In 2018, after walking 900 kilometres through the Pyrenees, Stef van Dongen arrived in the Muga Valley and felt an unexpected sense of homecoming. “At that point, I had no relationship, no home, and had just handed over my company,” he recalls. The journey helped him reconnect with a deeper purpose, and a childhood dream of living in the wild. After two and a half months in silence, he reached the valley and knew he had arrived. But beneath its beauty, the land was struggling. Decades of overuse and prolonged droughts had left the ecosystem fragile. Native forests, stripped by logging, had been replaced by invasive species. The overcrowded trees choked biodiversity, drained the soil, and reduced water absorption, drying the valley and the Muga River. In 2024, the Darnius-Boadella Reservoir reached just 12% of its capacity.To help restore balance, Stef began bringing people together around a new model of land stewardship – one rooted in regeneration. He settled in the valley and turned a farmhouse into a gathering place for impact investor and change makers. With official permits slow to arrive, Stef turned to emergence. He spent the time listening, to the land and to the people, and building trust through simple acts.
It began with a vision: to create a place where people could reconnect to nature, and through that, to themselves. Not performative, not polished, just real. True. Since 2024, we’ve continued building on that vision together. What makes this place so special isn’t just its location, though the moss-covered forests, ancient trees, and gentle river feel almost otherworldly. It’s the feeling you get when you arrive. The deep exhale. The sudden clarity. The sense that, here, you’re part of something timeless. There’s no rush in the valley. The stillness holds you. The wild surrounds you. You wake with the light, sleep with the stars, and spend your days simply being, in the company of others or in quiet solitude. And that’s where the transformation begins.
In 2018, after walking 900 kilometres through the Pyrenees, Stef van Dongen arrived in the Muga Valley and felt an unexpected sense of homecoming. “At that point, I had no relationship, no home, and had just handed over my company,” he recalls. The journey helped him reconnect with a deeper purpose, and a childhood dream of living in the wild. After two and a half months in silence, he reached the valley and knew he had arrived. But beneath its beauty, the land was struggling. Decades of overuse and prolonged droughts had left the ecosystem fragile. Native forests, stripped by logging, had been replaced by invasive species. The overcrowded trees choked biodiversity, drained the soil, and reduced water absorption, drying the valley and the Muga River. In 2024, the Darnius-Boadella Reservoir reached just 12% of its capacity.To help restore balance, Stef began bringing people together around a new model of land stewardship – one rooted in regeneration. He settled in the valley and turned a farmhouse into a gathering place for impact investor and change makers. With official permits slow to arrive, Stef turned to emergence. He spent the time listening, to the land and to the people, and building trust through simple acts.
Stef organised village pizza parties: “I’d bring the dough, drinks, and music. At the first one, 50 came. By the third, we were over 150.” Through those gatherings, four shared concerns emerged: forest fires, lack of water, economic pressure, and a deep erosion of trust. “That last one really hit me,” Stef says. “Because when trust breaks down, crises like wildfires become chaos. But when trust is strong, communities come together. Healthy soils and forests address all of it,” he explains. “They hold water, prevent fires, generate jobs – and when restored together, rebuild connection.” His goal: to create a working model of regeneration, where the economy supports land, water, and community. He founded The Pioneers of Our Time, and nowadays thousands from across 68 municipalities have joined the effort. Together, they thin forests to retain water, reintroduce native species, and organise community festivals. In restored areas, aquifers hold 30% more water, and vultures and wolves have returned to the valley after over a century. “This story isn’t just about us,” Stef reflects. “It’s about the next seven generations. Living here brings clarity, health, and a deep sense of belonging. We love to share the wild beauty of The Muga Valley with you.”
Watch the extraordinary journey of The Muga Valley on your screen. Through cinematic storytelling and the eyes of the river, the people, and the vulture, nature’s patient witness, the film reveals how regeneration unfolds: slowly, deeply, and through the hands and hearts of those who care. The story begins with a vision, a drying river and a valley at risk, but evolves into a movement of restoration, a love story, connection, and hope. It shows that when we listen to nature and to one another we can reimagine how we live on this planet. Because, as we say: When the Muga stops flowing, so will we.
High in the untamed beauty of the Muga Valley, The Home in the Mountains, locally known as Mas Les Vinyes, is more than just a place to stay. It’s an invitation to reconnect with nature, with community, and with yourself. Nestled deep in the Spanish Pyrenees, this secluded retreat blends comfort, serenity, and purpose, creating an experience that lingers long after you leave. Here, time slows. Surrounded by rolling forests, sun-dappled vineyards, and endless horizons, guests are invited to breathe deeply, move mindfully, and live intentionally.
The Home in the Mountains is available by request only, making it ideal for families, private occasions, photo shoots, or multi-day corporate retreats.
Along the sparkling Muga River, Mas Nou welcomes families and small groups to explore the valley by hiking or cycling. This four-bedroom house features a warm living room, a fully equipped kitchen, multiple terraces, and quiet riverside spaces—perfect for lingering over a morning coffee or watching the sunset.
For those seeking intimate charm and timeless character, Casa El Pastor invites you to settle in and soak up the rhythms of village life. Here, every window frames a story, of rolling hills, grazing animals, and the gentle hum of the valley, making it a perfect base to slow down, reconnect, and savor the essence of this magical landscape.
At Mas Costa, rural life unfolds at your doorstep. Surrounded by nature, it offers a simple, authentic experience that serves as a starting point for long walks, cycling excursions, or days filled with the sights, sounds, and scents of the valley.