Rifugio Val Di Togno: a secluded hideaway in the Italian Alps with endless views
Rifugio Val di Togno is a guest house located at 1317m altitude in the Italian Alps, positioning itself as a secluded hideaway for relaxation, creativity and long walks.
Rifugio Val di Togno offers a retreat where guests can experience unspoiled nature and escape the pressures of modern life. Combining comfort and luxury with a true ‘into the wild’ experience, the Rifugio is more than just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace the wild beauty of the Alps. Untouched by most and almost impossible to access, the valley offers a rare sense of tranquility and solitude.
The Rifugio was built in the early 1900s as a customs outpost to monitor smuggling routes between Italy and Switzerland. Abandoned in the sixties, it was turned into a Rifugio in the eighties before falling into disrepair once again. In 2019, Belgian writer and journalist Thomas Siffer bought the Rifugio. Looking for a remote place to write, preferably a cottage in the mountains, he fell immediately in love with the rifugio and saw potential to transform the abandoned, run-down border post into a luxury holiday home.
Also in 2019, Thomas Siffer's daughter Luna Lybeer and her partner Wout Allegaert bought a Volkswagen T3 Joker they named Willy. They set off on a road trip for six months, heading to Kyrgyzstan and driving all the way to the border with China. Just before returning home - they were already in Bulgaria - Thomas Siffer called with the proposal to run the rifugio. The camper immediately set sail for the Italian Alps and Val di Togno has been their home ever since.
The extensive reconstruction took three years, including hundreds of helicopter flights carrying building materials: no truck gets up the mountain. In addition, several architectural tricks had to be performed to fit the new wooden support structure and the new wooden cladding around the stone outer walls. All these years, Luna Lybeer and Wout Allegaert lived in a tiny house next to the rifugio and supervised the renovation work. Today, they are responsible for maintaining the building, welcoming the guests, preparing all the meals and guiding the hikes.
With natural spring water, energy by water turbine, and local larch wood cladding, the Rifugio is now a passive energy building that blends its historical charm with environmental responsibility. Surrounded by lush forests, alpine meadows, and towering peaks, the location offers a variety of activities for nature lovers. Whether it's hiking along scenic trails, foraging for seasonal fruits and wild mushrooms, or observing local wildlife such as deer, wild boar, and chamois, the opportunities for outdoor adventure are endless.
The Rifugio features a spacious, open-plan living area with large windows overlooking the valley, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. It has a fully equipped kitchen, a dining space, a cozy fireplace, and a terrace that enhances the connection to the surrounding landscape. The accommodation includes five distinct rooms, each designed for comfort and equipped with en-suite bathrooms. The offerings range from a spacious suite with multiple terraces to family-friendly options and private rooms.
In the valley, there are no bars, restaurants, or shops — just endless views, alpine meadows, and a landscape teeming with wildlife. Rifugio Val di Togno is a place for those seeking a quiet retreat, a family getaway, or a team-building experience. It’s designed to inspire creativity, connection, and relaxation. Due to its remote location, Rifugio Val di Togno offers full-board accommodation, meaning all meals, drinks, and essentials are included in the rate. The Rifugio’s unique location and focus on sustainability create a setting where visitors can completely disconnect from the outside world. Meals are mostly vegetarian and home-cooked, using locally sourced ingredients that are either homegrown, foraged, or supplied by local farmers.
“We offer our guests nothing, so that can get away from everything'
— Luna Lybeer
Rifugio Val di Togno
23020 Spriana, Italy
Rates: From 150 euros per person per day, minimum three days. Accommodation and three meals per day included.
THE HOSTS
Before opening the Rifugio, the Belgian couple Luna Lybeer and Wout Allegaert lived in the valley for three years, exploring its secrets, learning from local shepherds and hunters, and immersing themselves in the area's flora and fauna.
Lybeer's love for adventure began at the age of seven when her parents took her on a sailing trip around the world. At seventeen, she set off alone for Southeast Asia, then lived and worked in Australia for two years. Upon returning to Ghent, she worked in the hospitality industry, where she met Wout, an educator with a passion for cycling and road trips.
As a child, Luna Lybeer sailed around the world with her parents. Her world has known few boundaries since then. As a seventeen-year-old, she left for Southeast Asia on her own for six months, then lived and worked in Australia for two years. Back in Ghent, she worked in hospitality and met the adventurous Wout Allegaert, who was an educator. In 2019, they bought a Volkswagen T3 Joker they named Willy. They set off on a road trip for six months, heading to Kyrgyzstan and driving all the way to the border with China. Just before returning home - they were already in Bulgaria - Thomas Siffer called with the proposal to run the rifugio. The camper immediately set sail for the Italian Alps and Val di Togno has been their home ever since.
The couple take care of every aspect of the Rifugio Val di Togno, from the maintenance of the building, to the reception of guests, the guide of walks and the preparation of all meals.
With Rifugio Val di Togno, Luna and Wout aim to offer a space where guests can disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature in its purest form. The couple is committed to preserving the natural beauty and tranquility of Val di Togno, ensuring that the Rifugio remains a place of peace and solitude, free from the disruptions of mass tourism.
THE RENOVATION
Driven by a lifelong dream of owning a remote mountain retreat, Thomas Siffer and Els Lybeer, decided to purchase the Rifugio in 2019. They envisioned a modern, sustainable refuge that could serve as both a personal escape and a place that would contribute positively to the local community- a challenge that their daughter Luna Lybeer and her partner Wout Allegaert took on.
The purchase marked the beginning of an ambitious renovation that was far from smooth. The project faced delays due to several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and bureaucratic disputes, which slowed progress in the early stages. However, the Belgian couple, together with Luna’s parents and architect Gian Piero Ioli, designed a renovation that would blend modernity with the building’s historical character. The new design emphasised the use of wood, with large windows—nearly 10 meters long—providing stunning views of the surrounding valley. The renovation also included the construction of a terrace extending over the forest and plans for guest rooms, a sauna, and expansive communal spaces, creating a space where people could enjoy both beauty and comfort.
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