Stage 1 of the Via Francigena begins in the charming Swiss village of Bourg-Saint-Pierre and crosses the spectacular Great St Bernard Pass into Italy. This unforgettable section combines dramatic alpine scenery, historic mountain villages, and the stunning landscapes of the Aosta Valley, offering a memorable introduction to one of Europe’s most iconic pilgrimage routes.
As you descend from the Alps, you’ll pass vineyards, Roman ruins, medieval castles, and picturesque towns, each with its own unique history and character. The route follows quiet trails and ancient pathways before finishing in the historic town of Ivrea, renowned for its medieval streets and welcoming atmosphere.
Perfect for walkers seeking adventure, Stage 1 offers the ideal combination of breathtaking scenery, rich history, and authentic Italian hospitality, making it an unforgettable start to the Via Francigena.
Inclusions
- 8 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels, guesthouses and pilgrim-friendly accommodation with private facilities where available
- Daily luggage transfers between accommodations
- Comprehensive route notes and navigation resources
- Detailed pre-departure information pack
- Expert local knowledge and 24-hour emergency assistance during your trip
- Professional event organisation and itinerary planning
Exclusions:
- Travel to the start and finish points of the trip
- Lunches and evening meals
- Personal insurance (for cancellation, accident, health, emergency evacuation and loss, theft of or damage to baggage and personal effects)
- Airport transfers
- Tourist taxes where applicable
- Guiding services (available on request)
Optional extras
- Single room supplement £60 per person per night (subject to availability)
- Solo traveller supplement £60 per person per night
- Odd group supplement £60 per group per night may apply if a single room is required.
- Extra night prior to start (single room) £180 per person
- Extra night prior to the start (twin room, needs 2 people) £90 per person
- Extra night at the end of the event (single room) £180 per person
- Extra night at the end of the event (twin room, needs 2 people) £90 per person
Please select from Optional Extras at checkout.
Getting there and back
Getting There
The nearest international airport is Geneva Airport, with excellent train connections to Martigny, followed by a regional bus to the village of Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
Getting Away:
Ivrea is well connected by rail and road, making it easy to continue your travels. Regular train services connect the town with Turin and Milan, where you’ll find international airports and onward connections throughout Italy and Europe.
Evening meals and lunches
You can purchase evening meals either at the accommodation or nearby. When our event planners send you the schedule with itinerary you could prearrange directly with the accommodation or during the walk.
For lunches we would suggest bringing some of your own favourite snack bars and then asking the accommodation for a packed lunch for the following day and also supplementing that at stops en-route.
Accommodation
Accommodation is generally in a mixture of family-run hotels, guesthouses, rural inns and carefully selected pilgrim-friendly accommodation. Private ensuite facilities will be provided wherever possible, although in some smaller villages facilities may occasionally be shared.
Once your booking is confirmed, your event planner will provide details of your accommodation and discuss any preferences or special requirements.
Dog friendly
Due to accommodation restrictions and the logistics, this trip is generally not recommended for travellers with dogs.
Need a guide?
If you would prefer to have a guide for your walk, even just for one day, then we are happy to help. We can provide a qualified leader (also first aid qualified) to lead your trek or on just one of the sections. Just ask us.
A guide can not only take the stress out of navigation, but you will also find them a great asset in terms of providing an insight into all things environment and nature.
Dates and prices
For available dates please see the ‘build your trip’ option on the left hand side on desktops or at the bottom on mobiles. You can reserve your space via this route.
After you book
After placing your booking with us, you will in the first instance receive an automated email from our system confirming receipt of your reservation. If you don’t receive it, it is worth checking your spam/clutter folder.
In the process of placing your booking, you will generally set up an access password to our online gateway where you can review the details of the booking.
Your personal event planner will then be in touch with you to start to confirm the details. This contact will usually be taken up in the working day after receipt of your booking, but may, in busy times, take a little longer. The event planner will then liaise with you regarding the details of the course. If you have any specific requirements, please do mention it at this stage.
At the end of your trip
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end at some point. Luckily you have one of several options. If you have not booked additional tour plans have a look at our other offerings and extend your holiday.
You can arrange this as an optional add on with your adventure travel planner.
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