Stroll
Via Francigena Camino Switzerland: Lausanne to Colle Gran San Bernardo - 9 Days
Camino de SantiagoVia Francigena

Via Francigena Camino Switzerland: Lausanne to Colle Gran San Bernardo - 9 Days

9 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Via Francigena Camino Switzerland: Lausanne to Colle Gran San Bernardo - 9 Days

from £2,540 / person

Overview

The historic Via Francigena from lakeside Lausanne to the Great St. Bernard Pass is a rewarding 9-day walking journey covering 128 kilometres through some of Switzerland's most captivating terrain. The route begins among the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyards, which cascade down to the shores of Lake Geneva, before gradually ascending through medieval villages and alpine valleys to reach the iconic mountain pass that has connected travellers across Europe for centuries.

Every day brings a new highlight. Local wines sampled in centuries-old cellars, the 200-metre-deep Trient Gorge, the thundering Pissevache waterfall and historic mountain trails once walked by Napoleon each mark the journey in their own way. Comfortable B&B accommodation and manageable daily distances ensure the walking remains as enjoyable as it is ambitious.

The journey concludes at the Great St. Bernard Pass at 2,469 metres, a fitting and dramatic high point to one of the most scenically and historically rich walks in Switzerland.

Highlights

  • Walk through the spectacular Lavaux Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where generations of winemakers have sculpted terraces into steep slopes.
  • Follow one of Europe's most important historical routes, travelled by pilgrims for centuries.
  • Experience Switzerland's diverse landscapes from lakeshores to alpine passes.
  • Discover charming villages, historic churches, and local culinary traditions.
  • Conquer the Great St. Bernard Pass, following in the footsteps of countless travellers throughout history.
  • Explore Lausanne's multi-ethnic culture and landmarks like the Olympic Committee headquarters and the Gothic cathedral.
  • Enjoy a walk to Aigle and ascend to Yvorne for panoramic views of the Rhône Valley.
  • Discover the medieval village of Sembrancher and follow the Napoleon T rail.
  • Encounter the rich spiritual heritage in ancient pilgrimage towns.

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (7 nights), 4-star Hotel (1 night)

Meals

8 breakfasts, and 1 dinner

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

12-25 km

Daily distance range

109-967 m

Daily ascent range

4/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Each night is spent in a small, family-run boutique B&B or three to four-star hotel, with the larger properties based in the bigger towns along the route. All have been chosen for their location, facilities and history, and every one is well used to welcoming walkers. Should any listed property be unavailable, an alternative of equivalent standard will always be provided in place of those pictured.

What You'll Eat

Each of the eight mornings begins with breakfast before you head out on the trail. On day eight, dinner is provided in Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses. For everything else, cafes and local food stops along the route make lunch straightforward to find, and your hosts will offer a list of dinner recommendations each evening to point you in the right direction.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along more remote stretches of this route.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Lausanne and finishes at Colle Gran San Bernardo. The closest airport is Geneva (GVA), with good international connections, from where trains reach Lausanne in around 45 minutes. Book Swiss rail tickets in advance through SBB.

The walk ends at Colle Gran San Bernardo. The most practical departure option is a bus to Martigny, from where trains connect to Sion and onward destinations across Switzerland. Sion Airport (SIR) is a small regional airport reachable from Martigny by train in around 20 minutes. For broader onward connections, Geneva remains the most practical hub.


This walk is available from 13 June to 15 September, with daily departures. This window is deliberately set to ensure the Gran San Bernardo Pass, at 2,469 metres, is fully clear of snow and the high trail is safely open. June through September offers the most reliable conditions on this alpine route, with pleasant temperatures and the pass fully accessible. July and August are warm and settled, with the Lavaux vineyards and Rhône Valley at their most summery. September is a particularly fine month to walk, with the summer crowds easing and the alpine landscape beginning to turn. Pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the month; mountain weather on this route can change without warning.

The walk is graded moderate. Daily walks average 18.3 kilometres with around 630 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 4 out of 10. The route combines flatter sections with more mountainous, undulating ground, so sturdy walking boots with good grip are essential. Elevation is the primary training consideration; include regular hill climbs in your preparation, or use a treadmill or stair climber if hills are not accessible. Build up to covering 17 to 26 kilometres comfortably in a single day, include back-to-back walking days, and incorporate squats and lunges to build the strength needed for the ascents. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

For your safety and well-being, we are unable to accept bookings for solo walkers on this self-guided trip. The remote nature of some tracks and limited mobile reception mean that walking alone presents a higher risk in case of emergencies.

