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Lausanne is a buzzling Swiss city in the French Canton of Vaud, on the shore of Lake Leman. Your alpine adventure on Via Francigena starts here: first along the lake, then through the Rhone valley, gradually working your way towards the Alps.
From Bourg Saint Pierre, located high up on the Swiss Alps, scrambling along mountain trails you reach the historical hospital of the Agostinian Friars founded more than 1000 years ago, who along the centuries saved so many lives of pilgrims with their famous dogs.
The superb scenery of the Pass with the small lake and the crown of high mountains greet us at the end of the walk. This segment has a symbolic value as you cross the Alps.
This itinerary is carried out with funding of Routes4U, joint programme between the Council of Europe and European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Sloways and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Routes4U joint programme.
| Day 1 | Arrival in Lausanne | |
You start the journey from Lausanne, a vibrant Swiss city on the shore of Lake Leman; explore this multiethnic city home of the Olympic committee, the gothic cathedral and the Palais de Rumine. |
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| Day 2 | From Lausanne to Vevey, 21 km | |
This leg runs partially along the Lake Leman and partially crosses vineyards of "Lavaux". This incredible wine region of more than 800 hectares is a symbol of the passion and hard work of mankind when talking about the wine production, it’s a perfect example of integration between man and nature. In fact it is one of the very few UNESCO heritage site wine region. Stop by one of the numerous wine cellars to sample it. Cheers! Distance: 21 Km Ascent/Descent: +455/-455 m |
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| Day 3 | From Vevey to Aigle, 27 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 Ascent/Descent: +300/-280 m |
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| Day 4 | From Aigle to St. Maurice, 19 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 Ascent/Descent: +500/-480 m |
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| Day 5 | From St. Maurice to Martigny, 17 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 Ascent/Descent: +300/-240 m |
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| Day 6 | From Martigny to Orsieres, 18 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: 18 Km Ascent/Descent: +745/-335 m |
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| Day 7 | From Orsieres to Bourg St. Pierre, 15 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 Ascent/Descent: +970/-190 m |
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| Day 8 | From Bourg St Pierre to Col Grand St. Bernard, 13 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: 13 Km Ascent/Descent: +1045/-305 m |
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| Day 9 | Arrivederci Gran San Bernardo | |
The trip and our services end after breakfast unless you have pre-booked extra nights with us or other extra services. |
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The nearest airports to Lausanne are Geneva or Bern. On departure from Grand St Bernard, it would be convenient to depart from Turin or Milan airports. These airports are served by both major and low cost international carriers and can be easily reached by local transport, which is affordable and offers a frequent service. On arrival, from Geneva or Bern you can take a train and to Lausanne. On departure, you can get a bus or ask for a private transfer from Grand St Bernard to Aosta, and then a train to Turin or Milan.
What is included
· 8 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B and agriturismi with breakfast
· luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
· maps and detailed description of the itinerary
. Pilgrim Passport
· Medical and luggage travel insurance
· 24h phone assistance
What is not included
. Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
· lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated.
· visits and entrance fees - tips
· personal expense
· possible sojourn taxes
· everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.
Optional Services
These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:
. Single room supplement
. Cancellation insurance
· Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.