Tour des Six: Gressoney Valley

Discover the Gressoney Valley in Valle d'Aosta

Travelling up the Aosta Valley from Turin, the first valley branching off to the right is Gressoney Valley, renowned as the settling place of the Walser people - merchants and artisans who migrated from Germany in the 18th century. The northern end of the valley borders with the Swiss Canton of Vallais, to the west with Val d’Ayas, and is drained by the River Lys which rises on the Lys glacier and can be seen clinging to the slopes of the great Monte Rosa range. Some of the highest peaks in the Monte Rosa range lie along the Italian/Swiss border, such as Castor 4,221m, Western Lyskamm 4,481m, Eastern Lyskamm 4,527m. It is connected to Switzerland by several passes (Lys at an altitude of 4,248m) and to Val d’Ayas (Bettaforca at 2,676m, Valnera at 2,676 m). 



The valley has strong tourist potential, this is boosted in winter owing to Monterosa Ski resort which links Val d’Ayas, Gressoney Valley and Valsesia. Both short summer walks and demanding mountain hikes are made more pleasurable thanks to the large number of hospitable huts such as Quintino Sella at Felik at an altitude of 3,585m and Città di Mantova 3,498m which allow you to draw closer to Monte Rosa peaks, but we must not forget Alpenzù Hut at 1,779 m - an enchanting stop-off along Tour des six trail.