The most challenging and beautiful section of the Via Francigena is its transit of the Alps at the Great St Bernard Pass between Switzerland and Italy. This unforgettable Alpine walk from Lausanne to Aosta features snow-capped mountain peaks, towering waterfalls and majestic forests, interspersed with castles, Roman ruins and spectacular mountain scenery.

Private rooms with matrimonial bed, private bathroom and breakfast except where indicated.

August 3, 2026, Monday - Arrive Lausanne

Recommend: Uber or taxi from airport to Lausanne

Carlton Lausanne Boutique Hotel‎

Avenue de Cour 4, Lausanne

Tel: +41 216 130 707

Confirmed: 7/24/26, #ND30O4LJ and BHSCL1OM

Check in: Starts 3pm, reception open 24 hours

August 4, 2026, Tuesday - Explore Lausanne (Paolo arrives)

Carlton Lausanne Boutique Hotel‎

Avenue de Cour 4, Lausanne

Tel: +41 216 130 707

Confirmed: 7/24/26, #ND30O4LJ and BHSCL1OM

August 5, 2026, Wednesday - Lausanne to Vevey - 21.2km/13.2 mile

Ascent in feet: 745; descent 922

Recommend lunch in Pully, dinner in Vevey

Hôtel-Restaurant les Négociants

Rue du Conseil 27, Vevey

Tel: 219 227 011; WhatsApp: 768 401 490 (Yanna Léo)

Confirmed: 7/24/26, #1601599763

Check in: 3pm to 9pm

August 6, 2026, Thursday - Vevey to Aigle - 25.3km/15.7 miles

Ascent in feet: 725; descent 555

Recommend lunch at Chillon or Villaneuve, dinner at Aigle

Hôtel du Nord Aigle

Rue Colomb 2, Aigle

Tel: 244 681 055

Confirmed: 7/24/26, 5743814687

Check in: 3pm to 7pm

August 7, 2026, Friday - Aigle to Saint-Maurice - 16.5km/10.2 miles

Ascent in feet: 1057; descent 1116

Recommend buy sack lunch in Vevey or Ornans. Dinner at Saint-Maurice

La Dent-du-Midi Hôtel & Restaurant

Avenue du Simplon 1, 1890 Saint-Maurice

Tel: 244 851 209

Confirmed: 7/9/26, 19513, 19514

Check in: 3pm to 10pm

August 8, 2026, Saturday - Saint-Maurice to Martigny - 16.7km/10.4 mile

Ascent in feet: 597; descent 413

Recommend buying sack lunch in Saint-Maurice. Picnic at Pissevache falls. Dinner in Martigny

Hotel Campanile Martigny

Rue de Leman 15, Martigny

Tel: 277 222 701

Confirmed: 7/24/26, Justine

Check in: 3pm

August 9, 2026, Sunday - Martigny to Orsières - 18.1km/11.2 miles

Ascent in feet: 2034; descent 686

Recommend buy sack lunch in Martigny (or Liddes but the store closes at noon). Dinner in Orsieres

Hôtel Terminus

R​oute de la Gare 25, Orsières

Tel: 275 521 100

Confirmed: 7/7/26, Aurélien Rausis

Check in: 2pm

August 10, 2026, Monday - Orsières to Bourg-Saint-Pierre - 13.9km/8.6 miles

Ascent in feet: 2854; descent 400

Recommend bring snack and/or have late lunch at Bourg-Saint-Pierre. Dinner no problem.

Hôtel Restaurant Bivouac de Napoléon

R​oute Grand-Saint-Bernard 15, Bourg-Saint-Pierre

Tel: 277 871 162; WhatsApp: 79 637 13 19

Confirmed: 7/7/26, Martine et Claude Lattion

Check in: 2pm-10pm; Check out: 7am-10am; Dinner: 6:30pm-8:30pm.

August 11, 2026, Tuesday - Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Col Grand Saint Bernard - 12.4km/7.7 miles

Ascent in feet: 2999; descent 259

Recommend snack at the kiosk at the dam. Lunch and dinner at the Pass

Hotel Italia Gran San Bernardo

Colle del Gran San Bernardo 2, Aosta

Tel: +39 0165 780063; WhatsApp: +39 328 789 6978

Confirmed: 7/9/26 (dinner included)

Check in:

August 12, 2026, Wednesday - Col Grand Saint Bernard to Aosta - 13.1km/8.1 miles

Ascent in feet: 522; descent 6719

Recommend eating at a cafe in Gignod. Dinner in Aosta

Norden Palace

Corso Battaglione Aosta 30, Aosta

Tel: +39 016 523 6068

Confirmed: 7/24/25, Brunella

Check in: 3pm

August 13, 2026, Thursday - Depart Aosta

Private transport arranged to Geneva

Home to the International Olympic Committee, Lausanne sits on the north shore of beautiful Lake Geneva.

