Mountain areas classified as “lightly developed” find themselves situated between expanding urban zones (driven by ski resorts) and strictly protected spaces where recreational activities are restricted, creating an interstitial space that is difficult to define yet increasingly shaped by outdoor sports. These areas are characterized by minimal infrastructure, primarily trails, pastures, and huts, contrasting with the concentrated development of ski resorts. Activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and trail running have flourished in these areas, bringing both new opportunities and pressures.

Huts, which play a pivotal role in facilitating access to these landscapes, function as indispensable infrastructure for both recreational and professional pursuits. Beyond serving hikers and climbers, these structures support guides, rescuers, and pastoralists, thereby maintaining a form of seasonal or permanent habitation that challenges the perception of these areas as wilderness. Their presence signifies a long history of human activity in high-altitude environments, from prehistoric shelters like Faravel to contemporary managed refuges.

This study focuses on the Écrins and Mont-Blanc massifs in France and the Valais Alps in Switzerland. Since 2017, we have been conducting participatory research with hut wardens, guides, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to examine governance models, common challenges, and the evolving role of huts. Long-term monitoring of hut visits provides insights into changing practices, while qualitative interviews capture diverse perspectives on “lightly developed mountains.” By integrating historical, empirical, and governance perspectives, our research refines the concept of “lightly developed mountains” from a hut perspective