Vallée des Glaciers, U-shaped valley in Bourg Saint Maurice, France.
The Vallée des Glaciers is a U-shaped valley at about 1650 meters altitude with steep walls and a flat floor carved by glacial erosion. Multiple hiking trails cross the valley floor and connect to neighboring alpine regions.
The valley was reshaped during the last ice age when massive glaciers transformed the original river-carved V-shaped profile into its current U-shape. These glacial movements left behind deposits and moraines that remain visible today.
Local climbers view this valley as a gateway to higher peaks and a symbol of the region's alpine heritage. The landscape has shaped generations of people living in nearby mountain communities.
The valley is best visited on clear days after snow melt, when trails are dry and easier to navigate. Bring sturdy footwear and layers since mountain weather changes quickly.
Smaller tributary glacier valleys hang above the main valley floor and create what are called hanging valleys, with waterfalls dropping into the main channel below. These waterfall cascades formed after glaciers retreated and show how main and side glaciers eroded at different rates.
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