Walk 8103 - Trient - Col de Balme - Croix de Fer

   
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A grand hike into the mountains to reach a superb viewpoint overlooking the village of Trient. In addition to an excellent panorama across Switzerland you also benefit from seeing Mont Blanc and the mountains around Chamonix in France.

Start & End - the village of Trient, 10 km. southwest of Martigny (VS).

From the village of Trient follow the road to Le Peuty. From here take the signed path to Col de Balme. You are now following a section of the 'Tour du Mont Blanc'. The path crosses meadows to cross the Nant Noir stream.

The climb now begins as the path zigzags through trees. Leaving the trees, you climb more easily across mountain pastures to the huts at Les Herbagères. Shortly afterwards the zigzags reappear and the gradient steepens for the final pull up to the Col de Balme with its sturdy stone-built refuge (refreshments in season).

The Col is on the Swiss-French frontier and the onward path bears left before reaching the refuge. The path continues to a small Col between the Tête de Balme and the Croix de Fer. Reaching this Col fork right to follow the narrow path that climbs to the airy summit of the Croix de Fer (2343 m.). The cross itself is located on the north side just beyond the summit.

Suggested Maps

Landeskarte der Schweiz - 1:50000 - Sheet SW 5003 - Mont Blanc - Grand Combin