Catogne, 2597 m

The guardian of the Lower Valais - like a volcano above MartignyThe Catogne immediately catches the eye when driving from Lake Geneva into the Valais before Martigny: The even pyramid, 2,000 meters above the valley, almost forces the comparison with a volcanic cone, only the clouds that like to drift around this free-standing peak are not poisonous gases from the earth"s interior, but rather due to its exposure. It"s a good thing that there is a higher starting point in the vacation resort of Champex-Lac, beautifully situated on a mountain lake, but even from here the undertaking remains a strenuous and challenging tour. Sure-footedness and fitness are therefore essential if you want to fully enjoy the ascent. Given the geographical location, there"s not much to write about the view, which is simply brilliant - unless the weather gods have once again dropped a spring cloud up there right at summit time ...