Stroll
Via Francigena Camino Switzerland: Gran San Bernardo Pass to Ivrea - 9 Days
Camino de SantiagoVia Francigena

Via Francigena Camino Switzerland: Gran San Bernardo Pass to Ivrea - 9 Days

9 Days
Easy to Moderate

Via Francigena Camino Switzerland: Gran San Bernardo Pass to Ivrea - 9 Days

from £1,185 / person

Overview

This walk along the Via Francigena follows one of history's great routes, tracing the ancient path through the Gran San Bernardo Pass and into the heart of the Italian Val d'Aosta. From the alpine drama of the pass to the charming villages of Etroubles and Aosta, the route moves through a landscape rich in history and character at every stage.

Family-run accommodations along the way add a distinctly personal touch to the experience, with local food and wine providing a warm and authentic end to each day's walking. It is a journey that connects walkers with both the landscape and the long history of the route itself, one of the most scenic and historically significant paths in all of Europe.

Highlights

  • Ascend the majestic Gran San Bernardo Pass, overlooking snow-capped peaks
  • Wander through Etroubles, renowned for its artisanal ham and ancient heritage
  • Explore the Roman ruins of Aosta, including the impressive Pretorian Arch
  • Walk along the scenic vineyards of the 'Chemins de Vignobles' trail
  • Visit the remarkable castles of Quart and Fenis, steeped in history
  • Discover tranquil mountain villages, each with its unique charm
  • Savour the local delicacies and warm hospitality of family-run inns
  • Conclude your journey amidst the enchanting landscapes of Ivrea

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Gran San Bernardo Pass

Your adventure begins at the breathtaking Gran San Bernardo Pass, a historic and tranquil area that has welcomed countless pilgrims over the centuries. Check into your charming accommodation, a sanctuary for those preparing for their upcoming walk. As you settle in, take a moment to absorb the stunning alpine scenery that surrounds you.

Accommodation

3-star Hotel in Great St. Bernard Pass

Meals

Dinner

What's Included

Accommodation

3-star Hotel (8 nights)

Meals

8 breakfasts, and 2 dinners

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Guidance & Support

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

How We Rate This Walk

2

Stroll Walking Grade

Easy to Moderate

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

Mostly flat terrain with some gentle inclines. Suitable for anyone with basic fitness who enjoys walking.

View Fitness Guide

7

Days on the trail

13-21 km

Daily distance range

3-814 m

Daily ascent range

2/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Family-run three-star mountain hotels and agriturismi carry you through this nine-day route from the Great St Bernard Pass to Ivrea. The agriturismi are Italian farmhouse properties rooted in the landscape you are crossing, and they bring a distinctly local character to the overnight experience. All rooms have private en-suite facilities, and some establishments have partnerships with nearby wellness centres, worth considering after a day at altitude.

Alternative Accommodation

During peak season, alternative accommodation may occasionally be used in place of those pictured, and minor adjustments to your walking routes may follow as a result. Please check your confirmed accommodation carefully against the itinerary on arrival and departure and note any changes. In the event of any change, we will always ensure the alternative meets the same standard and make every effort to keep you in the same towns and villages along the route.


What You'll Eat

The trip begins with dinner included on arrival at the Gran San Bernardo Pass. Eight breakfasts are included across the trip, one each morning throughout. On day seven, both breakfast and dinner are provided in Pont Saint Martin. For everything else, lunch and dinner are an opportunity to explore, and the towns along this route have a strong tradition of good food and local wine that is well worth seeking out.

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 in more remote mountain stretches of this route.

More About This Trip

The walk starts at Gran San Bernardo Pass and finishes in Ivrea, in northwest Italy. The most convenient airport is Geneva (GVA), with good international connections. From Geneva, trains run to Martigny, from where a bus connects directly to Gran San Bernardo Pass. Those travelling via Milan connect from Milano Centrale, also changing at Martigny. Travellers via Turin connect through Aosta instead. Book Swiss rail tickets in advance through SBB.

The walk ends in Ivrea, from where trains connect to Turin and Milan, both offering good onward rail and air connections. Turin (TRN) and Milan's airports (MXP and LIN) are reachable by train from their respective city centres. As with all rail travel in Italy, remember to stamp your ticket at the platform machine before boarding. Inspectors treat an unstamped ticket as unpaid travel, regardless of whether you have paid.


This walk is available from April to October, with no fixed start days. The Gran San Bernardo Pass sits at 2,469 metres, and timing matters. July and August offer the most reliable conditions for the crossing, when snow has fully cleared. June and September are also fine, with settled weather through the valley stages to Ivrea. April, May and October are possible but conditions at the pass can be wintry; check carefully before setting out. Pack warm layers and waterproofs whatever the month.

Easy to moderate. Daily walks average 16.1 kilometres with around 629 metres of ascent and descent, and a terrain difficulty rating of 5 out of 10. The terrain is uneven in places, so sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and reliable grip are essential.

Elevation is the primary training consideration for this route. Include regular hill climbs in your preparation; a treadmill, stair climber, or local grandstand works well if hills are not accessible. Build up to covering around 21 kilometres comfortably in a single day and include back-to-back walking days to prepare your body for consecutive days on the trail. Balance and lower-body strength exercises such as squats, lunges, and single-leg stands will help on the uneven ground.

You will be provided with comprehensive daily walk notes, detailed maps, and GPX tracks compatible with your own device.

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

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