Top 6 Huts and Cabins around Saint-Martin-En-Vercors

The area offers a variety of accommodations, from rustic, unguarded refuges ideal for hikers to more comfortable rental cabins. You'll find basic shelters for overnight stays, forest cabins with historical significance, and even highly-rated rental cabins for a nature retreat.

For breathtaking views, consider the La Soldanelle Refuge, located at 1,500 meters altitude, which offers a stunning panorama of the valley. The Chaumailloux Refuge also provides superb views of Mont Aiguille, and the Cabane de la Jasse du Play offers magnificent views of the Grand Veymont.

Yes, the Vercors has a rich history. The Camp des Carteaux Cabin (Cabane 44) is a forest cabin reconstructed to its original design, having served as a summer camp for Resistance fighters during WWII. It's part of the 'Chemins de la Liberté' (Paths of Freedom). The Chaumailloux Refuge is also located near a resistance memorial and caves, making it a place of memory within the Vercors.

Unguarded huts typically offer basic amenities. For example, the Cabane de la Jasse du Play and Pré Peyret Hut include a table, benches, and a stove for cold nights, with sleeping areas on wooden floors. The Cabane de Carette also has a wood-burning stove. Water sources are often nearby, though their flow can vary, especially in summer.

Yes, there are options suitable for families. La Ferme du Bois Barbu is an inn offering quality lodging and cover, popular with both skiers and hikers. The Refuge - Abri des Héros is also noted as family-friendly. For a more comfortable stay, the Trapper's Cabin is a highly-rated rental cabin designed for a nature retreat.

Many huts are located along or near popular hiking routes. The Cabane de la Jasse du Play is a prime stop for hikers on the GR 91 trail, while the Pré Peyret Hut is at the crossroads of several paths, including the GR 91/93. The Cabane de Carette is the first hut on the GR 91 route heading south. You can explore various running, cycling, and MTB trails in the region, such as those found in the Running Trails around Saint-Martin-En-Vercors guide or the MTB Trails around Saint-Martin-En-Vercors guide.

In the Hauts-Plateaux nature reserve, bivouacking is generally permitted from 5 pm to 9 am. However, specific rules apply, such as prohibitions on fires (outside shelters), camping (except bivouac), plant picking, fossil collecting, and waste disposal. Always check local regulations for the specific area you plan to visit.

The Malaterre Inn is a friendly restaurant in the mountains that is accessible by foot, ride, or drive for most of the year, making it a relatively easy destination. For a comfortable nature retreat without a strenuous hike, the Trapper's Cabin in Saint-Martin-en-Vercors is a rental option.

The best time to visit largely depends on your activity. Summer and early autumn are ideal for hiking and enjoying the full range of trails, as water sources are more reliable, and weather conditions are generally mild. Some huts, like the Malaterre Inn, are accessible for most of the year, but in winter, snow can limit access to foot only.

While many unguarded huts are rustic, some establishments offer food and drinks. The Malaterre Inn is known for authentic home-cooked food. The Allières Inn, though more of an auberge, offers comprehensive services including a restaurant with mountain-style dining and local Vercors dishes. For other huts, it's best to bring your own provisions.

The Pré Peyret Hut is one of the most well-known huts in the Vercors Hauts Plateaux due to its central location at 1600m altitude, at the crossroads of several paths including the GR 91/93. It offers a warm and welcoming space with a large capacity (10-15 people) and a stove, making it a popular spot for hikers to pause or spend the night.

Specific regulations apply within the Vercors Hauts-Plateaux nature reserve. For instance, at the Cabane de Carette, dogs are prohibited. It's crucial to check the specific rules for each hut and the surrounding reserve areas before bringing a dog.