High Route 1 — Stage 5: Niel → Gressoney-Saint-Jean

Stage five is the longest and most solitary of this sequence: 18 kilometres of airborne traverse above the Lys valley linking the tiny Walser hamlet of Niel to the town of Gressoney-Saint-Jean. The path gains elevation quickly, leaving behind tree cover to enter a landscape of pastures, scree fields and exposed ridges. Along the traverse walkers pass several still-active summer farms — small stone structures where mountain farmers produce DOP Fontina cheese between June and September — and cross the headwaters of the Lys torrent, born from a rocky buttress just below the crest. Monte Rosa accompanies the walk for most of the day: a distant silhouette to the northeast at first, then progressively closer and more overwhelming as the route advances toward Gressoney. The EE rating reflects sustained sun exposure and cumulative elevation rather than any technical passage. Gressoney-Saint-Jean (1385 m) provides everything needed for a genuine rest day: hotels, restaurants, a supermarket, pharmacy and bus connections to Pont-Saint-Martin.

Along the route: from Niel (1388 m), the path passes Alpe Tournalin (2200 m) — Full view of Monte Rosa; Col di Nannaz (2773 m) — Stage high point, iron cross, to Gressoney-Saint-Jean (1385 m). Along the way you reach the Alpenzu Grande refuge, a useful base. The skyline is dominated by Monte Rosa (4634 m), Lyskamm (4527 m), Punta Gnifetti (Signalkuppe) (4554 m).