Via Gebennensis

In short: Via Gebennensis: from Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay. Length: around 350 km, duration: about 2 weeks. Best time: May to October.

Overview

The Via Gebennensis links Geneva with Le Puy-en-Velay, closing the gap between the Swiss Way of St James and the Via Podiensis. If you walk from Lake Constance towards Santiago, you will come through here.

It runs for around 350 kilometres through Savoy and the Rhône-Alpes region. The first stages from Geneva are quite manageable, and later the route crosses Mont Pilat into the Velay highlands.

Fewer people walk this route than the Via Podiensis, but the network of gîtes is sufficient. Reserve in good time for the last stages.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 347 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 90 to 120 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 21 days that comes to roughly 1,900 to 2,500 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Switzerland, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.