Sources of the Lys

Leave the car in the hamlet of Staffal in Gressoney La Trinité; the trail starts on the right (left bank) of the bridge over the Lys, at the end of the valley; climb for a good stretch in a larch forest interspersed with wide clearings which are very flowery this season; rhododendron patches replace the trees; the trail moves away from the Lys and follows one of its side branches, until on the left appears the glacier moraine, which at the bottom is covered with rhododendrons and vegetation, and forms a small valley that can be walked on the comfortable trail on the right or on the top of the moraine itself. After the fork to Gnifetti, two slabs which can be easily passed, taking advantage of chains if necessary. The trail crosses a stream on a wooden footbridge, then starts to climb steeply reaching the moraine ridge; at the summit, when the terrain becomes less steep, a small trail marked with a white arrow leads to the sources, characterized by a beautiful turquoise pond, with emerging ice, at about 2400 m altitude. Those who want return to the trail and continue to follow the ridge or, when it has collapsed, move right, up to the end of the moraine, which reaches about 2700 meters in front of the impressive Lys and Felik icefall.

Hiking boots, snowshoes, backpack, waterproof jacket.

The initial route is very easy, but near the moraine you need to be careful, as it is a fairly steep section.

Turin-Aosta highway exit Pont S. Martin, S.S. 505 direction Gressoney.

Pass Gressoney-La Trinité, and arrive at Staffal.

Railway line connecting Milan and Turin to the Aosta Valley with a stop at Pont-Saint-Martin.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin station, take the Vita line bus towards Gressoney and get off at the last stop in the locality of Staffal in Gressoney La Trinité.

Large parking area in the locality of Staffal in Gressoney La Trinité.