(Great St. Bernard Pass m 2473)
The historic Via Francigena On Sigeric’s trails Total duration: 10 days Period: from August 30th to September 8th 2013 Type of trek: walking holiday with luggage transported Accommodation: Hotel, Guesthouse, Guest quarters, pilgrims’ hostel
Introduction Since 2004, the Council of Europe has recognized the Via Francigena, which the Archbishop of Canterbury Sigeric described as the “Great European cultural itinerary”. The Piedmont Region, since then, has granted its patronage, as far as the stretch of Piedmont is concerned, confirming the historical-cultural value of the route. In ancient times, the Via Francigena was covered by thousands of pilgrims animated by an authentic Christian faith, in search of the “heavenly home”. Nowadays, more and more people walk along this pilgrim’s path, as we do, not exclusively on spiritual grounds, but especially as a trek in stages to discover this strip of land of our beautiful country. The Via Francigena is not the usual trek. Those who will succeed, step by step, in grasping the
feelings and emotions conveyed by the landscapes, the historical evidence, the various villages, the encountering of people, will live this experience as a source of inner riches. Despite the inevitable difficulties, they will find the entire route interesting and pleasant. Trek difficulty level: average
Information about the journey Outward journey: Meeting at the Turin station of Porta Nuova at the departure platform of the train to Aosta, at 11.10 am. Departure of the train: 11.28 am, arrival: 1.28 pm. The timetable is approximate. The final schedule will be confirmed at the time of registration. Return journey: At … (multiple choices), private bus from Santhià. Estimated time of arrival: … (multiple choices). The final schedule will be confirmed at the time of registration.
Day by day
1st Day Type of stage: public transport Arrival in Aosta by train in the early afternoon. Hotel accommodation Visit to the Roman and Medieval town Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel
2nd Day Breakfast. Local bus transfer to the Great St. Bernard Pass. The trek starts from the so-called “Via delle Gallie”, the ancient Roman Gaul Consular Road carved in the rock. The route continues on high pastures surrounded by an astounding alpine scenery, till Saint Rhemy, an ancient Roman settlement. Proceeding along paths and mule tracks, we reach Saint Oyen, where we will spend the night in
the ancient and full of atmosphere “hospice” of Chateau Verdun, (48th Sigeric’s stage). - Packed lunch - Dinner Beginning altitude: 2473 m Arrival altitude: 1350 m Difference in uphill level: 150 m Difference in downhill level: 1100 m Stage length: 14 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 6h
3rd Day Breakfast. After having left Saint Oyen, we cross Etrouble, characterized by a series of wooden sculptures scattered along the narrow lanes of the historic center; then, we go on along comfortable dirt roads flanked by the “RU”, small irrigation canals bringing water down to the valley. As soon as we reach the great central valley, with wonderful views of the mountains towering above it, we keep on walking among nice villages, fields and vineyards, until we approach Aosta, where we will spend the night in the hotel in which we stayed on the first day of our trek. - Packed lunch - Dinner at the hotel Beginning altitude: 1350 m Arrival altitude: 583 m Difference in uphill level: 200 m Difference in downhill level: 750 m Stage length: 16 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 6h 30min
4th Day Breakfast. We leave Aosta, walking near the Arch of Augustus. Along the narrow streets on the left bank of the Dora Baltea river, we reach the hillside and walk around the imposing castle of Quart; from the castle, we take a path among woods and pastures. On the
opposite side, from a height of 3559 meters, stands the Mount Emilius. A little further we can see the contour of the characteristic castle of Fenis standing out in the distance. Walking among fields and vineyards, we reach Chambave, where the local “vignerons� produce an excellent DOC (registered designation of origin) white wine. Finally, a bus will take us to Chatillon (47TH Sigeric’s stage) - Packed lunch - Dinner at the hotel Beginning altitude: 583 m Arrival altitude: 558 m Difference in uphill level: 400 m Difference in downhill level: 200 m Stage length: 16 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 6h 15min
5th Day Breakfast. From the monumental church of Chatillon, in a short time we reach Saint Vincent. We shall visit the Romanesque church of St. Peter and the remains of the Roman bridge on the old road to Gaul. Walking up among woods and pastures, we get past the castle and the church of Saint Germain and meet a stretch of the Roman road again. It will lead us to the ancient village of Montjovet. This village was a fixed route for hundreds of years and the ideal place for control and tariff barriers. From here, a bus will take us to Verres. We shall visit the old town and the ancient collegiate church of St. Giles (XII century). Local bus to Arnad. - Packed lunch - Dinner at the hotel Beginning altitude: 550 m Arrival altitude: 391 m Difference in uphill level: 220 m Difference in downhill level: 200 m Stage length: 20 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 6h 30min
6th Day Breakfast. Before leaving, visit of the Romanesque Abbey of Arnad (XI century). We continue on our way to Bard, passing by its renowned fortress. We reach another stretch of the Roman Consular Road, built at the base of a rock face, then a milestone (XXXVI miles from Aosta) and an arch, not far from the village of Donnas. Walking up along the hillside among the vineyards, we get to Pont Saint Martin. The distinguishing feature of this town is its Roman bridge. For over two thousand years it has been the testimony of the passing by of a great number of different people, and also of the pilgrims walking along the Via Francigena. - Packed lunch - Dinner at the hostel Beginning altitude: 412 m Arrival altitude: 345 m Difference in uphill level: 250 m Difference in downhill level: 400 m Stage length: 14 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 5h 30min
