Dent d'Oche Refuge

The Refuge de la Dent d'Oche is a mountain hut run by the French Alpine Club (FFCAM) at 2114 m in the Chablais massif above Bernex, around 100 m below the summit of the Dent d'Oche with a wide view over the Léman, Jura and the Savoy and Swiss Alps. The hut is manned from the beginning of June to the end of September and is located on a variant of the GR5 (Balcon du Léman); it serves as a stage base for multi-day hikes as well as for day tours and summit ascents, and is officially run as a family-friendly base with a recommended minimum age of around eight years. Half board is served, full board with dinner, breakfast and picnic packages if required, and the kitchen produces simple, hearty "petits plats locaux". The normal ascent starts at the La Fétiuère parking lot above Bernex (approx. 1200 m) and takes 2-3 hours via the Chalets d'Oche and the Col de Rebollion to the Refuge, with an elevation gain of around 900 m and a steep final ramp secured with chains; alternative approaches come from Le Chon (north side), from Novel and from the Chalets de Bise and take around 4-5 hours. Due to the exposed terrain in the final section and possible old snow fields in early summer, current trail conditions, possible closures and the weather forecast should be checked carefully before each tour. Inside, the hut, which was extensively renovated in 2017/18, offers three dormitories with a total of 45 beds, a cozy guest lounge, dry toilets, electricity from photovoltaics with some sockets and WiFi; there is no tap water, no washing facilities or showers, instead bottled water is available to buy.