ViaFrancigena
Overview
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Distance 26 km
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Duration 6 h 45 min
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Ascent 640 m
Intro
The ViaFrancigena reaches Swiss soil at La Grand’Borne near L’Auberson, leads over high plains to Sainte-Croix and down to Vuiteboeuf, with beautiful views of the Swiss Mittelland.
Description
The Via Francigena pilgrimage route has existed for about 2,000 years. The oldest description of the trail dates back to Archbishop Sigeric. He went to Rome to receive the pallium, a badge of office from the Pope. In 990, the Archbishop of Rome returned to Canterbury and documented the stages of his journey. This manuscript is considered to be the oldest description of the Via Francigena.
The third stage begins in the picturesque, medieval old town of Orbe (at an altitude of 479 m). It extends out on a promontory surrounded by the Orbe, about 40 metres above the Orbe plain, an area of intense agricultural cultivation. Crossing the river, the trail takes you into the forest. A little later, it branches off to the left towards Romainmôtier, and the path soon becomes a road. Attractive pastures and a long-range view of the Alps make this a truly enjoyable hike.
You arrive in Romainmôtier after a good two and a half hours of hiking. The Romanesque abbey church there catches the eye straight away: it was built by Cluniac monks in the 10th/11th century on the ruins of a monastery from the 5th and 7th centuries. It was the earliest foundation of a monastery on Swiss soil. The picturesque village is slightly hidden in the valley of the Nozon river and is part of the Jura Vaudois Nature Park. It is only about an hour’s walk away. The 568 km2 park stretches from the Dôle summit near Saint-Cergue and covers 34 municipalities as far as Romainmôtier.
Leaving the nature park, a forest trail takes you to La Sarraz. Leaving the village, you can see a castle on a rocky outcrop, and this dates back to 1049. The final two hours of the hike are now to be tackled. You go past the vines above the railway line, and the path first descends to the Venoge stream. You follow its course to the old mill below Lussery. Shortly afterwards, comes the final stage in Cossonay and this is slightly elevated. The village is impressive with its picturesque, medieval townscape, including town houses and patrician houses from the 17th to 19th centuries and the church of St. Peter and St. Paul. This is said to stand on the site of the church that was built in the 8th century.
An enjoyable tour includes the careful planning of the same. Please inform yourself in advance at the local information center about the route and weather conditions. Depending on the season and weather conditions, this route may be blocked or interrupted
| Start location |
Orbe
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|---|---|
| Destination |
Cossonay
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| Direction |
One way
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| Ascent |
640 m
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| Descent |
560 m
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| Distance |
26 km
|
| Duration |
6 h 45 min
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| Duration back |
6 h 40 min
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
May - October
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| Theme |
With panoramic view
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Quick Facts
Route number
