Trient - Catogne - Col de BalmeWalk 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
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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
Recommended Books
The Swiss Alps
A comprehensive guidebook to every mountain area in the Swiss Alps. This handy resource includes information for walking, hiking, trekking, climbing and ski mountaineering. Access, accommodation and facilities in the valley bases and full information about Swiss mountain huts is included to help you make the most out of a trip there.
The Swiss Alpine Pass Route - Via Alpina Route 1
Guidebook to the Alpine Pass Route following the Swiss Via Alpina 1, a 360km trek east-west across Switzerland, from Sargans, on the border of Liechtenstein, to Montreux, including prologue from Liechtenstein. A demanding 3-week trek described in 18 stages, crossing 16 passes including the 2778m Hohtürli. Requires good fitness and experience.