8 Days & 7 Nights

4.5

Via Francigena Stage 1: Bourg St Pierre-St Martin

Crossing the high mountain pass of Great St Bernard famed for its rescue dogs
Discovering your quaint agriturismo, set amongst pretty vineyards
Staggering Alpine views and a backdrop of mountain scenery as you walk
Following the “Chemins de Vignobles” a local wine trail
Wandering through the ancient streets of Aosta, an old Roman city

A superb week of walking that begins in the heart of the Alps, crosses the border from Switzerland into Italy, and traverses the high mountain pass of Great St Bernard. You will be surrounded by a backdrop of mountain peaks and follow trails through pretty vineyards and orchards. Explore Bourg St Pierre's medieval remains before setting off to cross the international border and ascending to the Great St Bernard Pass. Reach Rhémy des Bosses, famed for its ham cured with mountain herbs, and Aosta, the principal city of the Aosta Valley. Follow the “Chemins de Vignobles” a vineyard trail and along which you will encounter many castles, stone houses, wooded hillsides, and apple orchards. Pont St Martin, your finishing point, is a small village located on the frontier between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont and lends its name to a photogenic ancient stone bridge.

From £875.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Bourg-Saint-Pierre

Begin your walking tour in the Valais region of Switzerland. Bourg-Saint-Pierre is the gateway to Italy from Switzerland and is full of charm and history.

Explore the newly restored mill and ancient buildings, such as the Church of Saint Pierre with its Romanesque tower and the medieval hospice which sheltered pilgrims walking along the Via Francigena in the Middle Ages.

Overnight Bourg-Saint-Pierre

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Bivouac Napoléon | Hotel

This family-run hotel is in a great location for the Great Saint Bernard pass. The hotel has a spa with a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and relaxation room, all of which are free to use for hotel guests. There is also a gift shop, restaurant, café and sun terrace to take in the mountain views from.

Hotel du Cret | 3 Star | Hotel

This family run hotel and restaurant is located in a stunning location on Route Grand-Saint-Bernard. You can sit in the café and have a cold beer or a hot chocolate and soak-up the mountain atmosphere.

Day 2 Bourg-Saint-Pierre to Great St Bernard Pass 8 miles / 12 km

This morning begins with a sustaining breakfast in your hotel before setting off on today’s Swiss alpine walk. You will be walking up to the Great St Bernard Pass, situated at 2,470m. This is one of, if not the most, iconic walks on the whole of the Via Francigena route and the path has served travellers and pilgrims for over 2,000 years. The mountain scenery here is stunning and at times you will be completely immersed in nature with only the sound of the wind and perhaps a cowbell or two. You will walk along Lac des Toules reservoir with its mighty dam and floating solar panels. You may even spot marmots along the way.

Upon reaching the pass you will see a historical hostel, L’Hospitalet, which was founded by Augustinian Friars more than 1,000 years ago. It was at one time a hospice and famous for its St Bernard dogs that would rescue travellers in distress. Specifically bred to traverse deep snow and sniff out those who were lost, St Bernard dogs are still used in the same capacity today. Chance to visit the Hospice Museum and the adjacent kennel whilst here.

Ascent/Descent: 961m/124m

Overnight Gran San Bernardo Pass

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Italia | 3 Star | Hotel

Built in 1933, this small historic hotel offers warm hospitality and fantastic cuisine. It has just 14 bedrooms, all of which are comfortable equipped in a classic alpine style. There are no TV’s or Wi-Fi available in the bedrooms. Enjoy a Spa with a whirlpool tub and sauna. You'll find loungers where you can relax with a glass of wine and take in the mountain vistas and a pool table and board games in the living room.

Day 3 Great St Bernard Pass to Etroubles 8 miles / 13 km

Sip your morning coffee or tea whilst taking in views of the crown of high mountains surrounding the pass and the lovely crystal-clear tarn. In comparison to yesterday’s uphill climb today the walk crosses the border from Switzerland into Italy and descends out of the mountains and into the valley.

Walking along the trail in the direction of St Rhémy en Bosses, a place well known for the production of ham, which is cured with mountain herbs. This is a good place to take a break before continuing the descent into Etroubles, a medieval village where Roman soldiers had their winter headquarters. The main street of Via Deffeyes is an open-air art gallery displaying sculptures from artists around the world. It is situated in the Great San Bernardo Valley. This evening you can sit and taste the regional cuisine, whilst surrounded by the mountains.

Ascent/Descent: 12m/1214m

Overnight Étroubles

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel-Beau-Sejour-2018-immagine-189-rsz-21022023093531819

Hotel Beau Sejour | 3 Star | Hotel

Peaceful hotel with colourful flower garden. The spacious bedrooms overlook the Gran San Bernardo valley and the Alps, and some rooms have balconies. Bathrooms have either a shower or bathtub. The hotel also has a bar, restaurant, outdoor solarium, and fully equipped gym.

Day 4 Etroubles to Aosta 10 miles / 16 km

Today’s walk follows the ‘rus’, ancient irrigation channels built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Engineering masterpieces, they provided irrigation on the dry, south-facing slopes and utilised water from melting glaciers. Some of these ‘rus’ are still in use today, but many were abandoned. Follow these channels until they give way to a steep downhill trail into Aosta.

The town of Aosta is the principal town of the Aosta Valley and where the inhabitants speak both French and Italian. The ancient town walls of Augusta Prætoria Salassorum are still almost intact in their entirety. The Roman Forum also remains, and this building is annexed to the cathedral that was built in the 4th century but replaced in the 11th century with a new edifice.

