Day 1 - Day Off - Lausanne Switzerland - Via Francigena Camino
Sunny 22deg - 13kms - Yesterday we made the 22hour bus ride from London to Lausanne via Paris and spent our first night in Lausanne at an Airbnb. Today was spent wandering around this amazing Swiss city. Apart from appreciating the diverse architecture and beautiful views of Lake Geneva, we visited the cathedral and met our first fellow pilgrim Terri who started her journey in Cantabury.
After a few hours chatting over coffee and lunch we made our way down to the water front via some beautiful parks and gardens to enjoy our first beer and watch some brave Swiss play in the Lake. Our budget only allows for 1beer so we continued our wanderings along the waterfront, enjoyed the views and found the start of our first leg for tomorrow. We celebrated our first day with pizza and wine and now it's Time for bed.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of Lausanne video 🤗🤗
After a few hours chatting over coffee and lunch we made our way down to the water front via some beautiful parks and gardens to enjoy our first beer and watch some brave Swiss play in the Lake. Our budget only allows for 1beer so we continued our wanderings along the waterfront, enjoyed the views and found the start of our first leg for tomorrow. We celebrated our first day with pizza and wine and now it's Time for bed.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of Lausanne video 🤗🤗
Day 2 - Walking - Lausanne to Vevey - Via Francigena Camino
Overcast then Sunny 22deg - 22.8kms - Our first day walking with a pack for 2 years since the French Way. The weather is perfect and we feel that it should be a fairly moderate day. Mmmmm
We start off with a coffee and tea at our airbnb then head off down the water front by the lake. For the first half we spent most of the walk by the lake enjoying the stunning views and scenery. It's flat it's easy which makes getting used to the packs more bearable.
We met up with Terri against and another Pilgrim we who is doing 10days. As you see in the video after lunch we turn leave the lake and head into the vineyard's. Wow for two reasons... The views are even more stunning and with views comes hills.
The pack and hills were taking there till on us and we arrived into Vevey 9hrs after starting exhausted looking for water (which we ran out of with 5kms to go) and beer for energy of course...
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
We start off with a coffee and tea at our airbnb then head off down the water front by the lake. For the first half we spent most of the walk by the lake enjoying the stunning views and scenery. It's flat it's easy which makes getting used to the packs more bearable.
We met up with Terri against and another Pilgrim we who is doing 10days. As you see in the video after lunch we turn leave the lake and head into the vineyard's. Wow for two reasons... The views are even more stunning and with views comes hills.
The pack and hills were taking there till on us and we arrived into Vevey 9hrs after starting exhausted looking for water (which we ran out of with 5kms to go) and beer for energy of course...
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 3 - Walking - Vevey to Aigle - Via Francigena Camino
Overcast then Sunny 23deg - 26.5kms - It's nearly all flat today except for an unnecessary hill at the end. We are finding this Pilgrimage quite different from the French Way. For starters churches are don't feature on the route yet views do, so hense the extra hills 😳😲
It was a long day yesterday and we were already sore from the day before, reinforcing that we should have done pack training before we came 🤪☹️ One can only hope the trail fitness kicks in before the really big hills.
Today we walked on the flat continuing around the lake enjoying the stunning views, sculptures, castle and much more. We then turned inland where the paths got rougher and the views less. However we started to see the mountains which are apparently small compared with the Alps, even though these are big arse hills 😲😳🤪
We have met and walked with 2 other Pilgrims so far which we are told is rare, and our airbnb is Pilgrim friendly with a host who loves the Via which makes a difference 🤗🤗
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
It was a long day yesterday and we were already sore from the day before, reinforcing that we should have done pack training before we came 🤪☹️ One can only hope the trail fitness kicks in before the really big hills.
Today we walked on the flat continuing around the lake enjoying the stunning views, sculptures, castle and much more. We then turned inland where the paths got rougher and the views less. However we started to see the mountains which are apparently small compared with the Alps, even though these are big arse hills 😲😳🤪
We have met and walked with 2 other Pilgrims so far which we are told is rare, and our airbnb is Pilgrim friendly with a host who loves the Via which makes a difference 🤗🤗
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 4 - Walking - Aigle to Saint - Via Francigena Camino
Sunny 27deg - 18.91kms - We stayed in an amazing Airbnb in Aigle where the host knows all about the Via, and it was the cheapest in Switzerland so far. It's the little things on a pilgrimage that make the difference and we enjoyed every moment of our stay there.
Our host also told us about an alternative route to Saint Maurice which misses the second unnecessary hill without taking away from the enjoyment of the walk😳😳
As we left Aigle we started climbing and soon found ourselves looking at the Castle with the mountains in the background what a Swiss Moment 😲😍
As we continued to climb we were treated to stunning views of the mountains and valley below. By continuing through the forest we reached the other side of the big hill and descended through the vinyards.
