ViaFrancigena
Overview
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Distance 25 km
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Duration 6 h
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Ascent 220 m
Intro
French poet Gilles described the beauty of the Venoge, the river that this stage follows from Cossonay to Saint-Sulpice, sometimes high up, sometimes beside the water. The pilgrims’ path finally reaches Lac Léman and continues on via the Roman town of Vidy to Lausanne.
Description
In the 1990s, the Via Francigena also benefited from the popularity of the Way of St. James. In 1994, it was recognised as a European Cultural Route by the European Institute of Cultural Routes, and in 2004, as a Major Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.
The sixth stage, starting in Vevey, is one of the longer ones, but there is only a small altitude difference to negotiate. The 27 km hike begins with a magnificent view across Lake Geneva towards the Alps. Vevey experienced its heyday in the Belle Epoque period at the end of the 19th century. Magnificent hotels and the promenade lined with palm trees and flowers catch the eye straight away. The climate here is extraordinarily mild and there are countless trip destinations that can be reached from the city in just a few minutes.
The trail follows the shore of the lake and it takes around two hours to reach Montreux. Surrounded by vineyards, the city is located in a sheltered bay. It is known worldwide for the annual Montreux Jazz Festival. Further along the flower-lined boulevard, you can soon pick out Chillon Castle. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the Counts of Savoy settled in Vaud, and Chillon Castle was one of many fortresses they had built around Lake Geneva. Thanks to the island’s natural protection, strategic location and numerous defences, it was considered impregnable and was never attacked in the Middle Ages. However, later on in 1536, conquest happened quickly: with 16 cannons and 1,500 men, the Confederates advanced against the Savoy army and soon took the castle.
You reach Villeneuve in just under three and a half hours. From the Middle Ages, the city lived on the trade between Italy and Switzerland and served as a transhipment point. The trail continues to Roche, mostly on asphalt roads and close to the railway tracks, then through the surrounding vineyards to Aigle, where this long stage ends.
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 |
Vevey
|
|---|---|
| Destination |
Aigle
|
| Direction |
One way
|
| Altitude (meter above sea level) |
450 m
|
| Ascent |
220 m
|
| Descent |
180 m
|
| Distance |
25 km
|
| Duration |
6 h
|
| Duration back |
6 h
|
| Technical requirements |
Easy
|
| Physical requirements |
Difficult
|
| Season |
March - October
|
| Theme |
Along Water, With panoramic view
|
| More information | https://schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland/r... |
Quick Facts
Route number
