Chalet de Sur les Prés
1.2
Piedmont, Italy
About
Chalet de Sur les Prés sits at 2,396m in the Cottian Alps on the French border. Approach from the Vallée de l'Ubaye; the standard approach is via Lac de Sainte-Anne, 3 hours of steep terrain. The hut serves as a staging point for climbs on Pic de Caramantran (2,909m) and access to cross-border routes into the Queyras. Most parties arrive from the Italian side via Demonte and the Gesso Valley, making this a logical overnight before attempting 4,000m peaks on the frontier ridge.
The chalet accommodates 26 people in shared dormitories. Hot meals focus on simple mountain fare: pasta, polenta, stew. The kitchen supplies hot drinks throughout the day. Water comes from the spring. Toilet facilities are basic. The hut runs July through September; shoulder months depend on snow conditions. Winter access requires mountaineering skills and proper equipment.
Contact the hut directly for availability. July and August demand booking 2–3 months ahead. June and September are quieter. The hut has no formal CAI or SAT affiliation; ring ahead to confirm current management and rates. Access is weather-dependent in spring and autumn; phone before driving to the valley.
The chalet accommodates 26 people in shared dormitories. Hot meals focus on simple mountain fare: pasta, polenta, stew. The kitchen supplies hot drinks throughout the day. Water comes from the spring. Toilet facilities are basic. The hut runs July through September; shoulder months depend on snow conditions. Winter access requires mountaineering skills and proper equipment.
Contact the hut directly for availability. July and August demand booking 2–3 months ahead. June and September are quieter. The hut has no formal CAI or SAT affiliation; ring ahead to confirm current management and rates. Access is weather-dependent in spring and autumn; phone before driving to the valley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season (July-September) through rifugi.net or directly with the hut; this is a small alpine refuge with limited capacity, so earlier booking is safer for weekends and August.
Open June through September, staffed during this period; closed in winter and shoulder seasons due to snow and access difficulty.
From the Italian side via Demonte and Gesso Valley is the main approach; from the French side via Lac de Sainte-Anne takes 3 hours of steep hiking to reach 2,396m.
Standard alpine refuge setup: dormitory beds, meals provided (dinner and breakfast), water available; showers are limited or non-existent—typical for high-altitude huts.
No—the steep 3-hour approach, 2,396m altitude, and focus on mountaineering and 4,000m peak attempts make this a hut for experienced hikers and climbers only.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- FFCAM
- Season
- –
- Total
- Dormitory
- Emergency
- Private rooms
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- Website