At this stage we decided to leave the VF for a while and walk the valley floor. It's amazing, like walking in the valley of giants with mountains on either side. Rejoining the VF we walked along streams and rivers, through the pass into Saint Maurice exhausted again.
Wow these mountains are big, giving some indication of what's a head 😳😲🤔🤔
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Our host also told us about an alternative route to Saint Maurice which misses the second unnecessary hill without taking away from the enjoyment of the walk😳😳
As we left Aigle we started climbing and soon found ourselves looking at the Castle with the mountains in the background what a Swiss Moment 😲😍
As we continued to climb we were treated to stunning views of the mountains and valley below. By continuing through the forest we reached the other side of the big hill and descended through the vinyards.
At this stage we decided to leave the VF for a while and walk the valley floor. It's amazing, like walking in the valley of giants with mountains on either side. Rejoining the VF we walked along streams and rivers, through the pass into Saint Maurice exhausted again.
Wow these mountains are big, giving some indication of what's a head 😳😲🤔🤔
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 5 - Walking - Saint Maurice to Martigny - Via Francigena Camino
Sunny 30deg - 18.31kms - We knew it was going to be hot so we planned to leave at 7am 😜😆. Well true to form we left at 7.30am which for us is some sort of record 😀
We spent the morning walking in the shadow of the mountains long back roads and fields. After a few hours we met 2 pilgrims who were powering along yet slowed to a chat for a few KMs and the inevitable . selfie 🤗 Soon they powered on again as they wanted to visit one of the many gorges entering Martigny.
It was not long before we met another 2 pilgrims that we ended up walking with to Martigny. As we walked ahead we were surrounded by amazing mountains and feeling an increasing sense of what lies ahead when we walk the St Bernards pass over the coming days.
The rest of the day was spent walking along roads, forest's, towns and looking for any place that was open on a Sunday to sell us a coffee☕☕ For us fatigue is setting in and even today's walk was difficult.
We are looking forward to our rest day tomorrow and some much needed recovery time.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
We spent the morning walking in the shadow of the mountains long back roads and fields. After a few hours we met 2 pilgrims who were powering along yet slowed to a chat for a few KMs and the inevitable . selfie 🤗 Soon they powered on again as they wanted to visit one of the many gorges entering Martigny.
It was not long before we met another 2 pilgrims that we ended up walking with to Martigny. As we walked ahead we were surrounded by amazing mountains and feeling an increasing sense of what lies ahead when we walk the St Bernards pass over the coming days.
The rest of the day was spent walking along roads, forest's, towns and looking for any place that was open on a Sunday to sell us a coffee☕☕ For us fatigue is setting in and even today's walk was difficult.
We are looking forward to our rest day tomorrow and some much needed recovery time.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 6 - Day Off - Sight See Mont Blanc - Via Francigena Camino
Day 7 - Walking - Martigny - Orsieres - Via Francigena Camino
Sunny 23deg - 19.51kms - OMG what a day. So yes we read alot about this section and it lived up to expectations. For us it was a hard day with steep lnclines and interesting obstacles.
Leaving Martigny we walked through a beautiful forest with undulating track thinking, Oh it's not so bad but that was only a warm up for the next section.
After a much needed coffee in Bovernier we started the next section over very loose rock paths. As I was talking a picture Jill slipped and went down on a loose thin section. There was a 50m drop to the river so she clung to the edge while I came and pulled her up. It would not have been easy if she was solo. Anyway apart from a bruised bum she is ok and we continued on climbing over boulders and rocks with still more steep sections.
With much gratitude that section ended in Sembacher where we had some lunch and continued on. There is a very steep climb out of Sembacher then it's a comfortable walk though forest's with amazing views of the valley below.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Leaving Martigny we walked through a beautiful forest with undulating track thinking, Oh it's not so bad but that was only a warm up for the next section.
After a much needed coffee in Bovernier we started the next section over very loose rock paths. As I was talking a picture Jill slipped and went down on a loose thin section. There was a 50m drop to the river so she clung to the edge while I came and pulled her up. It would not have been easy if she was solo. Anyway apart from a bruised bum she is ok and we continued on climbing over boulders and rocks with still more steep sections.
With much gratitude that section ended in Sembacher where we had some lunch and continued on. There is a very steep climb out of Sembacher then it's a comfortable walk though forest's with amazing views of the valley below.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 8 - Walking - Orsieres to Bourg St Pierre - Via Francigena Camino
Overcast 22deg - 15.46kms - Gain 986m - Today we walked with fellow pilgrim Terri for what turned out to be a tough walk up. Even though it was an easier day we were still fatigued from yesterday.
As we climbed the views were stunning. Passing some small towns we were able to get a coffee to fuel ourselves and move forward. We are starting to really appreciate the physical and mental stamina it takes to complete this Camino and kudos to all who have been before.
