Highlights
- Roman bridge of Pont-Saint-Martin
- Bard Fortress
- Lower Aosta Valley
Stage conditions
| Section | Aosta Valley (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Water on route | Abundant |
| Shade | Full |
Practical notes
Getting there and away
Verrès and Pont-Saint-Martin both have stations on the Chivasso–Ivrea–Aosta line, and Pont-Saint-Martin is one of the busiest in the region; but the Ivrea–Aosta section is closed for electrification and planned to reopen in stages from January 2027, with Ivrea–Pont-Saint-Martin the first section due back. Until then, Arriva line 110 runs along the valley between Aosta and Pont-Saint-Martin via Verrès, and the rail-replacement bus links the towns with Ivrea. Arriva's booked coaches to Turin, Milan and Malpensa also serve the lower valley.
What the season does
Best months are April to October. This is the shortest stage in the valley, 14 km and graded easy, marked full shade and abundant water, and it ends at only 314 m, so it is comfortable in every listed month. Spring and autumn are the pleasantest; summer is warm in the narrow gorge at Bard but the day is short. The lower valley is the first place on the Italian side where winter walking is realistic, though the days are short.
Safety on this stage
An easy 14 km with 241 m of ascent. The valley pinches at Bard, where the fortress fills the gorge and the SS26, the motorway and the railway squeeze past; keep to the marked path and cross the road with care. The paved Roman stretch near Donnas is smooth and slippery when wet. Nothing here is technical, and Pont-Saint-Martin is a small town with an easy arrival across its Roman bridge.
Water and food
Water is marked abundant, and the source stage page confirms fountains in every village and along the route: Arnad, Hône, Bard and Donnas all have them, and Arnad and Donnas have bars and shops. Verrès has shops for the start and Pont-Saint-Martin has everything. This is not a day to carry more than one bottle; refill at each fountain.
Where pilgrims sleep
Our directory has no listing yet at Pont-Saint-Martin. The source stage page lists the Foresteria Saint Martin, a pilgrim guesthouse, as the town's pilgrim address; carry your credential and call ahead. Pont-Saint-Martin also has hotels and B&Bs, and the accommodation page on this site notes that from here south you are rarely more than a stage from an ostello. If you arrive early, Ivrea is a short bus ride on and has a hostel on the river.
Sources: Regione Valle d'Aosta — Elettrificazione Aosta – Ivrea · Regione Valle d'Aosta — Linea Aosta-Ivrea, lavori in fase conclusiva (2026) · Wikipedia (it) — Stazione di Pont-Saint-Martin · Arriva Italia — Valle d'Aosta by bus · Arriva Italia — Courmayeur – Aosta – Milano · Camminando sulla Via Francigena — IT05 Verrès – Pont-Saint-Martin
Common questions
How long is the Verres to Pont-Saint-Martin stage?
It is 14.0 km (8.7 mi) and takes about 3.5 hours of walking, from Verres to Pont-Saint-Martin.
How hard is Verres to Pont-Saint-Martin?
It is rated easy with 80 m of ascent and 150 m of descent over mixed terrain.
Is there water on the Verres to Pont-Saint-Martin stage?
Water is abundant along this stage.
How do I get to Verres and away from Pont-Saint-Martin?
Verrès and Pont-Saint-Martin both have stations on the Chivasso–Ivrea–Aosta line, and Pont-Saint-Martin is one of the busiest in the region; but the Ivrea–Aosta section is closed for electrification and planned to reopen in stages from January 2027, with Ivrea–Pont-Saint-Martin the first section due back. Until then, Arriva line 110 runs along the valley between Aosta and Pont-Saint-Martin via Verrès, and the rail-replacement bus links the towns with Ivrea. Arriva's booked coaches to Turin, Milan and Malpensa also serve the lower valley.
Where do pilgrims sleep in Pont-Saint-Martin?
Our directory has no listing yet at Pont-Saint-Martin. The source stage page lists the Foresteria Saint Martin, a pilgrim guesthouse, as the town's pilgrim address; carry your credential and call ahead. Pont-Saint-Martin also has hotels and B&Bs, and the accommodation page on this site notes that from here south you are rarely more than a stage from an ostello.
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.