Via Francigena Camino Switzerland – Gran San Bernardo Pass to Ivrea – 9 days

DISTANCE - AVERAGE

Distance training is undoubtedly a consideration in your overall training program, so take every opportunity you can to walk. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan. Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 21km in a single day. Additionally, also include back-to-back walks to simulate walking on consecutive days. This helps your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - ABOVE AVERAGE

Elevation training is a major consideration in your overall training program. You must include walks with serious hill climbs. If you do not have access to hills, it it essential to replicate the elevation level you will be undertaking in any way possible via a treadmill or stair climber. Prioritising resistance training assumes heightened significance in this context, emphasising the incorporation of stair climbing whenever feasible. Walking up and down stairs at work, at a local oval with a grandstand, or up and down small hills, boring as that sounds, is incredibly useful. Elevation is the chief walk killer, not distance, as it uses an entirely different set of muscles. If high altitude is a factor, incorporate sessions at a higher altitude to acclimatise your body to reduced oxygen levels (this may not be possible). Ensure you can comfortably walk the average elevation per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

UNEVEN TERRAIN:

UNEVEN TERRAIN:

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a nuanced blend of physical and mental readiness. Commence your regimen with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a foundational groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is pivotal, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups to enhance both stability and power. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement. The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

Going to Gran San Bernardo Pass

The main international airport to fly into is Geneva Airport that is served by most of national and low-cost airlines. From there you can take the train and bus to Gran San Bernardo Pass (from other airports you should take a bus or a taxi to get to the city centre train station and then the bus to Gran San Bernardo Pass).

There are two services to get the connection from Geneva to Gran San Bernardo Pass.
The first one is worked by TPG (Transport Publics Genevois) to be checked at this website tpg.hafas.de/hafas/tp/query.exe/en?.
The other service works in more cities, for detailed information you could check the Swiss train company “SBB CFF FFS” at this website fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en or call the 24h assistance at (0041).090.030.03.00 .
In any case, if you travel from Geneva airport or Milan Centrale station you will need to change at Martigny, then head to Gran San Bernardo Pass. If coming from Turin (Torino Porta Nuovo station) you will change in Aosta.

Going away from Ivrea

From your last destination, you could get a train to reach the closest airports in Turin or Milan going to their main train stations: Torino Porta Nuova and Milano Centrale and then taking a transfer to their airports.

For detailed information you could check the Swiss train company “SBB CFF FFS” at this website fahrplan.sbb.ch/bin/query.exe/en or call the 24h assistance at (0041).090.030.03.00.
In alternative you can reach Aosta using the SBB service or the line “Aosta – Ivrea” of the “Vita Group” buses (the website is just in Italian, you find the pdf timetables at this link www.vitagroup.it/datapage.asp?id=3&l=1 or check for telephone and e-mails in this page www.vitagroup.it/datapage.asp?id=5&l=1).
Then take a train to Turin or Milan, you can check on the website www.trenitalia.it

LUGGAGE TRANSFERS

Luggage transfer is included in your package and is normally provided by the accommodation itself.
Please clearly mark all your belongings with your name and put a small note with the name of the next accommodation in order to indicate where the bags should go next (check your accommodation list). Also ask the accommodation owner where the bags should be left in the morning. Labelling your belongings prevents mix ups, delays and loss.
Bags should be ready and at the reception or store room by 9:00 hrs.
If you are unable to walk, you can always ask, if the luggage transporter can take you with him when transporting your baggage, but this is not always possible and sometimes you have to pay a small fee locally. In some countries there are special insurances for transporting peoples and sometimes the car is not suited for transporting persons.
When you travel with public transport you always take your luggage with you unless specified differently.

AVAILABILITY

We offer this walk from April to October, as it can get quite cold in the depths of winter, and many accommodations close their doors as well at this time.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

You must have purchased travel insurance for all trips requiring international travel, including medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred by our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

INFORMATION PACK

For over 30 years, we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know you’ll have many more questions even with that in mind. You will receive a detailed information pack and itinerary approximately six weeks before departure outlining all the fine details and much more.

CONTACT

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants, or if you have specific track-related questions if we can’t answer them, we can also ask our staff who have walked the track. You can contact us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.

.