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810401

Trient - Catogne - Col de Balme
Walk 8104

Canton - Valais / Wallis - Vallee du Trient

Author - Trient Office de Tourisme

Length - 6.5 km / 4.1 miles

Ascent - 1060 metres / 3498 feet

Descent - 100 metres / 330 feet

Time - 4.00 hours

Grade - moderate

Photo from the walk - Trient - Catogne - Col de Balme
Click image to visit gallery of 2 images.

A hike to the Col de Balme that can be combined with walk 8103 or walk 8105 to provide a good full-day circuit.

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

From the village of Trient follow the long zigzags of the Vallorcine path that climbs up through the wooded hillside to the Alp of Les Tseppes. Once clear of the trees there are superb views across and along the Trient valley.

The path continues around the northern ridge of the Croix de Fer to reach Catogne where a number of paths meet. Ignore the right hand path climbing to the saddle between the Croix de Fer and Tête de Balme instead following the left hand path. This leads in a large arc to cross into French territory as the path contours around the Tête de Balme to reach the Col De Balme.

From here a number of options are possible including a visit to the summit of the Tête or the Croix de Fer, before returning to Trient by either of the route suggested above.

Suggested Maps

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

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Stay Safe

Do enjoy yourself when out walking and choose a route that is within your capabilities especially with regard to navigation.

Do turn back if the weather deteriorates especially in winter or when visibility is poor.

Do wear the right clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. If the weather is likely to change for the worse make sure you have enough extra clothing in your pack.

Do tell someone where you are planning to walk especially in areas that see few other walkers.

Do take maps and other navigational aids. Do not rely on mobile devices in areas where reception is poor. Take spare batteries especially in cold weather.

Do check the weather forecast before leaving.

Do do not exceed your capabilities.

Please Note - These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that Walking Sitzerland is not held responsible for the safety or well being of those following the routes as described. It is worth reiterating the point that you should embark on a walk with the correct maps at the most detailed scale where possible. This will enable any difficulties with route finding to be assessed, and corrective action taken if necessary.