Highlights
- Aosta Roman ruins
- Arch of Augustus
- Porta Praetoria
- Roman theatre
- Aosta Cathedral
Stage conditions
| Section | Aosta Valley (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Etroubles is on Arriva line 422 from Aosta, with around ten buses a day from the city (fewer on Sundays). Aosta has a railway station on the Chivasso–Ivrea–Aosta line, but note the trap: the Ivrea–Aosta section has been closed since January 2024 for electrification, with a replacement bus service between Ivrea and Aosta, and the region now plans a progressive reopening from 11 January 2027 (Ivrea–Pont-Saint-Martin first, Aosta by spring 2027). Until then, take the replacement bus to Ivrea for trains to Turin. Arriva also runs booked coaches from Aosta bus station to Turin, Milan and Milan Malpensa airport.
What the season does
Best months are May to October. The stage is marked full shade and abundant water and drops 842 m from 1,298 m to the valley floor, so it is the gentlest of the alpine days and the first where summer is comfortable. Spring brings meltwater in the torrents and orchards in blossom; autumn is the wine harvest around Aosta. Aosta at 580 m has a proper city climate: cold, foggy winters and warm summers. The Gran San Bernardo valley above can hold snow into April.
Safety on this stage
Graded easy, but the source stage page rates it quite demanding because of steep descents, and 842 m of down is real on the knees; use poles. The route follows trail 103 with yellow regional waymarks through Echevennoz, Gignod, Variney and Signayes; where it meets the SS27 Gran San Bernardo road, traffic is fast, so cross carefully and keep to the path. The last kilometres into Aosta are suburban streets. No mountain hazards remain, but afternoon storms still roll down the valley in summer.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant, and the source stage page confirms fountains in every village and along the route. Etroubles has a shop and bar for the start; Gignod and the hamlets below have fountains; Aosta has everything. There is no long dry stretch, so one bottle refilled at each village is enough. Aosta is the place to restock for the long valley stage to Châtillon tomorrow, with supermarkets near the station and the old town.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory lists the Ostello della Gioventù Aosta, a pilgrim hostel; check its current opening locally, as we could not confirm it from a source. The source stage page also lists the Parrocchia Saint Martin as pilgrim accommodation in Aosta, and the accommodation page on this site notes that Italy has the densest pilgrim network on the route. Aosta is the regional capital with hotels and B&Bs at every level, so a bed is never the problem; a credential is for the parish and hostel options.
Sources: Valle d'Aosta (lovevda) — Posto tappa Echevennoz, Étroubles · Arriva Italia — Valle d'Aosta by bus · Regione Valle d'Aosta — Elettrificazione Aosta – Ivrea · Regione Valle d'Aosta — Linea Aosta-Ivrea, lavori in fase conclusiva (2026) · Wikipedia — Aosta railway station · Arriva Italia — Courmayeur – Aosta – Milano · Arriva Italia — Valle d'Aosta – Milano Malpensa Airport · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT02 Etroubles – Aosta
Common questions
How long is the Etroubles to Aosta stage?
It is 18.0 km (11.2 mi) and takes about 4.5 hours of walking, from Etroubles to Aosta.
How hard is Etroubles to Aosta?
It is rated easy with 100 m of ascent and 700 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Etroubles to Aosta stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Etroubles and away from Aosta?
Etroubles is on Arriva line 422 from Aosta, with around ten buses a day from the city (fewer on Sundays). Aosta has a railway station on the Chivasso–Ivrea–Aosta line, but note the trap: the Ivrea–Aosta section has been closed since January 2024 for electrification, with a replacement bus service between Ivrea and Aosta, and the region now plans a progressive reopening from 11 January 2027 (Ivrea–Pont-Saint-Martin first, Aosta by spring 2027). Until then, take the replacement bus to Ivrea for trains to Turin.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Aosta?
Our directory lists the Ostello della Gioventù Aosta, a pilgrim hostel; check its current opening locally, as we could not confirm it from a source. The source stage page also lists the Parrocchia Saint Martin as pilgrim accommodation in Aosta, and the accommodation page on this site notes that Italy has the densest pilgrim network on the route. Aosta is the regional capital with hotels and B&Bs at every level, so a bed is never the problem; a credential is for the parish and hostel options.
Walk this stage
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