Issime – Gaby

A level itinerary linking the villages of Issime and Gaby.
The route follows the Lys stream, with a small climb near the end to visit the giant bench, from which there is a clear view of the village of Gaby.
On the return, it is recommended to take a detour of about 1 km to visit the Sanctuary of Vourry and its Stations of the Cross.
Once back at the car, a visit to the church of Issime is highly recommended.
In Gaby, a statue of the poet Giosuè Carducci has recently been inaugurated. He had composed a poem here:
"The Hostess of Gaby
The alpine meadow is green and dark, and the morning is clear and fresh, and across the firs the sun trembles in gold.
Birds sing in chorus, the small waterfalls murmur, the stream rushes down the Niel valley.
Here are the white houses. The young hostess at the doorstep smiles, greets, and pours the sparkling wine.
Through the mountain gorges, figures fly that I surely saw in the dream of a song of arms and loves."

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, turn left towards Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred metres before turning right onto the Lys Valley road, passing through the villages of Lillianes and Fontainemore.
Continue into the territory of Issime until you reach the village, where the church and car park can be found on the right.

From the car park, walk past the church and enter the village pedestrian street (on the lower right, admire some beautiful windows). Follow it until you reach the bridge over the Lys.
Just after the bridge, turn left and continue along the unpaved road. Follow the road alongside the Lys until you reach the village of Rickard and its charming chapel.
Pass between the houses and continue along the river to reach Tzendelabò (better known as “la Pineta”). From here, the road becomes paved but has limited traffic. Continue a short distance, then turn right onto a rural track that ascends and crosses to reach the giant bench.
Continue along a level stretch until you reach the paved road, which you follow gently uphill. At the junction, descend and just after the hairpin, on the right, take the path leading to a small bridge used to channel water into the ru.
After a short section, descend to the left to reach the paved road leading to Niel. Follow it to the left, cross the bridge, and walk alongside the river until you reach the village square.
Take a short stretch along the main road, then turn onto the narrow street winding between the houses. Shortly after, on the right, you will see a bench with a statue of Giosuè Carducci, who stayed in Gaby and wrote a poem dedicated to the daughter of the innkeeper. Opposite, you will find three wooden sculptures.
Now take the limited-traffic paved street that leads back to Tzendelabò. From here, retrace your outbound route. Optionally, about halfway along, you can make a short detour of approximately one kilometre (round trip) to visit the beautiful Vourry Sanctuary.