Refuge de la Pointe Percée - Gramusset

Refuge de la Pointe Percée sits at 2,164m on the border between the Aravis and Bornes massifs in the Haute-Savoie. Reach it from the village of Thônes by hiking 4-5 hours via the Col de la Croix de la Forclaz. The trail climbs steadily through pasture and forest, gaining 1,100m of elevation. In summer, a shorter 2.5-hour approach works from the Lac d'Anterne side if you have transport to the trailhead. The hut sits on a working alpine plateau where you'll see grazing cattle and mountain views across the northern French Alps.
The refuge accommodates 45 people in mixed and private rooms. Meals are served family-style at set times—expect hearty dishes built around local produce and cheese. Showers are available but hot water is limited, so time your wash accordingly. The hut runs from mid-June through September. No WiFi or phone signal, which means genuine disconnection. The guardian can arrange onward hiking to peaks like Pointe Percée (2,753m) or longer traverses into the Aravis chain.
Book directly by phone with the FFCAM contact. July and August fill 6-8 weeks ahead, particularly weekends and French school holidays. June and September offer more flexibility. Half-board (bed and meals) is standard. Arrive by 5pm to eat with the group. The hut closes during storms, so check conditions before heading up in changeable weather.