Refuge le Nant Brun

Refuge le Nant Brun sits at 1,850m in the Chaîne de Belledonne, east of Grenoble. Most hikers approach from the Gorges du Nan valley trailhead near Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse, a 2-hour push through beech forest that gains 550m steadily. The hut marks a junction for routes into the Belledonne high country: the Pic de la Thomassire (2,599m) lies 90 minutes northwest, while the Grand Pic (2,977m) demands a full day of ridge scrambling. Early-season access depends on snow melt; the trail is reliably clear from June onward.

The refuge is a working mountain base rather than a destination in itself. It sleeps around 30 people in dormitory rooms and maintains a full kitchen and dining area. The guardian cooks evening meals and breakfast from June through September; book meals when you reserve your bed. There's no electricity or running water beyond what the stream provides, so expect basic facilities and cold showers. The hut closes from October through May except by arrangement for winter mountaineers.

Contact the hut directly by phone to reserve beds and meals. July and August weekends fill 4-6 weeks ahead, so call as soon as your dates are fixed. Weekday stays outside school holidays are easier to secure with 2-3 weeks' notice. The hut sits on FFCAM-affiliated territory; membership in a national alpine club can sometimes improve access during crowded periods, though it's not required to stay.