St. Vincent to Pont St. Martin

Breezy

An easy day in prospect with a 20km walk down the valley. We slept well and had a good breakfast before setting off before 9. Thoroughly recommend the hotel and would stay again if passing.

The Via started with a series of up and downs along the side of the valley. The walk was interesting, though the air was a bit misty and the views limited.

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Today's date: 2.9.20

Weather: sunny with a strong breeze

Steps: 40,784

Distance: 28.78 km

Climbing: 445 m

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We walked a steep path down to Montjovet where we stopped for a light lunch. After lunch the path stayed on the valley floor and we walked by the river and made good progress. We passed through the pretty villages of Issogne and Hone before crossing back over the river at Bard.

The Fort at Bard dominates this part of the valley. An earlier fort on the same site frustrated Napoleon when he invaded over the Alps. We got stamps at the Fort and walked through the village built on the road that passes the Fort.

The last stretch into Pont St. Martin was a bit dull - a long straight road with car dealerships and the like. Pont St. Martin is named after a bridge built by the Romans that was still the main crossing 1800 years later.

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Accomodation

We have company for a few days so have rented an apartment about 50km ahead of where we finished today. We will shuttle from the apartment to the start of the stage each day.