In the past they were simple mountain shelters which could be used by mountaineers as base camps. Today they are stopover places for confirmed hikers crossing the National Park.
They are open to all. They are not hotels but more basic places to stay.
They are guarded by wardens who have chosen to live this way for a few months a year, away from the valleys and in the heart of nature.
In a refuge a few rules are indispensable : respect others, timetables and silence, tidiness, cleanliness, etc. Respecting these rules will mean making the most of your stay and your "climb up to the refuge" will be one of your best mountaineering memories.

Reservation :

Compulsory for groups minimum 2 months in advance. Compulsory for individuals 48 hours in advance (Outside July and August it is not compulsory but recommended for individuals in the refuges belonging to the National Park).
Refuges within the National Park are by definition not accessible by car.
They are generally only guarded in the Summer.
In Winter a small part of each refuge stays open and can only be used as a shelter.

Services :

*Night accommodation is their main vocation.
*Meals in guarded refuges
*Information : weather forecast, routes, etc.
*Emergency calls to mountain rescue.

Sleeping arrangements in refuges are in large dormitories.
The most modern refuges offer smaller sleeping units. Only matresses and blankets are provided. For those who do not wish to eat the meal cooked by the keeper, a separate room is available. Bathroom facilities are very basic.

- Arrémoulit refuge :
Alt. 2305 m, 29 places, open from 2th June until 29th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1547 OT).
Telephone : 05 59 05 31 79 Run by : CAF Pau.

- Pombie refuge :
Alt. 2032 m, 50 places, open from 1st June until 3th October
(Map IGN TOP 25 1547 OT)
Telephone : 05 59 05 31 78 Run by : CAF Pau.

- Ayous refuge :
Alt. 1980 m, 50 places, open from 15th June until 15th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1547 OT)
Telephone : 05 59 05 37 00 Owner : Parc National des Pyrénées
Gerant : Mme DOMEC Louisa - Telephone : 05 59 05 36 14

Arlet refuge :
Alt. 2000 m, 43 places, open from 15th June until 15th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1547 OT)
Telephone : 05 59 36 00 99 Owner : Parc National des Pyrénées
Gerant : M. DUFRAISSE Jean-Michel - Telephone : 05 59 34 76 88

- Migouélou refuge :
Alt. 2278 m, 35 places, open from 15th June until 15th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1647 OT)
Telephone (refuge) : 05 62 97 44 92 Owner : Parc National des Pyrénées.
Gerant : M. Yannick LE LAY- Telephone : 06 83 94 57 06

- Larribet refuge :
Alt. 2072 m, 60 places, open from 1st June until 30th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1647 OT)
Telephone : 05 62 97 25 39 Run by : CAF Lourdes.
Site internet : www.refuge.larribet.free.fr

- Oulettes de Gaube refuge :
Alt. 2151 m, 75 places, open from 1st June until 30th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1647 OT)
Telephone : 05 62 92 62 97 Run by : CAF Lourdes.

- Wallon - Marcadau refuge :
Alt. 1865 m, 120 places, open from 1st June until 2th October
(Map IGN TOP 25 1647 OT)
Telephone : 05 62 92 64 28 Run by : CAF Tarbes.

- Ilhéou refuge :
Alt. 1988 m, 50 places, open from 1st June until 1st October
(Map IGN TOP 25 1647 OT)
Telephone : 05 62 92 52 38 Owner : CSSS

- Espuguettes refuge :
Alt. 2027 m, 60 places, open from 15th June until 15th September
(Map IGN TOP 25 1748 OT)
Telephone : 05 62 92 40 63 Owner : Parc National des Pyrénées
Gerant : M. TAMAREL Patrick - Telephone : 05 62 92 30 80

- Brèche de Roland refuge :
Alt. 2557 m, open from 28th April until 2th October
(Map IGN TOP 25 1748 OT)
Telephone : 06 83 38 13 24 Run by : CAF Tarbes.

- Tuquerouye refuge :
Alt. 2660 m, 11 places, unguarded
(Map IGN TOP 25 1748 OT)
Run by : CAF Lourdes.

- Baysselance refuge : :
Alt. 2651 m, 58 places, close summer 2001 and 2002
(Map IGN TOP 25 1647 OT)
Run by : CAF Tarbes. Tel. 05 62 36 56 06

- Barroude refuge :
Alt. 2400 m, 35 places, open from 15th June until 15th October
(Map IGN TOP 25 1748 ET)
Telephone : 05 62 39 61 10 Owner : Parc National des Pyrénées
Gerant : M. FAGET Christian - Telephone : 05 59 62 70 93

Some of these refuges are open at week-ends outside the Summer season. Information from the CAF (Club Alpin Français) and the Parc National des Pyrénées.