I’m Grace, komoot’s UK hiking community manager and you’d be forgiven for believing I’m an experienced mountaineer, regularly scaling epic peaks around the world. Lots of people seem to think it’s a requirement for the job. Compared to some, I am a more experienced hiker, but the truth is that I spend the majority of my time pottering about on the coast path in Wales or bimbling around the Peak District. Until recently, the concept of hut to hut hiking in the Alps was a complete unknown to me.
Discovering that these European mountain huts exist, complete with comfy beds, simple restaurant meals, and wine (or soft drinks if alcohol is not for you) was a revelation. They sounded great! The idea of doing a multi-day hike without having to carry your camping equipment, not to mention being greeted by a glass of Pinot at the top of a mountain, seemed like a no brainer. How had I never heard of these before?
A few years after this discovery, two community team colleagues (Carola and Anne) and I embarked on a three-day hut trip together in the French Alps. I’m grateful to Carola for taking the lead on the route planning, and I’m paying it forward by sharing what I learned from my first hut-to-hut hike, in case you’re interested in doing it for the first time too. Here are my takeaways from my first multi-day hut hike in the Alps.
You will find cafes and restaurants en route, but you won’t find convenience stores selling snacks. If you’ve hiked uphill for any length of time, you’ll know how important snacks are for both morale and the energy boost! We stocked up on snacks in Chamonix at the start of our hike, including a quiche for lunch, which turned out to travel surprisingly well in a backpack and tasted better than ever halfway up a mountain. This tip could be especially valuable if you find cafes and restaurants closed during your hike. Hospitality is a seasonal business around here so always check opening times!
It’s really nice to let your feet breathe after a long day in hiking boots. You can pack your own but both huts we stayed in offered slippers at the door, which saved us carrying them. What you should pack though is a spare pair of clean leggings to change into. This was a hot tip from Carola and she was right. It’s nice to have clean, sweat-free clothes to hang out in before bed.
Hiking in the Alps is a seasonal activity so many huts close after the high season (June-September). In the shoulder season check huts are open, and in summer, it’s best to book. You can find hut contact numbers online and if you have either French or a basic level of English, it’s easy to reserve a bed. Some huts also allow camping* in their vicinity, which is cheaper, and gives you more privacy than a shared dorm.
*There are strict camping regulations in the French Alps so if you are carrying a tent double check where camping is permitted!
My lack of experience hut-to-hut hiking didn’t mean a lack of safety precautions. We checked the weather before our hike, we packed accordingly, and Carola and I shared our daily komoot routes with people back home. Equally important, we always filled in the hut logbooks, recording where we’d come from and where we were headed. The huts share information with each other to check that you arrive and leave safely, so it’s important not to skip this step.
Most of the huts have dorm style rooms with single beds pushed together or bunk beds. In either case, you’re sleeping pretty close to people! For light sleepers I’d definitely recommend taking an eye mask and ear plugs. Some huts offer private dorms or family rooms, so if you hate the idea of sharing with strangers, ask about this when you book.
You’ll probably be pretty tired in the middle of a multi-day hike, but getting up for sunrise is worth it! I felt very smug being up before everyone else, and getting the beautiful dawn colour show to ourselves. The fact that it had clouded over by the time everyone else got up only made the experience sweeter.
Our favourite cafe on the route was one we discovered via a komoot Highlight: Buvette de la Cascade de Bérard. Tucked between the mountains, overlooking a waterfall, it has a postcard-pretty seating area, a toilet for customers and a great selection of cake. Sadly we just missed out on the end of season techno party but it was an awesome place for a break, none-the-less.
Looking at our trip photos, we were both pretty sweaty and red faced, but the smiles are real. The joy this trip brought us was better than any photo could portray. I’d go as far as to say that trip changed me. It changed my view on what you can experience without a guide. It reminded me how great it can be to get out of your comfort zone, and of course, it solidified my love for quiche!
More helpful articles for your first multi-day adventure:
The Ultimate First Aid Kit: Pack These 8 Items So You’re Always Prepared
How to Mitigate Risks in the Outdoors: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Route
Planning Your First Multi-Day Hike with komoot? These 3 Pointers Will Help.
Visit Grace’s hut trip Collection here.
Words and photos by Grace Wilson
You'll usually find Grace walking with a community group, off on a solo adventure, or enjoying the ocean. She has a passion for exploring new places but home is near the Peak District or in her caravan in a Welsh field. She’s passionate about getting more people outdoors and tries to cram adventure and nature into her life wherever possible, whether that’s surfing, foraging in the forest or hiking in the Alps!