Highlights
- Lavaux vineyard terraces
- Lake Geneva views
- Lutry village
- Vevey lakefront
- Charlie Chaplin statue
Stage conditions
| Section | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Lausanne station is the hub: SBB InterCity, InterRegio and RegioExpress trains, RER Vaud, direct trains to Geneva Airport (IC 1, IR 15, IR 90) and the m2 metro down to Ouchy, where the lakeside walk begins. At the far end, Vevey is on the Simplon line with half-hourly InterRegio trains between Geneva Airport and Brig, RegioExpress services, and RER Vaud R3/R4 and R7. If you need to shorten the day, the Lavaux villages between the two towns have their own stations on the same line, so you can bail out or rejoin almost anywhere.
What the season does
Best months are May to October. The stage crosses the Lavaux terraces, and the stage notes warn that the exposed vineyard sections can be hot in summer: shade is only partial and the south-facing walls hold the heat. Start early in July and August and carry a hat. Late September and October bring the grape harvest, the busiest and most beautiful weeks in the vineyards. Spring is quieter, and the lake keeps winter mild, though the terraces are bare and the days short.
Safety on this stage
The walking is on paved vineyard lanes and lakeside paths, with 318 m of ascent and descent in short, steep steps between the terraces. Heat and sun are the main risks in summer; there is little shade for long stretches. The lanes are shared with vineyard vehicles and, on fine weekends, many cyclists. Vevey is a small town, so the arrival is easy. Nothing on this day is technical, but the stone steps are hard on the knees when wet.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant. Lutry, Cully and the other Lavaux villages have public fountains on the municipal supply, safe to drink from unless signed otherwise, and there are cafés and wine cellars along the way. Between villages the terraces are hot and dry, so leave each one with a full bottle. Lausanne and Vevey have every kind of shop; Vevey's lakefront market square is the natural place to end the day.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Vevey, so book ahead, especially in summer. The Swiss Via Francigena association's list names Hôtel Abaca and Hôtel Astra (both association members), the Vevey Hotel & Guesthouse on the Grande Place, and a pilgrim welcome at the Tibetan study centre on Mont-Pèlerin above the town, with a campsite back at Cully; it also points to Vevey Montreux Tourisme for the rest. Switzerland is expensive, so the hostel and parish options fill first.
Sources: Wikipedia — Lausanne railway station · Wikipedia — Vevey railway station · Via Francigena Suisse — Hébergements sur la Via Francigena suisse (PDF) · Umweltcheck — Drinking fountains in Switzerland · Montreux Riviera — Via Francigena 070
Common questions
How long is the Lausanne to Vevey stage?
It is 22.0 km (13.7 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Lausanne to Vevey.
How hard is Lausanne to Vevey?
It is rated moderate with 350 m of ascent and 350 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Lausanne to Vevey stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Lausanne and away from Vevey?
Lausanne station is the hub: SBB InterCity, InterRegio and RegioExpress trains, RER Vaud, direct trains to Geneva Airport (IC 1, IR 15, IR 90) and the m2 metro down to Ouchy, where the lakeside walk begins. At the far end, Vevey is on the Simplon line with half-hourly InterRegio trains between Geneva Airport and Brig, RegioExpress services, and RER Vaud R3/R4 and R7. If you need to shorten the day, the Lavaux villages between the two towns have their own stations on the same line, so you can bail out or rejoin almost anywhere.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Vevey?
Our directory has no listing yet at Vevey, so book ahead, especially in summer. The Swiss Via Francigena association's list names Hôtel Abaca and Hôtel Astra (both association members), the Vevey Hotel & Guesthouse on the Grande Place, and a pilgrim welcome at the Tibetan study centre on Mont-Pèlerin above the town, with a campsite back at Cully; it also points to Vevey Montreux Tourisme for the rest. Switzerland is expensive, so the hostel and parish options fill first.
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.