Via Francigena in Switzerland, from Yverdon-les-Bains to Great St. Bernard

Arrive to Yverdon-les-Bains and reach your hotel.

Train/bus ride to Le Day. You hike down to the Saut du Day waterfall and follow the course of the Orbe River. The hike takes you through a nature reserve to the village of Les Clées and on to the Gorge de l'Orbe. At the end of the stage, you reach the small town of Orbe - known for its Roman mosaics.

Distance: 13,5 km

Elevation gain: +190/-500 m

On leaving Orbe, follow the path to the medieval town of Romainmôtier. Don't miss the Romanesque church, built between 990 and 1028 in the style of the church of Cluny and considered one of the jewels of the Yverdon-les-Bains region. After this point you continue to what is known as the centre of the world, where one part of the river Nozon flows into the Mediterranean, the other into the North Sea.

Distance: 26 km

Today it is a fairly flat walk along the Venoge River from Cossonay to Saint-Sulpice with its Romanesque church, once the heart of a Cluniac priory, on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), where it continues along the banks and through the Roman town of Vidy to Lausanne. Until the Reformation in 1536, Lausanne was an important pilgrimage destination and meeting point between the Via Francigena and the Way to Santiago de Compostela. Today it is home to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee. Take time to explore the hilly old town with its medieval streets lined with shops and Gothic cathedral.

Distance: 26 km

The stage with which you will celebrate the start of your journey initially runs along Lake Geneva and through the Lavaux vineyards. This wine-growing area of more than 800 hectares is a UNESCO World Heritage site as a testimony to the passion and hard work required for the perfect integration of human activity and the natural landscape. Take a break from your walk to taste some wine in a wine cellar. Cheers!

Distance: 21 km

The route skirts around Lake Leman, crossing Montreux and proceeding until Villeneuve. Leaving the lake behind, the course continues levelly till it arrives at the entrance of Aigle. It then rises to pass Yvorne and a lovely panoramic point of the Rhône Valley, before descending to Aigle.

Distance: 27 km

Leaving Aigle, the route passes a beautiful area of vineyards as it shortly arrives at the castle, Chateau d’Aigle, home of the wine museum, constructed in the 13th Century. Proceeding through vineyards and woods along the coast, the path reaches Ollon. It leads beyond Antagnes, where the route briefly follows the Gryonne till it arrives at Massongex and Saint Maurice, where since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have paused at on their journey to Rome.

Distance: 19 km

Just after Saint-Maurice you reach Vérolliez, where a tiny chapel commemorates the martyrdom of St Mauritius and his companions. On the path into the Rhone valley, you meet the famous Pissevache waterfall and the 200-metre-deep Trient gorge.

Distance: 17 km

This stage marks the begin of the climb to the Great St. Bernard 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 trail.

In Orsières, don't forget to visit the church, the bell and its "Saint Gregoire Mass" and inside the church, the exhibition about Maurice Tornay, born in Orsières.

Distance: 19 km

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

Distance: 15 km

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 Great-St-Bernard Pass.

Distance: 29 km

Last day is included. Service ends after breakfast.

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.

This journey on the Via Francigena in Switzerland is incredibly beautiful: you will constantly be surrounded by breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps, shimmering Alpine lakes, mountain villages, castles, and vineyards.

Due to the duration of the trip and the difference in altitude, however, it is recommended only for those who have previous experience with multi-day hiking trips, preferably in mountainous terrain. It could be quite challenging for individuals who are not adequately trained or are not accustomed to tackling steep ascents for several consecutive days.

We recommend it only if you have prior experience with multi-day hiking, are sufficiently fit, and do not suffer from vertigo.