Lausanne to Grand-St-Bernard Pass

Arrive in Lausanne and check into hotel. Then visit Lausanne Cathedral and stamp your Pilgrim Credential. After that, take a tour of the old town, St Francis church and the Lake.

This 21.7 km walk is average in difficulty mostly walking beside Lake Geneva. It begins in Lausanne at Ouchy-Olympique Centre and continues along the foreshores of the Lake. Highlights include impressive sculptures, gardens, the beach at Pully and the boat port at Lutry. After 9 km the walk leaves the Lake and continues up into the vineyards to Espesses. There are magnificent views of the vineyards, Lake and Alps for the next 9 km walking through the UNESCO listed Lavaux vineyards and Saint-Sephorin village. Arriving back to the Lake at Vevey there are more lake views, sculptures and the Old Town.

Vevey to Aigle is a 25.1 km walk of average difficulty and is mostly level with a steep ascent at the end. It continues around Lake Geneva and then through the Rhône Valley.  Highlights are the Montreux lakeside sculptures, gardens, Lake and alpine views.  Another highlight is Château de Chillon nestled in its lakeside setting. At Villeneuve leave the Lake and head into the Rhône Valley surrounded by towering Alps. Continue through small towns and vineyards enjoying views of the Swiss Alps. At Yvorne, towards the end, there is a steep ascent into the vineyards of Aigle. Here there is another magnificent Castle to visit and a walk across the Napoléan Bridge leading into the historic centre.

The 17.7 walk from Aigle to Saint-Maurice is average in difficulty through the Rhône Valley surrounded by spectacular Swiss Alps. It begins walking past the 13^th century Aigle Castle and its vineyards. Then continues uphill through alpine trails with two step ascents from about 450 m to 650 m in the first 8 km. After that it is mostly level through forests and vineyards beside the Gryonne River. Then walk beside the Rhône River to St-Maurice.  Enjoy a visit to the St Maurice Abbey, its Archaeological Museum and Treasury. Then end the day sampling local food and Swiss wine. 

This 16.7 km walk is average in difficulty with a steep section from 430 m to about 530 m near the beginning and then mostly level. It passes through small towns and trails with spectacular alpine views. The highlight is the Pissevache waterfall and then the 200 m deep Trient gorge. Martigny is steeped in history with Roman ruins and many reminders of its pilgrimage history. In Martigny visit the Barry Foundation to see the Saint-Bernard Dogs and the Via Francigena Museum. Nearby is an ancient Roman amphitheatre and the Roman Via Poenina. The Fondation Pierre Gianadda usually has an amazing sculpture garden and art exhibitions.

Martigny to Orsières is a 19.6 km difficult walk due to its length, terrain and 500 m altitude ascent. It marks the beginning of the ascent to Grand-St-Bernard Pass. It starts at Martigny-Bourg with a steep alpine walk. Then down to the River Dranse along a narrow trail to a bridge crossing. Continue along an alpine trail visiting the medieval towns Bovernier and Sembrancher. Then follows the Napolean trail through alpine villages and trails with magnificent views of the Alps. At Orsières enjoy the picturesque old town and the historical St Nicolas Church with its remarkable Romanesque bell tower and a nearby bridge of historical significance for crossing the River Dranse.

The 14.3 km walk of average difficulty begins at Orsières by crossing the river Dranse. Then continue upward into the Swiss Alps with a steep ascent of about 650 m from 950 m to about 1600 m. It is mostly along well marked unsealed trails and roads running beside the River Dranse or through forests. The scenery is spectacular surrounded by Alps and pastures dotted with Swiss cows and alpine chalets. Visit the small historic town, Liddes with its Notre-Dame-de-Lorette Chapel. Then continue uphill to Bourg-St-Pierre. It is an interesting old town with places of historic interest including reminders of Napoléan’s visit.

Although this 11.5 km walk is short it is very demanding ascending almost 900 m from 1600 m to 2473 m (8114 ft). It begins at Bourg-Saint-Pierre and continues through alpine trails following the River Dranse. Then the trail meanders around Lac des Toules heading above the tree line. After this the ascent becomes quite steep but the scenery is magnificent walking through streams and lichen clad rocks surround by distant Alps. The high alpine tracks lead to the Hospice at Grand-Saint-Bernard with its genuine pilgrim hospitality. Visit the Hospice Museum, the St Bernard chapel and in summer see the Grand-St-Bernard dogs.

The tour ends after breakfast at Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass. To return to Geneva, take the bus to Orsières, and then the train to Geneva Airport. Or, join up for our Aosta Valley tour and continue along your way!