Col della Vecchia

One of the passes historically used to connect the Valle del Lys with the Biellese region.
The beautiful mule track, originally built for commercial purposes, climbs to the pass with numerous hairpin turns (around 200). The final section includes slightly exposed stretches, but the path remains very wide, crossing the rocky face.
Just before the pass, there is a rock carving of two women, symbolizing the two valleys. Despite being fairly long, the ascent is comfortable thanks to the consistent gradient of the trail.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right toward Turin. At the second roundabout, turn left toward Gressoney.
After a few hundred meters, take the road on the right into the Valle del Lys, passing through the villages of Lillianes, Fontainemore, and Issime.
Before reaching Gaby, a junction on the right leads to the locality of Tzantelabò. Cross the Lys River, and after a building, descend to the right to reach a large car park.

From the car park, follow the paved road toward the village of Gaby. After a few hundred meters, the start of the mule track appears on the right.
Follow it through the larch forest until reaching the small clearing with the houses of Lamponey. Continue along a series of hairpin turns, first reaching the huts of Beccaz, then those of Trusinot.
The trail continues through the forest, then emerges to cross right toward the huts of Blatti. A short stretch later, a series of tight hairpins turns leading to the Alta Via No. 1 trail.
Follow the trail to the right on level ground, admiring on the left the beautiful carving depicting the brotherhood between the two valleys with two female figures. Shortly after, you will see, also carved in the rock, the list of people who worked on building the mule track.
The path crosses some slightly exposed rocky walls but remains wide, then, after a final stony valley, reaches the pass. In summer, fog from the Biellese area may be present at the pass.
On the return, at the junction, continue level along Alta Via No. 1, then descend along the wide ridge. Cross to the right and descend a valley, often wet and slippery, to reach the abandoned huts of Grignatz Dessus. Continue descending to a junction where Alta Via turns sharply right; instead, turn left to reach the ruins of a chapel.
The trail continues steeply through the forest to the houses of La Rezzia, where a rural road is found. Follow it to the left to return to the car park.