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We returned to Martigny and stayed the night in the Youth Hostel, a converted 17th century building
in the old town of Martigny-Bourg. The Roman town of Martigny has 2,000-years of history,
and marks the beginning of the ascent towards the Great St. Bernard Pass
We set off from Martigny-Croix, crossing the Dranse on a bridge and heading up the valley.
Although steep and narrow, this was not as bad as the guide book had made us fear, and we crossed
the river again on a new suspension bridge, avoiding the steep section on the other bank.
We had a slight scramble over a mud slide under the railway bridge,
and continued up the valley side to Bovernier, with its murals and legend of Saint Théoldule and Satan.
From there, we had a section along a busy road to an ideal lunch stop, before heading up into the valley sides,
with recent avalanche scree and mossy boulders and mighty old tree roots to clamber around.
Once in Sembrancher, we looked for a café in the old village to no avail,
and so we went to the modern shopping area for a coffee and to stock up on supplies.
We then decided to take the train on to Orsières, as it was getting late and we were hot and tired.
Orsières is characterised by the unspoilt heart of its village
and a church with a bell tower from the 1, 1th century, as well as for Maurice Tornay,
born in La Rosière and killed in Tibet,
made a saint in 1993.
We had the church pilgrim hostel all to ourselves,
and settled in for the night.
