Via Francigena WEEK 1

From 660Euro per person

On this trip, you will hike through the dramatic alpine peaks to a shelter that’s been hosting pilgrims on this journey for more than one thousand years. From there you’ll descend into Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses, a small mountain village of 328 residents that is world-renowned for its exceptional prosciutto. From this town you’ll enter the Aosta Valley. As you pass medieval castles & charming hilltop towns, you’ll find yourself in the luscious vineyards where you can sip the local wines & try the spectacular artisan cheeses. Your long journey will end at the infamous stone bridge of Pont Saint Martin.

Your journey will begin in the town of Bourg St Pierre, which you can reach most easily by taking the train from Geneva (or Lausanne) to Martigny, from where you can take the bus directly to the town center. Waiting for you at your hotel will be all the material you need for your trip: hotel vouchers, a detailed description of the route & stops along the way, & the GPS maps. You will also find information on churches where you can receive a benediction, should you desire one (the first possible place is at the Pass).

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Crossing the Alps
Panoramic mountain landscapes
The historical hostel at the Pass
Val d’Aosta villages & castles
St. Orso Church in Aosta

HOW DOES IT WORK:

We book your accommodations

We will book double rooms with private bathrooms in 2* or 3* hotels, b&b or country Inns. and you will find the corresponding vouchers in your package

We transfer your luggage

Just leave it at the reception desk with your name tag and you will find it at your next accommodation.

We supply detailed route notes and maps

The route notes can be in English, Italian, French or German. All maps have GPS tracing.

7 Nights

Via Francigena

Departure
Bourg St.Pierre to Pont St. Martin
Included

7 NIGHTS ( in 3 Star Accommodation )

All breakfast ( dinners on demand )

Emergency number 24/7

Gps Files Available

Luggage Transfer

Pilgrim's "Credenziale" ( Stamp book )

Road Book & Maps
Not Included

5 Dinner package ( On Request )

From our gallery

Pics from our friends walking along the Francigena!

Day 1 – Arrival in Bourg St Pierre – Altitude at departure point : 1.632 m

Welcome meeting and benediction will be next day at Hotel Italia and at the Hostel.

Day 2 – Bourg St Pierre/San Bernardo Pass – Distance 11,50 km

This segment has a symbolic value as we cross the Alps. Scrambling along mountain trail we 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.

Day 3 – San Bernardo Pass – Etroubles – Distance 13,30 km

The superb scenery of the Pass with the small lake and the crown of high mountains greet us at departure. Entirely on trails the route passes through St. Rhémy en Bosses, well known for the ham it produces. We descend to Etroubles. Since ancient times this village has acted as the main centre of the area; the Roman soldiers had here their winter quarters under

Day 4 – Etroubles – Aosta – Distance 16,00 km

To reach Aosta, today we walk along the Rus, irrigation canals, very important for the agricultur. They are generally at mid height and we follow them before descending more steeply towards Aosta. Of Roman origins, Aosta has kept many historical remains of that period such as the Pretorian Arch and the theatre.

Day 5 – Aosta – Chambave – Distance 25.5 km

From now on we follow the “Chemins de Vignobles” vineyards trail, also marked as “Via Francigena” The first castle we encounter is Quart ( XII century) on the highest point, then Nus Castle, also on a cliff, while at the bottom of the valley we can see the Fenis castle built by the Challant family. We end either in Chambave or in a wine producing agriturismo few km before.

Day 6 – Chambave – Verres – Distance 27.2 km

A very pleasant walk along trails that wind among vineyards and orchards, with higher mountains in the as a back drop. The river Evançon runs at the bottom of the main valley while the imposing Verrès castle stand at the entrance of the Val d’Ayas side valley. It is an imposing fortress with 2m thick walls. And can be reached only on foot.

Day 7 – Verres – Pont St Martin – Distance 20.0 km

Many interesting things on the way, from the Echilod bridge to the Bard Fotress not forgetting the original Roman road called “Via delle Gallie” near Donnas.