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Vallée du Trient

This, the most westerly of the region’s valleys, lies to the southwest of Martigny, by which it is reached across the Col de Forclaz. A very short, glacier-carved glen, Trient is its only village (discounting neighbouring Le Peuty, which is just a hamlet), but being on the route of both the Tour of Mont Blanc and the Walker’s Haute Route it has a disproportionate amount of accommodation almost entirely aimed at the outdoor fraternity. The village looks up to glaciers that hang from abrupt rocky slopes, the view framed by dark pinewoods. It’s an appealing sight, and the various walks on offer make the most of such views. One of the recommended routes climbs easily to the French border at Col de Balme, where an unforgettable scene reveals the Aiguilles Verte and Drus, and the massive snow dome of Mont Blanc shining in the distance. As Alpine connoisseur RLG Irving once wrote: ‘If that view does not thrill you, you are better away from the Alps.’

Getting there

By air

Readers are warned that information about air travel is especially vulnerable to change. Even without mentioning a host of different fare structures, schedules are frequently rearranged, routes introduced and cancelled, airlines go out of business and others are formed year by year to increase competition. Information given below can, therefore, be offered only as a rough guide. The best advice is to either visit your local travel agent for current offers or browse the Internet. In any case, shop around.