Tré-la-Tête Refuge: altitude, access and glacier (1,970 m)
Written by Victor Michel — history enthusiast and passionate alpinist based in Chamonix. Published July 25, 2026
Tré-la-Tête Refuge (1,970 m) is a mid-mountain hut in Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie), about a 2-hour hike from the Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge car park. Open from March 15 to October 15, 2026 (half-board from €60), it offers views over the Col du Bonhomme, Mont-Joly, the Fiz range and the Dômes de Miage, and serves as a waypoint on a Tour du Mont Blanc variant as well as for the glacier hike to Tré-la-Tête glacier (2,602 m).
Key takeaways
- Altitude: 1,970 m, on a spur overlooking the Les Contamines-Montjoie valley (Haute-Savoie)
- Access: about a 2-hour hike from the Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge car park
- 2026 opening: March 15 to October 15, weather permitting; phone-only booking in July-August
- 2026 half-board rates: €60 in a dorm, €75 in a room (bed linen included)
- Views over the Col du Bonhomme, Mont-Joly, the Fiz range and the Dômes de Miage
- Waypoint on a Tour du Mont Blanc variant and starting point for the hike to Tré-la-Tête glacier (2,602 m)
What is Tré-la-Tête Refuge?
Tré-la-Tête Refuge is a mid-mountain hut at 1,970 m, in Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie), built on a spur overlooking the Contamines valley. It has 6 rooms sleeping 2 to 5 and a dormitory for up to 30 people, with dining capacity for 57. Unlike Cosmiques Refuge or the Goûter hut, it is not a base camp for the Mont Blanc summit climb: it is a hiking destination in its own right, on the Contamines side of the massif.
How to reach Tré-la-Tête Refuge
The classic approach starts at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge car park, in Les Contamines-Montjoie, and takes about 2 hours on a marked trail. Depending on the season, the refuge is also reachable on snowshoes or ski touring gear. Its operator also describes it as a stopover before the Conscrits refuge for experienced hikers heading to the Dômes de Miage, via an exposed trail reserved for seasoned walkers — a distinct and more committing route than simply reaching the refuge.
2026 opening dates and prices
The refuge is open from March 15 to October 15, 2026, weather permitting, according to its operator and Les Contamines Tourisme. Half-board (dinner and breakfast) costs €60 per person in a dorm and €75 in a room, bed linen included (towels not provided). In July and August, booking is by phone only.
Views from the refuge
According to its operator, the refuge offers views stretching from the Col du Bonhomme to Mont-Joly, taking in the Fiz range and the Dômes de Miage. The site also gives access to several nearby hiking destinations: Lac Armoncette, Lac Jovet and the Tré-la-Tête glacier.
A Tour du Mont Blanc variant
The refuge presents itself as a stage on a variant of the Tour du Mont Blanc, on the massif's French side — a possible waypoint in Les Contamines-Montjoie, distinct from the classic 7-day route detailed on the dedicated Tour du Mont Blanc page.
Tré-la-Tête glacier: a glacier hike
Tré-la-Tête glacier tops out at 2,602 m, above Les Contamines-Montjoie. From the refuge, the loop via Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge (the chapel, the Pont Romain, the Combe Noire waterfall) totals about 5 hours, rated intermediate difficulty by Altituderando; allow 20 to 40 minutes round trip from the refuge for the glacier section itself. Like many glaciers in the massif, Tré-la-Tête glacier is retreating significantly.
2026 half-board rates at Tré-la-Tête Refuge
Per-person rates, dinner and breakfast included. Booking mandatory, phone-only in July-August.
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm | €60 |
| Room (2-5 people) | €75 |
Bed linen included, towels not provided. 2026 opening: March 15 to October 15, weather permitting. Source: Tré-la-Tête Refuge.
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FAQ
What is Tré-la-Tête Refuge?
A mid-mountain hut at 1,970 m, in Les Contamines-Montjoie (Haute-Savoie), on a spur overlooking the valley — a hiking destination and starting point for the Tré-la-Tête glacier and the Dômes de Miage.
What is the altitude of Tré-la-Tête Refuge?
1,970 m, in the commune of Les Contamines-Montjoie, in Haute-Savoie.
How do you reach Tré-la-Tête Refuge?
About a 2-hour hike from the Notre-Dame-de-la-Gorge car park, on a marked trail; reachable on snowshoes or ski touring gear depending on the season.
When is Tré-la-Tête Refuge open in 2026?
From March 15 to October 15, 2026, weather permitting, according to its operator.
How much does a night at Tré-la-Tête Refuge cost?
2026 half-board costs €60 per person in a dorm and €75 in a room (bed linen included); booking mandatory, phone-only in July-August.
What can you see from Tré-la-Tête Refuge?
Views over the Col du Bonhomme, Mont-Joly, the Fiz range and the Dômes de Miage, according to its operator.
Is Tré-la-Tête Refuge part of the Tour du Mont Blanc?
It presents itself as a stage on a Tour du Mont Blanc variant on the Contamines side, distinct from the classic 7-day route.
Can you hike to Tré-la-Tête glacier from the refuge?
Yes, allow 20 to 40 minutes round trip from the refuge; the glacier tops out at 2,602 m and, like many others in the massif, is retreating significantly.