So far this feels more like nature appreciation than a religious or spiritual pilgrimage, as we make our way through Switzerland.
We always knew the Grand St Bernard pass would be tough as in 3days we climb 3050 metres and walk 46+ KMs, and it is proving just that.
So far this is an entirely different experience to the French way and we look forward to seeing what Italy has to offer. In the mean time we are enjoying the company of other Pilgrims and the stunning nature Switzerland has to offer.
Tomorrow we crest the pass and can't wait to see the St Bernard puppies and Swiss Alps mountain tops.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
As we climbed the views were stunning. Passing some small towns we were able to get a coffee to fuel ourselves and move forward. We are starting to really appreciate the physical and mental stamina it takes to complete this Camino and kudos to all who have been before.
So far this feels more like nature appreciation than a religious or spiritual pilgrimage, as we make our way through Switzerland.
We always knew the Grand St Bernard pass would be tough as in 3days we climb 3050 metres and walk 46+ KMs, and it is proving just that.
So far this is an entirely different experience to the French way and we look forward to seeing what Italy has to offer. In the mean time we are enjoying the company of other Pilgrims and the stunning nature Switzerland has to offer.
Tomorrow we crest the pass and can't wait to see the St Bernard puppies and Swiss Alps mountain tops.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 9 - Walking - Bourg St Pierre to Grand St Bernard Pass - Via Francigena Camino
Sunny 18deg - 13.31kms - Gain 954m - We knew today was going to be tough and it did not disappoint. From the minute we left Bourg St Pierre we started climbing and apart from some small levels didn't stop.
The weather again was perfect and the views stunning. We walked through forest's, along tracks and paths, pasts dams and reservoirs it really is a beautiful walk.
We met many pilgrims which brings out total count to around 15+ and walked with a few through the hills.
The last 2 KMs are very steep climb which saps any remaining energy out of us, but upon reaching the top we celebrated with a beer and trip to see the St Bernard dogs.
We loved the last 3 days however they were some of the hardest walking we have ever done.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
The weather again was perfect and the views stunning. We walked through forest's, along tracks and paths, pasts dams and reservoirs it really is a beautiful walk.
We met many pilgrims which brings out total count to around 15+ and walked with a few through the hills.
The last 2 KMs are very steep climb which saps any remaining energy out of us, but upon reaching the top we celebrated with a beer and trip to see the St Bernard dogs.
We loved the last 3 days however they were some of the hardest walking we have ever done.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
Day 10 - Walking - Grand St Bernard Pass to Etroubles - Via Francigena Camino
Sunny 15deg - 14.47kms - Decent 1200m - We woke up this morning to a wonderful breakfast at that GSP Alburg. Now just to clear up some confusion we had there are two seperate places to stay in this facility. One is the Alburg and the other is the Hospice. Both places are amazing and if you're staying at the Alburg you can visit the Hospice, museum, Chapple, the 15min video is a must and chat with the volunteers and Cannons.
We also had dinner on the Italian side which was somewhat cheaper and had a better selection of food. So this morning after breakfast and the mandatory morning selfie we started our decent down the Italian side.
It wasn't long before we realised this was going to be a tough one. Apart from walking on what are little more than rocky water courses, we descended 800m in about 5kms and had a decent of about 1.2kms over the day. Yes sore legs and feet returned.
However the views are amazing and the scenery stunning. We feel so privileged to have experienced it and are starting to really embrace Italy. We have been here for less than a day and already the feel of our pilgrimage has changed. I can't really explain it, but it feels different, and we feel the Italians tend to support and encourage the pilgrimage.
We found our fist pilgrim donativo station today and our wonderful apartment host showed us the the main square where we stamped our passports
.
We are really looking forward to experiencing our Italian pilgrimage moving forward.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
We also had dinner on the Italian side which was somewhat cheaper and had a better selection of food. So this morning after breakfast and the mandatory morning selfie we started our decent down the Italian side.
It wasn't long before we realised this was going to be a tough one. Apart from walking on what are little more than rocky water courses, we descended 800m in about 5kms and had a decent of about 1.2kms over the day. Yes sore legs and feet returned.
However the views are amazing and the scenery stunning. We feel so privileged to have experienced it and are starting to really embrace Italy. We have been here for less than a day and already the feel of our pilgrimage has changed. I can't really explain it, but it feels different, and we feel the Italians tend to support and encourage the pilgrimage.
We found our fist pilgrim donativo station today and our wonderful apartment host showed us the the main square where we stamped our passports
.
We are really looking forward to experiencing our Italian pilgrimage moving forward.
Just liven what's given...
Enjoy the sights of the trip in the video 🤗🤗
When time permits we will add some more of our other activities and adventures, there have been a few ...