The setting is quiet and remote, with few crowds outside school holidays and summer weekends. This is a walker's refuge, not a destination for luxury, but the isolation and solid mountain cooking make it worthwhile.
Book by phone directly with the guardian. Summer and school holiday weekends fill fast; contact at least one month ahead for July and August. Off-season visits (September to June) are easier to arrange but confirm the refuge is staffed before traveling. Winter access may be restricted; call ahead to check conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book by phone as early as possible, especially for weekends and summer months (June–September); the refuge has just 30 beds.
The refuge operates year-round, though staffing and services are reduced in winter—confirm availability before visiting outside June–September.
From Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse village, allow 2 hours on foot through beech forest; alternatively, join the GR9 long-distance trail which passes directly by the hut.
The refuge provides 30 beds and serves meals; confirm whether hot showers are available year-round when you book.
Yes—the 2-hour approach from the village is straightforward, and the refuge is a solid base for day walks on the Chartreuse plateaux.
Location
45.3461, 6.8375
HutLists Score
3.4
Overall
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Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- FFCAM
- Season
- jun-sep
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- +33 4 79 20 50 85
- Website
- https://refuge-plandulac.vanoise.com
Activities
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