Luggage transfer is included in your package and is normally provided by the accommodation itself.
Please clearly mark all your belongings with your name and put a small note with the name of the next accommodation in order to indicate where the bags should go next (check your accommodation list). Also ask the accommodation owner where the bags should be left in the morning. Labelling your belongings prevents mix ups, delays and loss.
Bags should be ready and at the reception or store room by 9:00 hrs.
If you are unable to walk, you can always ask, if the luggage transporter can take you with him when transporting your baggage, but this is not always possible and sometimes you have to pay a small fee locally. In some countries there are special insurances for transporting peoples and sometimes the car is not suited for transporting persons.
When you travel with public transport you always take your luggage with you unless specified differently.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

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1Out of season
2Out of season
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5Out of season
Available
Limited
Unavailable
Out of season

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Notes

Via Francigena reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

The Via Francigena is one of Europe's great ancient pilgrimage routes, stretching from Canterbury in England to Rome. Stroll offers several sections of this historic walk, ranging from alpine stages through Switzerland and northern Italy to the rolling hills of Tuscany, and the final 100km into Rome through the ancient Etruscan countryside. Each section is distinct in character — the alpine itineraries involve mountain passes and valley descents, while the Tuscan and Roman sections move through cypress-lined roads, medieval hilltop towns, and open farmland.

Your main luggage is transported between accommodations each day, so you only carry a daypack on the walk. One bag per person is included, with a maximum weight of 20kg and maximum dimensions of 65 x 50 x 40cm. Bags should be clearly labelled with your name and the name of your next accommodation, and left at reception by 8:30–9:00 AM. They'll be delivered to your next property by 4:00 PM. Do not pack valuables in your transferred luggage — the transfer service cannot be held responsible for the contents. Carry cash, cards, medication, and important documents in your daypack at all times. On some days (notably Day 2 of the Lucca to Siena itinerary), you'll need to take your luggage with you on a train transfer — your walk notes will flag when this applies.

A comfortable daypack is essential. Key items include well-worn waterproof walking boots (never use new footwear on this walk), a rain jacket or poncho, warm layer, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, at least 1.5 litres of water, snacks and lunch supplies, a personal first aid kit including blister treatment and painkillers, your identification and insurance details, and cash. Walking poles are strongly recommended — two poles are ideal and make a real difference on both ascents and long descents, protecting your joints and improving balance on uneven terrain.

The Via Francigena passes through countless churches, abbeys, and sacred sites that are central to the pilgrimage tradition. Dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees are generally expected when entering religious buildings. Speak quietly, be respectful of any services in progress, and follow any posted guidelines about photography.

Tipping is not obligatory in Italy or Switzerland, but a small gesture is always appreciated for good service — rounding up a restaurant bill or leaving a few Euros is perfectly appropriate. There are no fixed expectations.

The Via Francigena passes through communities with a strong sense of local identity and pride. Support local businesses where you can — eat at family-run restaurants, buy from local shops, and engage respectfully with the people you meet along the way. The route has been walked by pilgrims for over a thousand years, and many of the communities along it are deeply connected to that tradition. A respectful and curious approach goes a long way.

Flag any allergies or dietary needs at the time of booking and remind your hosts again at check-in. The route passes through areas with deeply traditional cuisine where complex dietary requirements can be harder to accommodate. If your needs are specific, bring supplementary snacks from home. Most towns along the route have food shops and supermarkets where you can pick up supplies, and your hosts will always have restaurant recommendations for evenings when dinner isn't included.

Very much so, particularly if your walk ends in Rome. Arriving in the Eternal City after days or weeks on the road is a remarkable experience, and a few extra days to explore properly is highly recommended. Stroll can arrange additional nights in Rome, Siena, Montefiascone, or other end points depending on your itinerary.

Want to Know More?

The Via Francigena Experience

Wonder
Follow Archbishop Sigeric’s ancient pilgrimage through Val d’Elsa hilltop villages
See Lucca’s Volto Santo, then wander to San Gimignano’s medieval towers
Arrive in Rome via Monte Mario Belvedere and Piazza San Pietro
Wellness
Moderate graded trails through Val d’Elsa vineyards, olive fields and forest
Revive weary legs with a dip beneath Monte Gelato waterfalls
Family-run boutique B&Bs, generous breakfasts and Tuscan culinary specialities nightly
Nature
Volcanic ridgelines above Bolsena Lake and the plain below the Cimini Mountains
Streamside paths, shaded forests and serene country trails towards Rome
Etruscan thermal pools at Caldane and wooded Renai Forest approaches