Highlights
- Abbey of Saint-Maurice
- Rhone Valley floor
- Saint-Maurice fortress
Stage conditions
| Section | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Aigle is on the Simplon line with half-hourly InterRegio trains between Geneva Airport and Brig, RegioExpress services and RER Vaud, and is the terminus of the TPC narrow-gauge lines. Saint-Maurice is on the same Simplon line 18 km on: hourly InterRegio between Geneva Airport and Brig, RegioExpress trains to Annemasse and Martigny, and the RegionAlps Regio R91 between Monthey and Brig. The tourist office is at Place de la Gare 2 beside the station. With stations at both ends on one line, this is one of the easiest Swiss stages to join or leave.
What the season does
Best months are April to October, the widest window of any Swiss stage, because the Rhône valley floor is low and marked full shade. Spring and autumn are ideal; summer is hot on the valley floor but the riverside paths are shaded. The valley narrows to a gorge at Saint-Maurice, where the abbey sits under the cliff, and it can be cold and windy there out of season. Winter walking is possible but fog and frost linger in the valley.
Safety on this stage
An easy 18 km along the valley floor, graded easy, with 524 m of ascent and descent spread along the flanks rather than one climb. The main hazards are the roads: the valley carries the A9 motorway, the railway and the cantonal road, and the route crosses or follows lanes beside them, so stay on the marked path. Rhône-side paths are shared with cyclists. Saint-Maurice's approach runs beneath rock walls; keep to the path and off the scree.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant. Aigle, Ollon, Bex and Saint-Maurice all have public fountains on the municipal supply, safe to drink unless signed otherwise, and there are cafés in each. The riverside stretches between villages are shaded but without services, so leave each village with a full bottle. Saint-Maurice is a small town with shops near the station and the abbey for the evening.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Saint-Maurice, but the abbey is the obvious bed. The Abbey of Saint-Maurice, founded in 515 and the oldest continuously active monastery in the West, takes Via Francigena pilgrims within its walls; the Swiss association lists it as a member with breakfast, and the tourist office confirms you can lodge at the abbey. The association also lists the Hôtellerie Franciscaine, Hôtel de la Dent du Midi, Motel Interalp, two chambres d'hôtes and the Camping du Bois-Noir. Book the abbey ahead.
Sources: Wikipedia — Aigle railway station · Wikipedia — St-Maurice railway station · Saint-Maurice Tourisme — Via Francigena · Via Francigena Suisse — Hébergements sur la Via Francigena suisse (PDF) · Umweltcheck — Drinking fountains in Switzerland
Common questions
How long is the Aigle to Saint-Maurice stage?
It is 18.0 km (11.2 mi) and takes about 4.5 hours of walking, from Aigle to Saint-Maurice.
How hard is Aigle to Saint-Maurice?
It is rated easy with 120 m of ascent and 100 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Aigle to Saint-Maurice stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Aigle and away from Saint-Maurice?
Aigle is on the Simplon line with half-hourly InterRegio trains between Geneva Airport and Brig, RegioExpress services and RER Vaud, and is the terminus of the TPC narrow-gauge lines. Saint-Maurice is on the same Simplon line 18 km on: hourly InterRegio between Geneva Airport and Brig, RegioExpress trains to Annemasse and Martigny, and the RegionAlps Regio R91 between Monthey and Brig. The tourist office is at Place de la Gare 2 beside the station.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Saint-Maurice?
Our directory has no listing yet at Saint-Maurice, but the abbey is the obvious bed. The Abbey of Saint-Maurice, founded in 515 and the oldest continuously active monastery in the West, takes Via Francigena pilgrims within its walls; the Swiss association lists it as a member with breakfast, and the tourist office confirms you can lodge at the abbey. The association also lists the Hôtellerie Franciscaine, Hôtel de la Dent du Midi, Motel Interalp, two chambres d'hôtes and the Camping du Bois-Noir.
Walk this stage
Open the full stage list to plan the legs either side, browse heritage along the route, or get the free Via Francigena Walk app for offline maps and GPS on the trail.