Abri des Chalets de Balme

The place

Planned sleeping capacity: 2. Places on mattresses: 2. The "staffed" section of this refuge is permanently closed. This cabin has a large terrace with a large table, and only a very small room that could be called an entrance vestibule is open. So an emergency shelter only, with no particular comfort. This small room, located on the left side of the chalet, gives access to the first-floor terrace via a wooden staircase, and to a small space that can accommodate at best two sleeping places. There is 1 very worn mattress in this upper section. There is also a space accessible from the back of the cabin via a ladder that leads under the roof: a simple wooden floor that could also serve as a shelter if needed. Very poor insulation; bring a very good sleeping bag and warm clothing in case of trouble. A small spring flows in the immediate vicinity of the shelter. Flow is often quite weak and irregular. The presence of firewood around the shelter is of no use, since there is no stove anyway... (and besides, it's fir wood). The climb from the La Roche sur Foron side is easy, taking about 1 h 30 (via Les Cheneviers, Mont Piton, or Le Chesnet): a track leads up to the nearby restaurant located about 300 m below the Abri de Balme. The approach from the ChampLaitier / Col de l'Ebat side is trickier: crossing the [->4868], tricky for a few metres (a cable, as the name suggests), especially on the way down. This refuge is not to be confused with the Chalets de Balme restaurant (also known as "Le Chamois," located a few hundred metres below), which offers only meals and no lodging, unlike the Abri de Balme discussed here. This refuge belongs to CAF Bonneville / La Roche Sur Foron, but the "staffed" section is closed at all times... (the cabin is apparently no longer up to standard to receive the public). To access the closed section, you must be a CAF member...