Trail Issime - Gaby

This route takes you through four different valleys.
The first climb goes up the Tourrison Valley to the Crenna dou Leui, a narrow notch in the ridge with Monte Rosa in the background, reminiscent of the famous Col Malatrà.
Below Col della Vecchia, you can see the famous Two Women carvings on the rock face, symbolizing friendship between the valleys.
The route then descends to Gaby along a beautiful mule track with over 200 hairpin bends.
After reaching Issime, continue by climbing the Burrini Valley, cross the Galm, and descend into the San Grato Valley.
This is a truly unforgettable route. Times are calculated assuming a pace one and a half times faster than normal (about 450 meters of ascent per hour).

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right toward Torino. At the second roundabout, turn left toward Gressoney.
After a few hundred meters, take the road to the right that leads into the Lys Valley, passing through the villages of Lillianes and Fontainemore. Continue into Issime until you reach the village, where the church and the car park are visible on the right.

Descend along the stream until you reach the footbridge to cross it. Continue downhill on the opposite bank until you reach the main road. Follow it for a few hundred meters, then turn left to ascend toward the hamlet of Z’uabra Zengji.
At the small car park, take the staircase on the left that leads to the monumental beech tree. The trail climbs steeply, then veers right along a narrow ledge that crosses a slightly exposed rocky section, with fixed ropes in some parts for safety.
Continue ascending through the terraced fields to reach the village of Biouley. From the chapel, follow the mule track that climbs to the left, passing through forested areas and small grassy terraces with traditional alpine huts. This leads to the flatter part of the valley, where the Turriti and Turrudschu huts are located.
Proceed along the valley to Kredemi hut, notable for the large pile of stones protecting it from avalanches. Continue along the left side of the valley to reach Mianda hut, where the trail to Lago Chiaro is left behind. Begin a steep climb on the left, navigating some challenging sections and a final traverse with a fixed rope to reach the narrow pass of Crenna dou Leui.
Descend a steep gully and cross wide rocky basins where the path may not always be clear. A short climb brings you to Col della Vecchia. Continue along the mule track that winds through the rock walls; on your right, there is a plaque listing the builders of the trail and, shortly after, the famous carving of the two women.
Leave the Alta Via 1 and Tor des Géants routes, and descend through a series of tight switchbacks to reach the Foumtoany huts. Continue through more switchbacks until you reach the paved road. Turn left and, just before the restaurant, follow the path to the left to the car park, then continue along a rural road to the Undre-Zinnisili hamlet of Issime, crossing the stream.
Continue straight, cross the regional road, and ascend the road leading to San Grato. At the first curve, take the small lane on the right marking the start of the trail. The path climbs steeply along the rocky mountain slope to reach a small votive shrine above a waterfall, entering a narrow side valley.
The trail continues steeply along the rocks on the left to reach a clearing where the Ronh huts are located. Cross the forest and a stream via a small footbridge. The path climbs steadily to about 1,500 meters, where a long traverse to the left leads to Stuale.
Cross a small stream and ascend a steep valley in switchbacks to the end, then veer left to reach the Mühnu huts. Leave the trail to Bivacco Cravetto on the right (the large stone cross is visible above) and continue across the basin, ascending along a contour path to pass the ridge.
Continue for a short distance, passing a large stone cairn, to reach the Galm huts. Cross another section and descend steeply to the Mattu huts. Continue briefly, then turn sharply left to join the main San Grato trail, and shortly after, arrive at the chapel of the same name.
Follow the steep path descending to the right along the ridge, cross the rural road, and reach the Hubal houses. The mule track continues with steep steps until reaching the road, follow it briefly, then take the trail that crosses the road a few times and leads back to the village and your car.