ViaFrancigena, Stage 8/10

This stage marks the beginning of the ascent to the Great St. Bernard Pass. From Martigny, a path that is steep in parts leads across the narrow Les Trappistes Pass to the medieval village of Sembrancher. From there, the route follows the Napoleon Trail.

From the Martigny, Grand Verger stop, the route initially leads through the built-up area of Martigny. It is soon accompanied for short stretches by the Meunière du Guercet and Meunière des Artifices waterways. Almost throughout, the route follows a yellow-waymarked hiking trail through woodland, across open meadows and through the villages of Le Brocard, Les Valettes and Bovernier.

Beyond Bovernier, the hike passes the parish church of Saint-Théodule. Wooded and open sections then alternate. A stretch of around one kilometre runs away from the marked hiking trail network before the route reaches Sembrancher. It continues uphill via La Garde and La Douay, alternating between woodland and open meadows.

Shortly before Orsières, the route reaches the highest point of the hike at around 950 metres. It then descends towards the destination. After around 20 kilometres and six hours, the hike ends at the Orsières, La Place stop.