Issime between Walser culture and mountain trails

Issime between the Lys Valley and Mont Néry

Issime is a small village in the middle Lys Valley at an altitude of 953 metres. It lies on a plain between green meadows and forests at the foot of Mont Néry. Along the Lys and in the Vallone di San Grato, there are trails with different characteristics, from the easy riverside path to the circular route up to the chapel of Mühni.

Töitschu, a dialect with unmistakably Germanic roots passed down by the Walser people, is still spoken in Issime today.

The Eischem Mert takes place every summer and showcases Issime's local craft tradition with works and products made from wood, stone, wicker, textiles and other materials, as well as typical products from the Aosta Valley.

Historic traces in the village and valley

At the Museo parrocchiale di Issime, visitors can see underground archaeological excavations of the original building. It is an Early Christian funerary basilica dating from the 5th century.

Casa Alby is now called Bastrenta and is a Maison del Pouhrta in Issime. The associated family's presence dates back to the 15th century.

There are numerous stadels in the Issime area; some of the most interesting ones are in the Vallone di San Grato. The upper part of this vallone has been used as summer pasture for many centuries.

Trails along the Lys and in the Vallone di San Grato

Along the Lys, you can plan a break at the equipped picnic area on the way to Gaby. The circular route in the vallone leads to the chapel of Mühni, while the route to Hurllji begins with an ascent. The 90-kilometre Monte Rosa WalserWaeg crosses passes through Gaby and Issime.

A circular route leads through the Vallone di San Grato. It begins at the chapel of San Grato, takes in the valley's cultural heritage and reaches the chapel of Mühni, which is dedicated to the Madonna delle Nevi and lies at an altitude of 2,000 metres.

A flat, unpaved path runs along the banks of the Lys from Issime to Gaby. There is an equipped picnic area along the path.

On the Issime–Hurllji route, the ascent passes close to the chapel of the Grotta di SS. Agonia; afterwards, the more panoramic section begins. The 90-kilometre Monte Rosa WalserWaeg follows impressive trails and crosses passes through the municipalities of Gaby and Issime.

Getting to Issime

The “Pont-Saint-Martin – Gressoney” bus line goes to Issime; the journey takes approximately half an hour.

Other destinations for orientation: Villeneuve, Etroubles, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Valpelline, La Thuile, Coveyrand, Pollein and Rhemes-Saint-Georges.

For the overarching travel overview: Aosta Valley.