Refuge du Petit-Tour
1.2About
Refuge du Petit-Tour sits at 1486m on the eastern flank of the Chaîne du Petit-Tour, above Finhaut in the lower Valais. Reach it from Finhaut village (accessible by train from Le Châble on the Martigny–Vallorcine line) via a well-marked trail climbing through forest and open terrain. The approach takes 2–2.5 hours on steady grades. You can also access it from Salvan across the ridge system in 3–4 hours, making it a natural waypoint on longer valley-to-valley traverses.
The refuge is a working base for hiking and ski mountaineering in the Chaîne du Petit-Tour. It sleeps around 35 people in dormitory rooms and offers dinner, breakfast, and packed lunches. Water comes from mountain springs. The hut is generally open from May through October for summer hiking; winter opening depends on snow conditions and volunteer availability—check ahead if you plan a winter visit. Solar panels supplement power, and toilets are basic.
Book direct with the hut for July and August weekends; expect to fill up 4–6 weeks ahead during peak season. The refuge is run by volunteers, so email rather than phone. Off-season visits (May–June, September–October) typically have better availability. The location makes it ideal for a night before heading into the Chaîne du Petit-Tour proper or as a rest point on multi-day tours linking Valais valleys.
The refuge is a working base for hiking and ski mountaineering in the Chaîne du Petit-Tour. It sleeps around 35 people in dormitory rooms and offers dinner, breakfast, and packed lunches. Water comes from mountain springs. The hut is generally open from May through October for summer hiking; winter opening depends on snow conditions and volunteer availability—check ahead if you plan a winter visit. Solar panels supplement power, and toilets are basic.
Book direct with the hut for July and August weekends; expect to fill up 4–6 weeks ahead during peak season. The refuge is run by volunteers, so email rather than phone. Off-season visits (May–June, September–October) typically have better availability. The location makes it ideal for a night before heading into the Chaîne du Petit-Tour proper or as a rest point on multi-day tours linking Valais valleys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book at least 2–3 months ahead for July and August; shoulder season (June, September) can often be arranged with shorter notice.
The refuge is staffed from June through September.
Take the train to Le Châble, then the Martigny–Vallorcine line to Finhaut village, then hike 2–2.5 hours via a well-marked trail; alternatively approach from Salvan across the ridge in 3–4 hours.
The refuge serves meals and provides dormitory beds; confirm water and shower availability when booking, as facilities are basic at this elevation.
The 2–2.5 hour approach from Finhaut on steady grades works for fit families with hiking experience, but it's better suited to experienced hikers doing longer traverses or mountaineering training.
Location
46.4125, 6.9831
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