Issime between Walser culture and mountain trails

Issime in the Middle Lys Valley

Issime is a small village in the Middle Lys Valley at an altitude of 953 metres. The village lies on a plain between green meadows and forests, at the foot of Mont Néry. Here, a clearly defined mountain landscape, Walser linguistic tradition, and historic buildings come together.

Walser culture and historic traces

At the Museo parrocchiale di Issime, you can visit underground archaeological excavations of the original structure: it is an early Christian funerary basilica dating from the 5th century.

Casa Alby, now Bastrenta, is a Maison del Pouhrta in Issime. The presence of the associated family can be traced back to the 15th century.

Language is also part of the local heritage. Töitschu is still spoken in Issime today, a dialect with distinctly Germanic roots passed down by the Walser people. The Eischem Mert is also held every summer. The market showcases the local handicraft tradition with works and products made from wood, stone, wicker, textiles, and other materials, as well as typical products from the Aosta Valley.

Meadows, forests, and the Vallone di San Grato

There are numerous stadels in the Issime area; some of the most interesting are located in the Vallone di San Grato. The upper part of this valley has been used as summer pasture for many centuries. There, you will encounter historic forms of land use alongside a landscape shaped by meadows, forests, and mountain trails.

Trails through the valley

A circular trail leads through the Vallone di San Grato. It begins at the Chapel of San Grato, takes in the valley’s cultural heritage, and extends to the Chapel of Mühni, dedicated to the Madonna delle Nevi and located at an altitude of 2,000 metres.

The 90-kilometre Monte Rosa WalserWaeg follows impressive trails and crosses passes through the municipalities of Gaby and Issime. From Issime, an easy unpaved path also runs along the banks of the Lys to Gaby. There is an equipped picnic area along the route.

On the Issime–Hurllji route, the ascent passes close to the Chapel of the Grotta di SS. Agonia; the more panoramic section begins afterwards. Thus, the trails described range from an easy riverside path to an ascent with wider views, and from a circular trail through the valley’s cultural heritage to a longer route across mountain passes.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

The “Pont-Saint-Martin – Gressoney” bus route goes to Issime and takes approximately half an hour. When planning your trip, you can therefore combine your journey with the specific themes of the village and its trails.

If you choose a hotel in Issime, you can plan your stay around the historic traces in the village, Walser culture, the Vallone di San Grato, or the trails to Gaby and Hurllji.

More destinations: Valsavarenche, Jovencan, Morgex, Pré-Saint-Didier, Introd, Aosta, Charvensod, Brusson.

Back to the main travel overview: Aosta Valley.