Cabane de Prafleuri

Prafleuri hut is built in what was originally a quarry for the nearby Dixence dam (the original hut, now the overflow building, were barracks for the construction workers). Cabane Prafleuri welcomes new wardens for 2021, Estelle Gabriel and Antoine Pellisier. There are no private rooms, just dorms of various sizes. They have a nice outdoor terrace for catching the last rays of the sun, ample dining space inside, and a crazy cramped bathroom with just two toilets for the whole hut. There is no cell signal but they have Wi-Fi.

Dorms come with fluffy comforters, but bring your own sleep sheet, pillowcase, hut shoes (they also have some Crocs), soap/shampoo, towel, headlamp and earplugs. Set up your bed before bedtime, and try to be a respectful neighbor. Fold your blankets in the morning before you go.

The food here can be quite good, and it keeps coming until you are full. As always in huts, they get very busy when food is being served, and if you would like something to drink, it’s best to plan a little bit ahead and order before the meal. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm, so please make sure you leave early enough at the start of your hike that you’ll arrive in time for dinner.

When you leave the next day, it’s possible to stop at Dix hut between Prafleuri and Arolla (a sizeable detour, but worthwhile if you have the energy and time), so you don’t necessarily need to buy lunch, but Prafleuri does sell to-go lunches that can be ordered the night before. They charge extra for a lot of things - lights, charging stations, showers. It’s good to have an extra battery for your phone.

Prafleuri accepts credit cards, but it's not always guaranteed, so it's a good idea to bring some cash for drinks and any additional charges. Their water is not potable (it’s glacier meltwater), so plan to buy bottled water as well, or bring purification.

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