The refuge de l'Olan is a Club Alpin Français (CAF) refuge and was built in 1978. It is situated on a high alpine plateau at 2345m in the heart of the Ecrins National Park.
The refuge was build just behind a small mound which protects it from avalanches. The SE face of the Olan (3564m) towers over the area and you have great views of the Navette Valley and the Vieux Chaillol.
It's very popular with walkers as the GR54 walking path runs close to the refuge. It's also a great spot for mountaineering and is the access refuge to do the Olan (3564m) and Cime du Vallon (3409m). There are wide range of rock and mixed routes in the area.
On the ground floor there is a large sociable dining room where your meals will be served. There are 4 large dormitories with blankets and sheets. We recommend that you bring a sleeping bag liner as the sheets can't be washed after every guest! The toilets and wash basins on the first floor and there are some more toilets in an outside block.
The team are there from mid June to mid September to look after you and provide a bar and restaurant service (all day) with half board for overnighters and picnics available to order. In the winter there is a winter section left open which sleeps up to 15 people.
Have a look at this video of a helicopter delivery there to get a feel for how remote it is!
Facilities and equipment included:
Blankets
Facilities and equipment at extra charge:
Food Options
It is possible to self cater and there is a kitchen available for use. However, the guardians and their teams rely on food and drink sales to make their living and wouldn't be there making the refuge as nice as it is if we didn't support them.
It is possible to buy drinks and snacks as well as full meals.
| Breakfast | 7.00€ |
| Evening Meal | 18.00€ |
| Picnic | 13.00€ |
Resources such as water, electricity (solar) and food are hard to come by in a mountain refuge so please respect this and don't waste energy, water or food. Showers are a luxury so please don't empty the water reservoir!
It is possible to charge your electronic devices in the refuge, but don't expect signal or Wi-Fi at this altitude (that is one of the many beauties of being in such places anyway!). As for the landline of the refuge, it is reserved for private use (except in the case of emergencies).
All items brought up to the refuge including any rubbish must be taken back out.
The staff (gardiens) running the refuge run a tight ship to be able to cater for everyone and clean the refuge to a good standard and their timetables and rules must be respected, that's why we kindly ask you to arrive at the Refuge before 18H00, as this is when the gardiens start cooking dinner and it would be inappropriate to ask them to show you your room and the refuge's facilities while they're busy in the kitchen.
At the entrance of the refuge, you will find baskets for you to put your belongings in to keep the refuge tidy. Please do not leave your belongings lying around in the refuge. Outdoor shoes are not permitted inside and slippers, flip flops or Crocs type shoes are provided. Mountaineering hardware such as ice axes, crampons and walking poles, must be left in the locker room or outside and should not be taken into the dormitories.
Any help offered to do the dishes, clear or wipe tables is greatly appreciated in any mountain refuge!
If you are heading up to do a mountaineering summit, you will be woken up in the early morning between 4H00 and 5H00 and served breakfast. Walkers and other guests' breakfast is usually served between 7H00 and 9H00. All dormitories need to be vacated before 9H00 and must be left in a tidy condition with duvets and sheets folded as you found them.
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