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Via Francigena Tours is introducing a new Level 1 tour highlighting the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux vineyards in Switzerland. There are walks through vineyards on several of the Swiss Via Francigena stages. The most spectacular are the Lavaux vineyards in Stages VFS05 and VFS06. In the 12th Century Cistercian monks constructed the vineyards by building stone walls on the slopes surrounding Lake Léman. Today, these vineyards still flourish in the sun-drenched slopes with the warmth of the walls at night.
The ‘Great Lavaux Trail Walk’ is an easy Level 1 walk because the distances are shorter allowing for longer rest breaks. But more importantly, there is time to stop and enjoy the history, culture and art in this amazing part of Switzerland. It is available most of the year with colourful flowers in Spring and Summer. But the Autumn colours are a spectacular highlight!
The ‘Great Lavaux Trail Walk’ can be extended to an average level 2 version with two extra days continuing to Martigny. The first day is VFS07 Aigle to St-Maurice (18 km) and the second day is VFS08 St-Maurice to Martigny (17 km). It is level 2 because the walks are longer with some alpine trails.
For the truly fit who welcome a challenge we offer a more demanding Level 3 version. This 9 day walk begins in Lausanne and ends at Grand-St-Bernard Pass. Due to the snowy alpine conditions, it is only possible to do this walk from mid-June to mid-September. It is not for the inexperienced walker, with prior conditioning to high altitude walking conditions recommended.
Arrive at Lausanne and check into the Hotel. Then take a tour of the city visiting highlights like the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Botanical Gardens, the Château d’Ouchy, the Olympic Museum and much more! Most importantly, stamp your Pilgrim Passport in the Notre Dame Cathedral and become part of the Marian Pilgrimage of old.
Take the bus to Saint-Sulpice and visit the historic church. It is one of the oldest 12th century Romanesque churches in Switzerland and still retains some interesting features, especially the 14th century frescos and stained-glass windows. Then, walk the last part of VFS04 to Lausanne enjoying the beaches and Lake Léman framed by the Alps. A highlight is the ancient Roman Port of Vidy with Roman ruins in an archaeological site, the Roman Museum, the Marina, cafes and the Pyramides de Vidy artworks. Then continue walking back to Lausanne. (9 km)
This walk covers the first 9 km of VFS05. It begins with a visit to the park at Ouchy Quay and then Olympic Park. Enjoy artworks like the Olympic Fountain and the Haldimand Tower. Then continue walking beside the Lake to the Pully yacht marina (3.5 km). A little further on stop at Lutry and visit the beach and the medieval village (5 km). At Villette VD railway station go left into underpass and continue uphill to the small village, Villette. Arrive at Bourg-en-Lavaux and begin walking through the Lavaux vineyards. The walk peaks near Grandvaux (8 km). Then it continues downhill to Cully railway station for a return train trip to Lausanne. (9 km)
Travel by taxi or train back to the Cully Railway Station and walk through the town to Cully Pier (0.7 km) Then walk beside the Lake to Epesses Railway Station (1.7 km). Go under the railway and begin a steep uphill walk into Lavaux vineyards. Continue walking along a minor sealed road with spectacular views. At Rivaz enjoy the Swiss houses and Lake views (5 km). Then walk downhill to Saint-Saphorin with its narrow streets and Gothic church nestled on the hillside between the Lake and the vineyards (7 km). After that, it is uphill through the vineyards (7.7 km) to a sharp turn heading downhill to Corseaux where there is a fascinating Neolithic tomb (11 km). Then on to Vevey with many interesting places to visit.
It is a 13 km walk around the Lake from Vevey to Villeneuve. There are many highlights along the way. First there are the beautiful parks with fascinating sculptures. Then Montreux with many homages to the famous Montreux Jazz festival and Freddie Mercury (7 km). The Château de Chîllon is a highlight which is well worth a visit (10 km). The last town along the lakeside walk is Villeneuve with beautiful parks, beaches and historic town centre.
It is an easy, level walk for 11 km through the Rhône Valley surrounded by farmlands and towering Alps with small villages along the way. The highlight is walking through the Aigle vineyards. At Yvornne there is a steep uphill walk through the vineyards to Vers Morey (10 km). Then a sharp right turn continuing downhill to the Napoléon Bridge (11.5 km). Not to be missed are the walk along Jérusalem Street and a visit to Aigle Castle. This Castle is now a Museum dedicated to the Aigle’s wine production.
‘The Great Lavaux Trail’ tour ends in Aigle after breakfast.
Information about how to arrive at your starting place, Lausanne, is available on request.
The Via Francigena goes all the way from Canterbury to Rome. But you only have to walk the last 100 km to receive your Testimonium in Rome. So walk the Via Francigena Montefiascone to Rome and take only take 7 nights or 8 days to arrive in Rome. Most importantly, you will be delighted with all the surprises that Lazio has to offer! Don’t miss out! Sign up for our Via Francigena Montefiascone to Rome self-guided tour and walk the last 100 km to Rome!
Siena to Montefiascone is an 11 day, 150 km with many highlights in Tuscany and Lazio. The landscape abounds with Tuscan hills and cypress trees unique to the Crete Senesi landscape. There are many beautiful medieval cities and town like Buonconvento, San Quirico d’Orcia, Radicofani, Proceno, Acquapendente and Bolsena. Then there are the Montalcino vineyards and Lake Bolsena. In general, it is fair to say that this walk takes in the best history, culture, landscape, architecture, food and wine that Italy has to offer.