St Maurice -Martigny 19kms

1st June 2017

Saint Maurice to Martigny -19 kms

Another beautiful day for walking. Sunny but not too hot and in most parts plenty of shade. We left at 0815hrs, slightly later than usual after eating a heart breakfast in the Hotellerie des Franciscaines. The path led us initially to the Chapel built on the site where Saint Maurice was killed. There has been a chapel here for 1000 years! We then went through field and eventually into woods. It was here that we met Bernard, a local who was out for a circular hike. Eventually he decided to come with us for quite a while to show us the way. He has offered to make a donation if (!) we make it over the Gt. St. Bernard pass! Another very nice person we have met on this incredible journey. Soon we came across Swiss military personnel exercising. We took a couple of photos at which point they told us to stop. Bernard argued with them whilst we quietly slunk away. We were sorry to see Bernard go back towards St Maurice. 

After that the path took us close to the River Rhone which is flowing quite fast. In Evionnaz we saw some of the ww2 anti-tank defences. Later we came across the splendid sight of the Cascade de Pissevache, where we took a short video, that went live on our Facebook page. We then continued through beautiful woods until we reached the road on the outskirts of Martigny and headed towards our accommodation for the night provided (at a cost) by the local Parish. We were shown into a basement which reeked of mould and was dark and grubby. We declined and left to find an hotel where we are now resting.

Tomorrow we head for Orsieres some 19 kms away. Our friends Peter and Johanna negotiated that trek today and tell us that one section is quite hazardous, a bit like the River Loue Gorge. If the weather remains dry it will be tough but doable. If it rains overnight it might prove dangerous so we shall have to wait and see. Wish us luck!