In 990 Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, travelled to Rome on foot from England. He described the stops along the way in a diary. This description forms the basis of the Via Francigena, a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. It runs between Canterbury and Rome via France and Switzerland. The Romans laid down the […]
In 990 Sigeric, Archbishop of Canterbury, travelled to Rome on foot from England. He described the stops along the way in a diary. This description forms the basis of the Via Francigena, a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. It runs between Canterbury and Rome via France and Switzerland. The Romans laid down the road in the first century AD to connect Rome to their empire north of the Alps. With the spread and establishment of European Christianity, the road to Rome developed into an important pilgrimage route. The Swiss Via Francigena goes from Pontarlier in France to Aosta in Italy.
Price:
Please ask – price depends on the level of accommodation and the number of nights. A 7 night tour costs in the region of £829.00 per person sharing a room.
Included:
Luggage transportation, accommodation usually in 3 star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis, route notes and map.
Not Included:
Guide, all meals except for breakfast, insurance.
When to Go:
From April to November, except the sections featuring the Great Saint Bernard, which operate from mid-June to mid-September.
Day 1:
Arrival Sainte-Croix.
Day 2:
Sainte-Croix to Yverdon-les-Bains. At the steepest part of the descent to Yverdon-les-Bains, the Via Francigena runs down historic cart tracks to Vuiteboeuf.
Distance – 17 km. Hiking time – 4 hours, 45 minutes.
Day 3:
Yverdon-les-Bains to Mathod and Orbe. The route leaves Lake Neuchâtel and passes through Chamblon and Mathod. After Bosceaz, the site of Roman Mosaics, it reaches Orbe.
Distance – 20 km. Hiking time – 5 hours, 15 minutes.
Day 4:
Orbe to Cossonay. The Via Francigena reaches Romainmôtier via Bretonnieres. After La Sarraz, it goes along the bank of the Venoge to Cossonay.
Distance – 26 km. Hiking time – 7 hours.
Day 5:
Cossonay to Bussigny and Lausanne. The way follows the Venoge to Saint-Sulpice. It runs along Lake Geneva, past the Roman ruins of Vidy to Lausanne.
Distance – 25 km. Hiking time – 6 hours, 15 minutes.
Day 6:
Lausanne to Vevey and Montreux. From Ouchy, the Via Francigena passes for miles through the Lavaux vineyards – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and travels as far as Vevey and on to Montreux.
Distance – 20 km. Hiking time – 5 hours, 45 minutes.
Day 7:
Montreux to Aigle. The hike follows Lake Geneva to Villeneuve. It then continues up the Roche and Yvorne to Aigle.
Distance – 27 km. Hiking time – 7 hours.
Day 8:
Aigle to Massongex and St. Maurice. The route goes via Ollon to Les Devens. Shortly afterwards, the Via Francigena meets the Rhone and follows it to Saint-Maurice.
Distance – 18 km. Hiking time – 5 hours, 15 minutes.
Day 9:
St. Maurice to Vernayaz and Martigny. The road passes along the foot of the mountain of the historic Chemin Royal through Evionnaz and Vernayaz to Martigny.
Distance 17 km. Hiking time – 4 hours, 15 minutes.
Day 10:
Martigny to Sembrancher and Orsieres. From Martigny, the Via Francigena goes via Bovernier to Sembrancher. The Napoleonic Way leads to Orsieres.
Distance – 19 km. Hiking time – 6 hours, 15 minutes.
Day 11:
Orsieres to Liddes and Bourg-Saint-Pierre. The route runs along the Dranse to Liddes. From there, a historic roadway leads to Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
Distance – 13 km. Hiking time – 4 hours, 45 minutes.
Day 12:
Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great Saint Bernard. This leg of the Via Francigena is highly symbolic. Today, you will reach the hospice of the Great Saint Bernard, the highest point on the pilgrim route between Canterbury and Rome.
Distance – 13 km. Hiking time – 5 hours.
Day 13 :
Departure or continue by using the Italian section of the Via Francigena
