Hiking holidays Via Francigena

Arrival and luggage drop-off in Ste-Croix. From the high Jura plateau of Sainte-Croix, the trail descends steeply on the historic salt road to the Jura plain.

It runs through fields, forests and wine-growing regions on flat terrain, passing authentic villages and medieval churches to reach the day’s destination in Orbe.

After Orbe, the ViaFrancigena reaches the medieval town of Romainmôtier with its Cluniac Abbey. You then reach the centre of the world, where one part of the River Nozon flows to the Mediterranean, the other to the North Sea.

French poet Gilles described the beauty of the Venoge, the river that this stage follows from Cossonay to Saint-Sulpice, sometimes high up, sometimes beside the water. The pilgrims’ path finally reaches Lac Léman and continues on via the Roman town of Vidy to Lausanne.

From the quay in Ouchy, the ViaFrancigena runs along the Lac Léman shores to Vilette. It then winds through the Lavaux terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage. Fantastic views over Lac Léman.

From Vevey the route follows the lake to Villeneuve. The Swiss Museum of Games in the castle at Tour-de-Peilz and famous Chillon Castle are worth a visit before you reach the Chablais wine region.

By train to Martigny. This stage marks the end of the climb to the Grossen Sankt Bernhard-Pass. From Martigny a steep path leads over the narrow Les Trappistes pass to the medieval village of Sembrancher. From here the route follows the Napoleon-Weg.

This stage leads first along a forest path, first west then east of the river, on the historic path from Liddes to the small Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel before Bourg-Saint-Pierre.

Undoubtedly the most symbolic stage on the Via Francigena! The way to the pass leads along a road which has served the whole of Europe for 2000 years. Countless archaeological sites line the ascent, above all in L’Hospitalet and on the Barasson-Pass.

The descent to the Aosta Valley begins immediately after the pass. A pilgrim's path leads down the valley flank to Italy and takes you to the small village of St. Rhémy. Shortly afterwards the roofs of the villages Étroubles and Echevennoz come into sight.

Old irrigation canals called "Rus" lie along your way today. In addition to the flat passages along these canals, steep descents await you today. In Roman times, Aosta was a flourishing trading town. Today, the village is famous for its alpine experiences.