Ascent/Descent: 73m/760m

Overnight Aosta Valley

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Cecchin | 2 Star | Hotel

Founded in 1982 in the centre of historic Aosta next to the Roman bridge. It’s on the site of what was once an ancient roman building along the Via Francigena and now is a comfortable hotel which offers a restaurant with a terrace.

HB Hotel Aosta | Hotel

This locally owned hotel in the heart of Aosta brings modern lodging to the mountains. Alpine style isn't just an aesthetic after all, it's a way of life. The hotel has a spa (additional entrance fee applies), which offers a whirlpool tub, Finnish sauna, Turkish stem bath, relaxation room and ice waterfall and emotional shower. Massages are also available; advance booking is recommended.

Day 5 Aosta to Chambave 15 miles / 24 km

For the next few days, as well as following the Via Francigena, you will also follow the ‘Chemins de Vignobles’ a wine trail that takes you through local vineyards. In the past this area was heavily fortified by castles and today you will encounter three, Quart at the highest point, Nus, located on a cliff, and Fenis, that you can see from a distance.

This evening with dinner why not sample one of the locally produced wines such as Chambave Muscat.

***Depending on the time of year you travel, accommodations in Chambave sometimes adopt a 3 night minimum booking policy. If this is the case on your requested date, you will be booked into your accommodation in Aosta for an additional night***

Ascent/Descent: 597m/660m

Overnight Chambave

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Cristina | Hotel

Located a short distance outside Chambave, this small hotel has a restaurant with terrace, bar and lovely garden to relax in. There is Wi-Fi access throughout the property. Bedrooms are decorated in a traditional style.

Day 6 Chambave to Verres 16 miles / 26 km

The route continues to be surrounded by a backdrop of high mountains and you will pass by vineyards and orchards. Near the beginning of today’s walk on the hillside above, Cly Castle can be seen from a distance. This is the first of many castles that can be seen along the route today. The River Evançon flows through the bottom of the valley whilst the imposing and majestic Verrès Castle stands at the entrance to a side valley called Val d’Ayas. This fortress has walls that are 2 metres thick and can only be reached on foot.

Tonight, will be spent in the small town of Verrès overlooked by the hills and located close to the Parco Regionale del Mont Avic.

Ascent/Descent: 752m/874m

Overnight Verrès

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Essenza | Hotel

Located on the edge of Mount Avic Natural Park in the town of Verrès, Relais St Gilles offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms. A buffet breakfast is available each morning in the sunny dining room. The 16th-century Castle Verrès is just a 15-minute walk away.

Day 7 Verres to Pont-Saint-Martin 10 miles / 17 km

There are many interesting sights to discover today, starting with the Echallod Bridge, built by the Romans and which spans the Dora Baltea River enabling you and other pilgrims and travellers to continue on the road to Rome. Next, see Bard Fortress which houses the Museum of the Alps, and was originally built in the 10th century. The town of Bard has been voted ‘one of the most beautiful in Italy’ due to its houses with frescoed facades. This afternoon you will begin to follow an original consular Roman road called the Via Delle Gallie. Passing through Donnas this town is famous for its vineyards and it’s possible to visit a winery whilst here.

Enter Pont Saint Martin, your destination for this section of Via Francigena and a pretty village located on the border between Valle d’Aosta and Piedmont. Famed for its Roman bridge of the same name. Take a wander through the streets and appreciate this strategic gateway to the Alps.

Ascent/Descent: 244m/305m

Overnight Pont-Saint-Martin

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Crabun | 3 Star | Hotel

This traditional hotel is decorated in a classic Italian style with wooden furnishings and warm colours. It has a bar and family-run restaurant with outdoor terrace.

Day 8 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 4kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 4kg is equivalent to 2.5 avocados. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

Complete this section of the pilgrimage route in its own right, or add further stages at the same time. This particular section is graded as moderate to strenuous. You walk through the Alps and across the Great St Bernard Pass, hence the rating. You will have a backdrop of mountain peaks surrounding you and you will also walk through vineyards and the Aosta Valley which is full of thick woods and glorious pastures.

Trip Type:

Pilgrimages | For those looking to follow a path of self-discovery. Our Pilgrimage and Camino routes take you on a journey through diverse landscapes and local flavours, while meeting like-minded adventurers along the way.

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Wine

Long-Distance Trails

Alpine Walking

Grade & Terrain

This tour is suitable for people that are in excellent physical condition. It is rated moderate to strenuous. You will be walking through the Alps at the beginning of the tour and therefore you will experience some elevations gains and losses (in particular elevation losses) throughout. No section of this walking tour is flat, and you will have mountain scenery throughout, which gives way to wooded hillsides and vineyards as you travel through the Aosta Valley. As this route tries to remain as true to the original pilgrimage route as possible, not only will you walk on trails and unpaved roads, but also on asphalt part of the way.

Experience & Fitness

You need to be a regular walker and in good physical shape to complete the Full Via Francigena. If you are doing shorter stages then these are less demanding, but the per day mileage still includes longer distances on some days and a couple of the stages include ascents and descents, especially in the foothills of the Alps at the start of the Via Francigena route. We would recommend taking training walks carrying your daypack ahead of going on this trip.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

Overnights in a variety of accommodation
Breakfasts
Door to door baggage transfer as per your itinerary
Access to maps, GPX tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
Transfers where mentioned in the itinerary
All your trip documents including a detailed information pack provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
Telephone support from our office in the event of a problem

Excluded