Top recommendations, reservations, what gear to bring… Everything you need to know to confidently plan your first hike with an overnight stay in a mountain hut in the Alps can be found in this article. Get ready for an adventure in the great outdoors!
By the way… what exactly is a mountain refuge?
A mountain hut is a shared lodging facility located deep in the mountains (most often) to provide overnight shelter for hikers and mountaineers.
Generally speaking, the amenities are fairly basic: you sleep in large dormitories, dinner is served at set times by the hut keepers at long communal tables, and the bathrooms are often very simple (a little water to wash your face and brush your teeth, rarely any showers)…
Admittedly, it’s nothing like the comfort of a hotel; but the real appeal lies elsewhere: in the pleasure of sleeping warm in an exceptional setting alongside other lovers of the great outdoors, exploring the most beautiful hiking trails nature has to offer!
Mountain huts to discover around La Plagne and its villages
Seven mountain huts welcome you all summer long on the hiking trails starting from Champagny-en-Vanoise, Granier (Versant du Soleil), and the high-altitude villages of La Plagne (Versant Nord).
All offer half-board options to keep your hiking backpack as light as possible, but you can also choose to book accommodation only (in a dormitory) or even a simple camping spot (if you have your own tent).
The level of comfort varies from one refuge to another depending on their distance from “civilization” (and thus on constraints related to supplies, cell service, and water reserves…).
Here is some basic information to help you choose among the various mountain huts accessible to hikers around La Plagne. Be sure to supplement this with the detailed information available on each hut’s website.
| Name of the mountain hut | GPS Coordinates | Access | Summer 2026 Rates (excerpt from the complete rate schedule) | Things to See Near the Mountain Hut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan des Gouilles Mountain Hut (open from late May to early September) | 45.444175, 6.743199 | On foot from Champagny-en-Vanoise | • Half-board: €53.85 per adult and starting at €20 per child • Camping site only: €5 per person (+ €2.50 for access to the picnic room) | Le Grand Bec, overlooking the refuge |
| Laisonnay Mountain Hut (open from early June to mid-September) | 45.447341, 6.781552 | On foot or by car from Champagny-en-Vanoise | • Half-board: starting at 70 € per adult and 17.50 € per child • Camping site only: 12 € per person, shower included (+ tourist tax) | The Champagny-le-Haut valley, a designated natural site nestled at the foot of the Grand Bec and the Roche de Mio |
| Refuge de la Glière (open from mid-June to mid-September) | 45.431231, 6.814105 | On foot from Champagny-en-Vanoise | • Half-board: starting at 57 € per adult and 20 € per child • Camping spot only: 8 € per person • Shower: 3 € | La Grande Casse and the Grande Motte Glacier (the Glière mountain hut is located in the Vanoise National Park) |
| Plaisance Mountain Hut ( open from mid-June to mid-September) | 45.462987, 6.792112 | On foot from Champagny-en-Vanoise | • Half-board: starting at 59 € per adult and 25 € per child • Camping site only: 6 € per person | The Bellecôte Summit and the Pointe de la Vallaisonnay |
| Mont Jovet Mountain Hut (open from mid-June to mid-September) | 45.632223, 6.669106 | On foot from Granier (Versant du Soleil) | • Half-board: 52 € per adult and 38 € per child • Shower: €2 | La Pierra Menta |
Also worth checking out: the Foran alpine chalet, a guesthouse that can accommodate up to 8 people along the GR5 trail (accessible by car).
A night in an Alpine refuge: a (more or less) minimalist experience
Mountain huts are, by definition, far from all the conveniences of the city. Electricity is often generated by solar panels (don’t expect to be able to charge your phone everywhere—lighting takes priority!), water usage is strictly monitored, showers aren’t guaranteed, and meals (usually a single set menu) depend on supplies (keep this in mind if you have food allergies).
And that’s just fine: that’s exactly what you’re looking for when you spend the night in a mountain refuge— a return to the basics and plenty of camaraderie!
A bit too minimalist for you? Start with a night at the Refuge du Bois or the Refuge du Laisonnay (for example): they’re accessible by car, connected to water and electricity, and equipped with a full-service restaurant supplied daily by road.
What gear should you bring to sleep comfortably in a mountain hut?
Your back will be glad to know that you don’t need to pack much in your hiking backpack to sleep in a mountain hut, especially if you opt for half-board. If you had to choose just 5 essentials:
- A sleeping bag liner ( also called a “sleeping bag liner”), which replaces the sheets in the mountain hut and ensures the level of hygiene every hiker has a right to expect;
- A clean set of sleepwear ( for example: a technical T-shirt, leggings, and socks reserved for sleeping at the mountain hut);
- A mini-toiletry kit with the bare essentials ( toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant…);
- Earplugs (yes, snorers in the dormitory are practically a given!);
- A trash bag ( to carry your trash with you until you reach the next village).
Duvets and pillows are provided on site, so don’t bother bringing a sleeping bag (unless, of course, you’ve decided to camp; in that case, bring all your usual gear: tent, sleeping pad, down sleeping bag, stove, cooking gear, etc.).
