Niel from Gaby

This loop trail takes you to the charming villages of Gruba and Niel, which were once densely populated.
The buildings in both villages clearly showcase the impressive stone-building skills of Gaby’s inhabitants.
The ascent is entirely through the forest, while the descent offers beautiful views of Gaby and the valley below.

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 Valle del Lys, passing through Lillianes, Fontainemore, and Issime.
Arrive at the village of Gaby, and just before the bridge over the Niel stream, turn right toward Niel.
Follow the stream, and shortly after the municipal building, turn right. Continue past a hairpin turn to reach the small car park.

From the car park, follow the paved road uphill to its end, then continue along the rural road.
At the first junction, take the left path, which climbs through a meadow area and then back into the forest until reaching the abandoned houses of Valghiveira.
From here, continue through dense forest to Kocia, where you join the Alta Via No. 1 trail, also part of the Tor des Géants route.
A long traverse through the forest follows, with a descending section leading to the bridge over the Niel stream.
Climb slightly on the left to reach a second bridge, and shortly after, the village of La Gruba with its restaurant, where a lunch stop is possible.
From La Gruba, a short flat section brings you to Niel, which you cross downhill, admiring the charming buildings, until reaching the paved road. Follow it briefly to the hairpin turn, where the mulattiera resumes.
Continue along the paved road, passing the houses of Chanton, until you find on the left the path descending along the ridge.
The path intersects the paved road at several points, and just before the last crossing, take the left trail that allows you to cross the Niel stream via a characteristic canal bridge. A few dozen meters later, you reach the road, which you follow uphill to the car park.