Who we are
Our passion for the mountains and love for our territory made us undertake this fantastic adventure more than 50 years ago.
A bit of history…
The Shambalà mountain refuge is managed by the Spazzadeschi family: Flavio, Lella, and Alessandro, along with Eugenio Castelli.
Their journey as mountain hut keepers began in 1984 with the management of the “Casera Vecchia” refuge in the Varrone Valley. From the start, the family knew this was the path to invest in, as it perfectly reflected their love for the mountains and their desire for freedom.
In 1986, the family took over the management of the “Capanna Vittoria” refuge at Alpe Giumello, embarking on this new adventure with enthusiasm and determination. On July 1, 1987, the refuge was fully renovated. A year later, the family purchased the refuge and managed it for twenty-one years until 2008.
The new Shambalà Refuge, which opened in August 2008, is located at Alpe Giumello in a panoramic position overlooking Como Lake, Lugano Lake, Monte Rosa, Monte Cervino, and the Orobic Prealps. It is easily accessible by car (1 hour and 30 minutes from Milan, via SS36 exit Bellano – direction Taceno, Casargo, Alpe Giumello; or by the new Valsassina road – direction Lecco, Ballabio, Taceno).
The beauty and richness of the Prealps are a significant tourist attraction. The refuge is strategically located just above Como Lake, naturally overlooking both Valsassina and the Swiss Alps. This is why we like to call ourselves “the terrace over Como Lake.”
The experience gained over the years (you don’t become a mountain hut keeper overnight!) combined with the energy and positivity that the Spazzadeschi family invests in their work creates a warm and friendly atmosphere. The Refuge offers a restaurant with traditional local dishes and 6 rooms with private bathrooms, accommodating up to 18 guests (with options for bed and breakfast, half board, or full board).
Unconditional love for the mountains
At Shambalà Refuge, you’ll find a perfect blend of our family’s love for the mountains and our dedication to our land.
Our love for the mountains is at the heart of our management and stems from Flavio Spazzadeschi’s various mountaineering expeditions, especially in the Himalayas (climbing over eight thousand meters, exploring Ladakh, Patagonia, and Lanskar). The family’s experience with Tibetan culture inspired the creation of the “Shambalà Refuge” and its name, which could be translated as “Paradise.”