Check the mountain huts’ opening dates before planning your hike
Most mountain huts accessible from the villages of La Plagne are open from mid-June to mid-September, with slight variations (a week earlier or later).
Some huts remain open to hikers outside of staffed periods (such as the municipal hut at La Balme, for example). Be sure to notify the caretaker so they can coordinate arrivals and ensure everyone has a bed to sleep in (they’ll explain how to pay the fee in their absence—often online).
Note: It’s rare, but some shelters may be forced to close earlier than planned after a period of extreme heat if they run out of water.
Be sure to check the website of the mountain hut where you plan to spend the night before setting out on the trails.
Three hiking ideas in the Alps for spending your first nights in mountain huts around La Plagne
- The Vallaisonnay Loop in 3 to 5 days (family-friendly), via the Plaisance Mountain Hut, the Entre-le-Lac Mountain Hut, the Col du Palet Mountain Hut, and the Glière Mountain Hut. Check the trail guides on the Plaisance Mountain Hut’s website;
- The Grande Casse loop in 4–5 days (for experienced hikers), via the Laisonnay Mountain Hut or the Bois Mountain Hut and the Plan des Gouilles Mountain Hut, among other mountain huts (check the guide published by the Vanoise National Park);
- The 4-day tour of the Aiguille de Grand Fond (starting from Granier / Versant du Soleil), passing through the Balme Municipal Mountain Hut, the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme Mountain Hut, and the Presset Mountain Hut.
Staying in a mountain hut… without going on a multi-day hike!
Want to spend the night in a mountain hut… but don’t have the time or desire to go on a multi-day hike? It’s possible! Here are two ideas to add to your summer plans:
- Stay at the Refuge du Bois or the Refuge du Laisonnay… without having to hike there!
Both of these mountain huts are accessible by car from the Champagny-le-Haut valley. So you can arrive in the late afternoon, have dinner at a restaurant, spend the night at the hut, and head back the next morning after breakfast.
It’s up to you whether you’ll still lace up your sneakers for a short walk around the lodge before hitting the road again.
- Take a two-day round-trip hike to a mountain hut not too far from the village where you plan to spend the night ( for example: the Plaisance mountain hut, the Glière mountain hut, the Plan des Gouilles mountain hut, the Balme municipal mountain hut, or the Mont Jovet chalet).
The big advantage over multi-day backpacking trips (beyond the ease of organizing a micro-adventure over a single weekend) is that you’ll be able to admire the scenery both ways—once on the way there and again on the way back. No peak will escape your view!
Staying in a mountain hut with kids: easier than it seems!
Want to introduce your kids to the world of mountain huts? Start slow! For example, by booking a night in a comfortable hut accessible by car (like the Laisonnay Hut, which even offers a family room and a private teepee in addition to the traditional dormitories).
Once the “overnight” part becomes a breeze, you can add some “real” hiking to the mix. Why not take a not-too-long hike to the Mont Jovet chalet? To the Plaisance mountain hut? Or perhaps to the Glière mountain hut? Opt for half-board, and your backpack will stay light (even if you’re carrying your kids’ hiking gear as needed).
The secret to peaceful nights at a mountain hut with kids? Bring along everything you need to recreate their usual bedtime routine: their favorite pajamas, a fun toothbrush, a cute story to read before lights out, and that indispensable stuffed animal (and why not an item of clothing that smells like you, like a scarf, for example?).
Should you book your mountain hut stay in advance, or wing it at the last minute?
It’s strongly recommended that you book your accommodations several weeks in advance, especially if you’ve decided to hike during peak season (mid-July to mid-August)—including campsites. Otherwise, you risk finding yourself with nowhere to sleep once night falls…
Note for backcountry camping enthusiasts: it’s common for hikers who’ve booked a night in a dormitory to cancel when the weather turns gloomy. Are you on a backpacking trip? Don’t feel like spending the night in a tent in the rain? Ask the host or hostess if there’s a spot left inside—you never know… And always bring some cash on hand to pay for these kinds of last-minute stays: a warm, dry place to sleep really makes a difference when your spirits are as low as your wet socks!
Remember to bring cash to pay for your night at the shelter, your meal…
Very few mountain huts are equipped with credit card terminals (they’d need cell service for that!). So, always carry cash with you to pay for your lodging and meals (if you haven’t paid in advance online), any drinks or snacks beyond the half-board plan, that nice hot shower if the shelter has one, the tourist tax if applicable, and so on.
Rules for Living in a Mountain Hut (for Happy Hikers)
At a mountain hut, mutual support and respect for one another are essential. Here are a few guidelines to follow for peaceful and friendly evenings and overnight stays:
- Put on the pair of Crocs provided at the entrance to keep the premises clean;
- Don’t use too much water when washing up;
- Follow the meal times set by the hosts, chat with your tablemates, and help clear the table when you’re done eating;
- Take your trash with you until you reach the next village;
- Practice small courtesies that contribute to hikers’ restful sleep (quiet in the evening, no headlamps on full beam in the dormitories, no alarm clocks blaring at full volume, etc.).
Are you forced to cut your hike short? Let the refuge staff know so they don’t worry unnecessarily when you don’t show up (and wonder if they should call for help).
So, are you ready for your first night in a mountain hut around La Plagne?
