Highlights
- Verres Castle
- Dora Baltea valley
- Issogne Castle
Stage conditions
| Section | Aosta Valley (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Châtillon-Saint-Vincent and Verrès both have stations on the Chivasso–Ivrea–Aosta line, but that section is closed for electrification (since January 2024) and planned to reopen in stages from January 2027, so for now trains are replaced by buses. Arriva line 110 links Aosta, Châtillon, Saint-Vincent, Verrès and Pont-Saint-Martin along the valley, and the rail-replacement bus follows the same corridor. Verrès station, when it reopens, sits at the southern edge of the town centre between Rue des Alpes and Via della Stazione, with a ticket office, machines and a bar.
What the season does
Best months are April to October. The stage is short and marked full shade and abundant water, dropping from 651 m to 368 m, and the lower valley is warmer and drier than Aosta. Spring is the best light on the castles; summer is hot on the vineyard terraces above Montjovet but the day is only 18 km; autumn brings the harvest. Winter is possible on the valley floor but with fog and short days.
Safety on this stage
Graded easy, though the source stage page rates it quite demanding for its continual ups and downs: 608 m of ascent and 759 m of descent as the path climbs above the Montjovet gorge and drops again. The valley is narrow here and the SS26 and motorway are close; keep to trail 103 with the yellow waymarks and cross roads carefully. The rocky path above the gorge can be slippery when wet. Verrès is a small town with an easy arrival under its castle.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant, and the source stage page confirms fountains in every village and along the route. Châtillon and Saint-Vincent have shops and bars at the start; Montjovet has a fountain and a bar roughly halfway; Verrès has everything. No stretch is long enough to need more than one bottle. In summer, fill up before the exposed climb above Montjovet.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Verrès. The source stage page lists two pilgrim addresses: the Casa del Pellegrino at the Collegiata di Saint-Gilles, the collegiate church in the old town, and the Ostello Il Casello, a hostel. Carry your credential for the Casa del Pellegrino and telephone ahead, as church-run houses often want notice. Verrès also has hotels and B&Bs, and Issogne across the river is a short detour if you want to see its castle in the evening.
Sources: Regione Valle d'Aosta — Elettrificazione Aosta – Ivrea · Regione Valle d'Aosta — Linea Aosta-Ivrea, lavori in fase conclusiva (2026) · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Verrès · Arriva Italia — Valle d'Aosta by bus · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT04 Châtillon – Verrès
Common questions
How long is the Chatillon to Verres stage?
It is 18.0 km (11.2 mi) and takes about 4.5 hours of walking, from Chatillon to Verres.
How hard is Chatillon to Verres?
It is rated easy with 100 m of ascent and 150 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Chatillon to Verres stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Chatillon and away from Verres?
Châtillon-Saint-Vincent and Verrès both have stations on the Chivasso–Ivrea–Aosta line, but that section is closed for electrification (since January 2024) and planned to reopen in stages from January 2027, so for now trains are replaced by buses. Arriva line 110 links Aosta, Châtillon, Saint-Vincent, Verrès and Pont-Saint-Martin along the valley, and the rail-replacement bus follows the same corridor. Verrès station, when it reopens, sits at the southern edge of the town centre between Rue des Alpes and Via della Stazione, with a ticket office, machines and a bar.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Verres?
Our directory has no listing yet at Verrès. The source stage page lists two pilgrim addresses: the Casa del Pellegrino at the Collegiata di Saint-Gilles, the collegiate church in the old town, and the Ostello Il Casello, a hostel. Carry your credential for the Casa del Pellegrino and telephone ahead, as church-run houses often want notice.
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.