7th Day Breakfast. From Pont Saint Martin, we walk towards Carema, a renowned place for its vineyards and for being a borderland with important historical vestiges. After a visit to them, we go on to Cesnola, walking among wonderful vineyards. Cesnola is placed at the centre of a terminal moraine, where the terrace cultivations on its slopes seem to wrap up the village. The next village we reach is Settimo Vittone. Visit of its Romanesque church of St. Lorenzo (XI century). After a walk on mule track slightly uphill, we arrive at the small Romanesque church of St. Giacomo (XII century). From here we walk down to the village of Montestrutto, where a local bus will take us to Ivrea. - Packed lunch - Dinner in a restaurant Beginning altitude: 345 m Arrival altitude: 260 m Difference in uphill level: 400 m
Difference in downhill level: 300 m Stage length: 13 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 5h
8th Day Breakfast. Local bus to Montestrutto. From here, we follow a path till San Germano, where we find peculiar natural caves called “Balmetti”, in which the local farmers preserve their products. When we leave the “Balmetti”, we get closer to the maximum expansion of the terminal moraine, whose boundaries are marked by the great sierra. We get past Borgofranco and Montalto Dora. This last is dominated by a medieval castle, under which we can see the Pistono lake. A dirt road leads us gently uphill till the Sirio lake, from which we soon reach Ivrea, the Roman Eporedia with its historical riches. - Packed lunch - Dinner in a restaurant Beginning altitude: 260 m Arrival altitude: 150 m Difference in uphill level: 100 m Difference in downhill level: 100 m Stage length: 11 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 5h 30min
9th Day Breakfast. After an interesting visit to the historic centre of Ivrea (45 th Sigeric’s stage), we catch a local bus to Palazzo Canavese and visit its old town. We take a dirt road among the woods of the moraine and its beautiful panoramic views, and after a while we start to walk down towards the village of Piverone, characterized by towers and medieval gates. Walking along a panoramic path among vineyards, we find two well-preserved remains of Romanesque churches and shortly we reach the lakefront of Viverone. From here, we go back to Ivrea by local bus. - Packed lunch
- Dinner in a restaurant Beginning altitude: 225 m Arrival altitude: 205 m Difference in uphill level: 250 m Difference in downhill level: 250 m Stage length: 15 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 5h 30min
10th Day Breakfast. Local bus to Viverone. Starting from the historic centre, we arrive to the ancient Shelter of Bertignano, where we can enjoy a spectacular view of the lake. We pass by the castle and the historic centre of Roppolo, in the direction of Cavaglià, walking along narrow roads among vineyards, meadows and woods. We reach the first houses of the village, gathered around the small church of San Rocco (XVII century). After Cavaglià, we keep on walking along secondary roads and comfortable dirt roads flanked with irrigation ditches, till Santhià. - Packed lunch Private bus transfer to Santhià, where we shall be welcomed by the local Association of the Via Francigena (44th Sigeric’s stage). Return to Turin by private bus Beginning altitude: 205 m Arrival altitude: 193 m Difference in uphill level: 400 m Difference in downhill level: 250 m Stage length: 14 km Actual hours of non-stop walking: 5h
What to bring Health insurance card (E-111) Identity Card Membership Cards Telescopic trekking poles Binoculars Bag with the necessary clothes for the trek Sun hat
Comfortable long trousers Barrier cream Gloves and hat in wool or fleece Rain cape Napkins (recommended synthetic) Shoes Cigarette lighter One liter flask/thermos flask Hiking socks Pocket knife Backpack rain cover Scarf/bandana Jacket in waterproof and breathable material Nutritional supplements Camera Technical t-shirts and underwear Personal medicines Beauty case Sunglasses Walking boots Thermal layers (one or more in fleece or other material) Backpack (30-40 liters)
To keep always with you Health insurance card (E-111) Identity card Membership cards Cigarette lighter One liter flask/thermos flask Hiking socks Pocket knife Backpack rain cover Whistle Scarf/bandana Jacket in waterproof and breathable material Nutritional supplements Camera Technical t-shirts and underwear Personal medicines Beauty case Sunglasses Walking boots Thermal layers (one or more in fleece or other material)
Backpack (30-40 liters)
Health There are no special precautions to follow. Each participant should provide for personal medicines and preventive treatment for the feet, as well as getting used to wearing boots. Upon registration, special needs, food allergies, diseases such as diabetes, should be declared.
The price includes: - Half board - Transfers during the trek - Round trip transfer (Beverages are not included and two breakfasts)
Notes on shares Membership is valid at the time of payment of a deposit of 30% and be in good standing with the membership, the balance must be paid 15 days prior to departure. Payment can be made by bank transfer to the account BNL Ag.6 13202 IBAN account IT40o0100501006000000013202 stating the reason for the name of the trek chosen the payment and send a fax or an email alert if the payment is done online, you can also pay during the days and during opening hours.
The proposal of the trek is organized in the following alternatives: A) 10 days: from the Great St. Bernard in Santhià: with 6 participants € 915,00; with 10 participants € 797,00 B) Six days: from the Great St. Bernard in Pont S. Martin: € 511,00 return train not included C) Four days: from Pont St. Martin in Santhià: € 371,00 train going Pont St. Martin not included
Head office organizer: Torino Tour leader: Giuseppe Pavarin Transport: local bus, private bus, train More information at: Trekking Italia site Contact: torino@trekkingitalia.org