Highlights
- Alpine meadows
- Bourg-Saint-Pierre village
- Historic pilgrim hospice
Stage conditions
| Section | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Moderate |
| Shade | Partial |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Orsières is the terminus of the Martigny–Orsières line: train from Martigny with a change at Sembrancher, hourly or half-hourly. There is no railway beyond, but the Pays du Saint-Bernard says you take the bus from Orsières up the valley, with stops at Liddes and Bourg-Saint-Pierre and, in summer, on to the Great St Bernard pass; timetables are on the SBB planner. The hospice also notes a TMR bus between Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Bernard at the tunnel mouth, and the tourist office sells Martigny–Aosta tickets for the through-tunnel route.
What the season does
Best months are June to September. This is the steepest stage on the whole route, 921 m of ascent in 14 km, climbing from 894 m to 1,642 m, and the top of the day is alpine: shade is only partial and the stage warns that mountain weather can change rapidly. Snow can lie on the upper paths into June and return in September. Outside the road season the hospice above is a ski or snowshoe route, so if you are here in May or October, check the pass before committing to tomorrow.
Safety on this stage
The stage notes warn of rapidly changing mountain weather and limited services between villages. The path climbs through forest above the Dranse, crossing the torrent twice, then rises steeply past Liddes; carry a waterproof and warm layer even in August, and use poles. Afternoon storms are common, so leave Orsières early. Where the route joins the Great St Bernard road, traffic is fast. Bourg-Saint-Pierre is the last village, and your last chance to turn back to the tunnel bus if conditions are bad.
Water and food
Water is marked moderate, the first Swiss stage not marked abundant. Orsières has shops for the start; Liddes, roughly halfway, has a bus stop, food shops and a tourist office, and public fountains on the municipal supply in both villages, safe unless signed otherwise. Between them the path is forest and pasture with no services, so carry at least a litre from each village. Bourg-Saint-Pierre has a shop and information point at the Napoléon service station.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Bourg-Saint-Pierre, but the village has served pilgrims for a thousand years and the choice is real. Maison St-Pierre, a gîte in an old farmhouse at Rue de l'Église 10, takes Via Francigena pilgrims in dormitories and rooms and is booked at maisonstpierre.ch. The Swiss association's list adds the Hôtel du Crêt as a pilgrim-rate address, Auberge Les Charmettes, the Hôtel and Motel Bivouac Napoléon, a BnB and the Camping du Grand-St-Bernard, with the Hôtel du Grand-Saint-Bernard at Liddes if you stop short.
Sources: Wikipedia — Orsières railway station · Pays du Saint-Bernard — Location and access · Pays du Saint-Bernard — Via Francigena Orsières – Bourg-St-Pierre · Hospice du Grand-Saint-Bernard — Staying at the pass · Pays du Saint-Bernard — Maison St-Pierre · Via Francigena Suisse — Hébergements sur la Via Francigena suisse (PDF) · Umweltcheck — Drinking fountains in Switzerland
Common questions
How long is the Orsieres to Bourg-Saint-Pierre stage?
It is 14.0 km (8.7 mi) and takes about 4.5 hours of walking, from Orsieres to Bourg-Saint-Pierre.
How hard is Orsieres to Bourg-Saint-Pierre?
It is rated moderate with 650 m of ascent and 80 m of descent over mountain terrain.
Is there water on the Orsieres to Bourg-Saint-Pierre stage?
There is a moderate amount of water along this stage — carry enough between resupply points.
How do I get to Orsieres and away from Bourg-Saint-Pierre?
Orsières is the terminus of the Martigny–Orsières line: train from Martigny with a change at Sembrancher, hourly or half-hourly. There is no railway beyond, but the Pays du Saint-Bernard says you take the bus from Orsières up the valley, with stops at Liddes and Bourg-Saint-Pierre and, in summer, on to the Great St Bernard pass; timetables are on the SBB planner. The hospice also notes a TMR bus between Martigny and Bourg-Saint-Bernard at the tunnel mouth, and the tourist office sells Martigny–Aosta tickets for the through-tunnel route.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Bourg-Saint-Pierre?
Our directory has no listing yet at Bourg-Saint-Pierre, but the village has served pilgrims for a thousand years and the choice is real. Maison St-Pierre, a gîte in an old farmhouse at Rue de l'Église 10, takes Via Francigena pilgrims in dormitories and rooms and is booked at maisonstpierre.ch. The Swiss association's list adds the Hôtel du Crêt as a pilgrim-rate address, Auberge Les Charmettes, the Hôtel and Motel Bivouac Napoléon, a BnB and the Camping du Grand-St-Bernard, with the Hôtel du Grand-Saint-Bernard at Liddes if you stop short.
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.