The idea to build the Rifugio Maria Luisa originated during the council meeting of the Busto CAI (Italian Alpine Club) on October 21, 1936—the organization that still owns the structure today. The purpose was to create a support point that would offer shelter and refreshment to the mountaineers of that era, who were engaged in exploring the surrounding area. The refuge was created by joining three buildings originally used in the construction of the Lake Toggia dam, which was tested on December 30, 1933, by the Girola company.

At the foot of the dam—44 meters high and 199 meters wide—in a basin sheltered from avalanches and immersed in the greenery of summer pastures, lies "our home." The refuge is located in the Val Toggia area at 2,160 meters above sea level. Starting from Riale, you ascend along the historic winding road built to connect Italy with Switzerland via the San Giacomo Pass, once open to traffic but now closed to ordinary vehicles. You can reach us on foot or by bicycle in the summer (with an average travel time of about 2 hours), and on skis, snowshoes, or a fat bike in the winter.

Products or services offered (e.g., local specialties, regional products, guided experiences).
We are here to suggest routes (some of which you can also find on Itinerarium), to refresh you after a walk with homemade cakes and wine, to offer you accommodation during a trek, to make you a quick coffee for a short break, or to serve you a craft Ossolana beer to replenish the minerals lost to get here. We look forward to welcoming you!!