Refuge de la Caverne Dufour (Piton des Neiges)

The Refuge de la Caverne Dufour is at an altitude of 2,400m, offering a friendly and welcoming experience, often disconnected from reality and more rustic than what you’re used to. When you arrive at the refuge you can expect: to be welcomed in person, hot and cold drinks available upon request, a hot evening meal served in a dining room (set menu)... To make the organisation and management of supplies at the refuge easier, we recommend you reserve your meals when you book your stay, or at least 48hrs before you arrive.

This mountain refuge is also called the “gîte du Piton des Neiges” and it is an essential stopover for hikers. They have 4 dormitories with 48 beds altogether, plus 16 beds in bungalows (military tents). All year round, you’ll need to bring a sleeping bag or survival blanket because at an altitude of over 2,400 m, the evenings can be cold! We also recommend you bring a sleeping bag liner for added comfort.

Like most of the mountain refuges of France, this completely isolated refuge is a stopover in an exceptional part of natural heritage that must be protected. Here, water is a rare and precious resource. As a priority, it is used for ensuring the day-to-day operation of the gîte (cooking, cleaning) and for the toilets. You are strongly recommended to bring enough water for hiking (2 days), as well as for washing yourself, because there is no running water here. Bottles of water are on sale at the refuge.

The refuge is a 75-minute walk from the peak of the Piton des Neiges. Make sure you get up early to experience the sunset from the peak of the Indian Ocean, and when you get back, breakfast will be waiting for you (ask the refuge keeper for serving times).
Hikers will discover almost the whole island at sunset: the Cirques of Mafate, Salazie and Cilaos, the volcano and a part of the island’s coastline.
Due to the current health pandemic, the shelter will not be run in the same way as usual, and the welcome and services offered may differ. Each guest or group will have to bring their own specific equipment: individual items for protection or disinfection, duvet, personal linen, sleeping bag, etc.

Pets are not allowed. Price indicated is in the low season.

As a reminder, this refuge is in a fragile environment, at the heart of a National Park: take all rubbish with you, including anything biodegradable - especially on footpaths that can’t easily be accessed by public services. Waste from the refuge is evacuated by helicopter.
The best waste is that which doesn’t exist!
The energy produced on-site is reserved for the day-to-day operation of the refuge: no television or plug sockets to recharge telephones or cameras.

It is strictly forbidden to camp near the Piton des Neiges refuge.

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