Highlights
- Lavaux vineyards UNESCO
- Lake Geneva panorama
- Lausanne Cathedral
- Olympic Museum
Stage conditions
| Section | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Start from Cossonay-Penthalaz station (RER Vaud R1/R2 and R3/R4, half-hourly on weekdays) and take the funicular up to Cossonay-Ville, where the stage begins. Lausanne is the biggest hub on the Swiss section: its station sits at the junction of the Simplon, Lausanne–Bern and Lausanne–Geneva lines, with SBB InterCity, InterRegio and RegioExpress trains, RER Vaud, TGV Lyria to Paris and EuroCity trains towards Milan. IC 1, IR 15 and IR 90 run direct to Geneva Airport. The m2 metro links the station to Ouchy on the lakeshore.
What the season does
Best months are May to October. The descent into Lausanne through the Morges wine country is marked full shade and abundant water, and the lake moderates the temperature, so even July and August are workable if you start early. Autumn is the vintage in the Lavaux vineyards and the most atmospheric time to arrive; spring is green and quiet. Winter walking is possible on these low paths but the days are short and the lake fog can sit all day.
Safety on this stage
This is a gentle stage of 22 km with 198 m of ascent and 386 m of descent. The hazards are urban rather than alpine: the last kilometres cross Lausanne's suburbs and you share lanes with traffic, so keep to pavements and cross at lights. Vineyard tracks are paved and can be hot underfoot in summer. Lausanne is steep; if you are footsore, the m2 metro saves the climb between the lakeshore at Ouchy and the station.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant. Public fountains in every village and throughout Lausanne are on the municipal supply unless signed otherwise, so carry one bottle and refill as you go; a few fountains are shut off in winter. Cossonay has shops for the start, and there is no shortage of cafés once you reach the Lausanne suburbs. The exposed vineyard sections above the lake are where you will drink most, so top up before leaving the last village.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists Lausanne GuestHouse, a B&B in the city. The Swiss Via Francigena association's list adds a pilgrim welcome at the Paroisse St-Amédée, the Lausanne youth hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse) and the lakeside Camping de Vidy, and points to Lausanne Tourisme for the many hotels. Lausanne is a city, so beds are not scarce, but it is expensive and busy in summer; carry your credential for the parish address and book the pilgrim options ahead.
Sources: Wikipedia — Cossonay-Penthalaz railway station · Wikipedia — Lausanne railway station · Via Francigena Suisse — Hébergements sur la Via Francigena suisse (PDF) · Umweltcheck — Drinking fountains in Switzerland
Common questions
How long is the Cossonay to Lausanne stage?
It is 22.0 km (13.7 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Cossonay to Lausanne.
How hard is Cossonay to Lausanne?
It is rated moderate with 300 m of ascent and 420 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Cossonay to Lausanne stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Cossonay and away from Lausanne?
Start from Cossonay-Penthalaz station (RER Vaud R1/R2 and R3/R4, half-hourly on weekdays) and take the funicular up to Cossonay-Ville, where the stage begins. Lausanne is the biggest hub on the Swiss section: its station sits at the junction of the Simplon, Lausanne–Bern and Lausanne–Geneva lines, with SBB InterCity, InterRegio and RegioExpress trains, RER Vaud, TGV Lyria to Paris and EuroCity trains towards Milan. IC 1, IR 15 and IR 90 run direct to Geneva Airport.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Lausanne?
Our directory lists Lausanne GuestHouse, a B&B in the city. The Swiss Via Francigena association's list adds a pilgrim welcome at the Paroisse St-Amédée, the Lausanne youth hostel (Auberge de Jeunesse) and the lakeside Camping de Vidy, and points to Lausanne Tourisme for the many hotels. Lausanne is a city, so beds are not scarce, but it is expensive and busy in summer; carry your credential for the parish address and book the pilgrim options ahead.
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.