Refuge de Merdençon

Refuge de Merdençon is a free, unstaffed backcountry hut in the Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne / Réserve naturelle de Chastreix-Sancy area. It’s open to hikers year-round without reservation, with first-come, first-served use.

The refuge is kept by user care (leave it clean and remove your trash). Sleeping capacity is around 13 people on mattresses. Facilities include a fireplace (wood stove/cheminée-style use inside) plus a basic kitchen setup with cookware available; there’s water at a tap. Wood can be collected from the forest nearby (no tools like a full set for cutting provided), and there are benches/table and a mezzanine area inside for sleeping.

Because the hut is inside a protected reserve, follow local regulations: no dogs even on leash at the Merdençon site, and no bivouacs or fires except within the hut enclosure where they’re tolerated (rules can be stricter depending on the reserve). Pack out all waste and keep the area around the refuge tidy for the next party.