"To get to Lausanne fly into Geneva and take the convenient Swiss train directly from the airport to the Lausanne station (www.sbb.ch, 5 departures per hour, CHR10, approx. 1 hr.). Trains also connect from Lausanne to many stops along the Swiss portion of the route, including Vevey, Montreux, Villenueuve, Aigle, Saint-Maurice, Vernayaz, Martigny, Sembrancer and Orsières...."

- Walking the Via Francigena - Part 2 - Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown

"Lausanne's belle epoque Ouchy neighborhood is stretched along the lakeshore and sprinkled with cafes and shops among its parks and pathways. The VF route passes the Olympic Museum which showcases torches and medals from all modern Olympic games (Quai d'Ouchy1, www.olympic.org/museum). The monuments, restaurants and shopping of Lausanne are set high above the lakeshore but can be accessed through a convenient subway system with stops between the lakeshore and the Cathedral of Lausanne (CHF8.80 for an all-day pass).

- Walking the Via Francigena - Part 2 - Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown

Leave Lausanne on charming lakeside trails, then head up onto vineyard-covered mountain sides on the way to lakeside Vevey. 2000Ft altitud.

Ascent in feet: 745; descent 922

July’s annual Jazz Festival put Montreux on the map. Enjoy its lakeside promenade and then beautiful Chillon Castle before saying goodbye to the lake and heading up the Rhône Valley to Aigle.

Ascent in feet: 725; descent 555

As the valley narrows and the track slowly climbs, mountain towns like Ollon exude Swiss charm. Set along tall cliffs, the town of St Maurice holds one of Europe’s oldest monasteries.

Ascent in feet: 1057; descent 1116

The valley continues to narrow while the boulder-strewn route traverses mountainsides in quiet forests to the accompaniment of waterfalls cascading down steep cliffs.

Ascent in feet: 597; descent 413

The path continues to ascend on narrow mountain paths under tall forests. The valleys are just wide enough for a two-lane road, a train track, and your pathway. The stretch between Martigny Ville and Sembrancher is known as one of the trickiest paths on the Via Francigena. You can choose to walk it or skip it by taking a taxi to Sembrancher and beginning your walk there. There is also a train station at this point.

Ascent in feet: 2034; descent 686

Your penultimate night in Switzerland is spent above the tree line in the sparse settlement of Bourg St Pierre after the truly first steep climb of the walk.

Ascent in feet: 2854; descent 400

"This historic pass over the Alps sits at the border of Switzerland and Italy in a jagged saddle between Mont Blanc to the west and the Grand Combin to the east. Water that falls on the north side of the pass drains into the Rhône Valley through Switzerland and France, while water falling on the south side of the pass drains in the Dora Balthea and Po Rivers in Italy."

- Walking the Via Francigena - Part 2 - Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown

The climb concludes in an enchanting land of heather, cool streams and tall, snowy peaks. Summit at the historic St Bernard Hospice at the Swiss/Italian border where dogs are still trained to rescue stranded hikers.

Ascent in feet: 2999; descent 259

A very steep and long downhill which is broken up by the villages of Etroubles (13.8km) and Gignod (21.98). These towns give you options for transport to Aosta.

"Etroubles traces its roots to Roman times, when it was known as Restapolis and held a garrison that controlled the halfway point between Aosta and the pass. The modern name derives from the local dialect, when étrobbla is the stubble straw left from the grain harvest. On 20 May 1800 Napoleon slept at the home of Abbot Leonard Veysendaz. In 1317 a pilgrim hospice was built in the village and was still functioning in the 19th c. (bus every 4 hr. to Aosta www.savda.it).

- Walking the Via Francigena - Part 2 - Cicerone Press, Author Sandy Brown

Ascent in feet: 522; descent 6719

This adventure has reached its finale, today is “goodbye” to new friends made in the journey, or maybe just a see you later? What adventure is next?