Highlights
- Dranse Valley
- Alpine villages
- Mountain panoramas
Stage conditions
| Section | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Martigny is on the Simplon line (half-hourly InterRegio between Geneva Airport and Brig) and the start of the Martigny–Orsières line. Orsières, the end of this stage, is that line's southern terminus, 19.3 km from Martigny, with hourly or half-hourly Regio trains to Sembrancher run by RegionAlps; the Pays du Saint-Bernard tells you to take the Simplon line to Martigny and then the train to Orsières, changing at Sembrancher, and to plan on the SBB journey planner. From Orsières, buses continue to Bourg-Saint-Pierre and, in summer, to the pass and Aosta.
What the season does
Best months are June to September, and the window tightens from here. The Dranse valley is marked full shade and abundant water, so the day itself is not seasonal, but you are now committed to the pass two days on: the hospice says its road opens early June to mid-October depending on snow, the Confraternity describes the pass as a winter mountain route outside that season, and the stage data lists July to September for the crossing. If you arrive in Orsières early or late in the year, check conditions here.
Safety on this stage
A steady 785 m of ascent up a narrowing valley, which the stage warns is uphill throughout. The path climbs on forest tracks and lanes above the Dranse with some rocky sections; poles help. Mountain weather starts to matter: afternoon storms build over the Combin massif in summer, so start early. Where the route touches the Great St Bernard road, traffic is fast. If the pass is closed or you are unwell, Orsières is the place to decide, with the tunnel bus from here.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant. Martigny, Bovernier, Sembrancher and Orsières all have public fountains on the municipal supply, safe unless signed otherwise, and Sembrancher has a café at the station. The forest sections between villages have no services, and the valley is steep, so leave each village with a full bottle. Orsières has shops and is the last full-sized village before the pass; buy tomorrow's food here if you are heading straight up.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Orsières. The Entremont parishes run a six-bed pilgrim gîte, the Gîte Accueil St-Bernard, beside the church and parish house on Place de l'Église, booked through gite-orsieres.ch, where free dates are shown; reserving is strongly advised. The Swiss association's list adds Hôtel Terminus by the station, Hôtel de l'Union, the BnB Gîte le Catogne at La Douay and L'Appart 1564, with a pilgrim gîte back at Sembrancher. Carry your credential for the gîte.
Sources: Wikipedia — Martigny railway station · Wikipedia — Orsières railway station · Pays du Saint-Bernard — Location and access · Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard — Staying at the pass · Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome — Guide to crossing the Great St Bernard Pass · Paroisses de l'Entremont — Via Francigena · Via Francigena Suisse — Hébergements sur la Via Francigena suisse (PDF) · Umweltcheck — Drinking fountains in Switzerland
Common questions
How long is the Martigny to Orsieres stage?
It is 20.0 km (12.4 mi) and takes about 5.5 hours of walking, from Martigny to Orsieres.
How hard is Martigny to Orsieres?
It is rated moderate with 500 m of ascent and 120 m of descent over mountain terrain.
Is there water on the Martigny to Orsieres stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Martigny and away from Orsieres?
Martigny is on the Simplon line (half-hourly InterRegio between Geneva Airport and Brig) and the start of the Martigny–Orsières line. Orsières, the end of this stage, is that line's southern terminus, 19.3 km from Martigny, with hourly or half-hourly Regio trains to Sembrancher run by RegionAlps; the Pays du Saint-Bernard tells you to take the Simplon line to Martigny and then the train to Orsières, changing at Sembrancher, and to plan on the SBB journey planner. From Orsières, buses continue to Bourg-Saint-Pierre and, in summer, to the pass and Aosta.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Orsieres?
Our directory has no listing yet at Orsières. The Entremont parishes run a six-bed pilgrim gîte, the Gîte Accueil St-Bernard, beside the church and parish house on Place de l'Église, booked through gite-orsieres.ch, where free dates are shown; reserving is strongly advised. The Swiss association's list adds Hôtel Terminus by the station, Hôtel de l'Union, the BnB Gîte le Catogne at La Douay and L'Appart 1564, with a pilgrim gîte back at Sembrancher.
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.