Walking Holidays & Outdoor Adventures at Refuge de Longon

A High-Mountain Waypoint on the GR5

‍A remote Alpine refuge where long-distance journeys slow, pause, and continue.

Refuge de Longon is a high-mountain refuge in the Haute Tinée, within Mercantour National Park, positioned directly on the GR5 long-distance trail. Sitting far above the valley floor and accessible only on foot, it plays a vital role in enabling multi-day walking holidays and serious hiking adventures through the southern French Alps.

This is not a destination in the conventional sense. Refuge de Longon exists because of the route it serves — a place where walkers crossing high passes can rest, regroup, and continue their journey through exposed Alpine terrain. For those travelling the GR5 toward the Mediterranean, it marks a clear shift into a wilder, more elemental landscape.

A Place Shaped by Movement

Walking here is defined by altitude, distance, and weather. Routes leading to Refuge de Longon climb steadily from surrounding valleys, passing through alpine meadows and open mountain basins before reaching the refuge’s remote setting.

For walkers on long-distance routes, the refuge provides:

• A safe overnight stop between demanding stages
• Shelter in an area with limited alternatives
• A natural pause point in journeys shaped by elevation rather than convenience

The experience is purposeful and understated — focused on movement, terrain, and the rhythm of travel on foot.

Why Walk to Refuge de Longon

• Positioned directly on the GR5 long-distance route
• Essential waypoint for multi-day walking holidays in the Haute Tinée
• Located within Mercantour National Park, surrounded by protected high-mountain terrain
• Accessible only on foot, reinforcing its role as part of the journey
• A classic example of Alpine refuge culture supporting self-guided travel

This is a place for walkers who understand that progress in the mountains is measured in days, not distances.

Nearby Trails

GR5 — Haute Tinée Section

‍The GR5 passes directly by Refuge de Longon as it crosses the upper Tinée. This section is among the most demanding in the southern Alps, with long climbs, high passes, and extended distances between settlements.

The refuge allows walkers to break challenging stages safely, making sustained progress through otherwise exposed terrain possible.

A Places to Stay at Refuge de Longon

Refuge de Longon is a working mountain refuge, offering simple accommodation designed to support walkers and hikers rather than tourism in the conventional sense.

Facilities are basic, communal, and purposeful — reflecting the refuge’s role as an essential waypoint rather than a destination stay.

View Refuge de Longon as a place to stay

Explore the Area

Refuge de Longon sits within the Tinée Valley / Haute Tinée, a landscape defined by steep valley walls, high passes, and long-distance movement through Mercantour.

Nearby places connected by foot include:

• Roure — a mountain village providing access to high-level routes
• Upper Tinée passes linking toward neighbouring Alpine valleys
• Extended GR5 stages connecting the Alps to the Mediterranean

From here, journeys continue outward rather than inward.