Overview
The Via Jacobi, Jacobsweg or Way of Saint James is part of the European network of Caminos all eventually leading to Santiago de Compostelo, although Switzerland has wrapped up its section beautifully into a chocolate box version of heavenly bites. This section is from the Fribourg town of Romont to Geneva, finishing, after a week of self-guided walking at Lake Geneva. In between, this heavenly journey includes the River Broye, Freiburger Alps, castles and vineyards, as well as the elegant city of Lausanne located on a terrace high above Lake Geneva (also known as Lac Léman).
- Château de Coppet
- St. Pierre Cathedral
- Vitromusée Romont – Swiss stained glass museum
- Jet D’eau
Click to view map
*This map is only for general reference; detailed route maps will be provided in your pre-departure package.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Romont
Your tour starts in Romont, home to the Swiss Museum of Stained Glass and Glass Art.
- Accommodation: Hotel le Lion d’Or or similar
Day 2: Romont – Moudon | 15km
As you leave Romont, you will quickly cross the border between the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud via a path along the ridge, with a delightfully clear view on both sides. After the descent to Curtilles, the route follows a path along the River Broye. The parish church in Moudon and its precious stalls are well worth the visit.
- Walking for the day: 15km, ↑180m ↓440m, Duration: approx. 3.5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Chemin de Fer or similar
Day 3: Moudon – Lausanne | 29km
Walk along the River Broye to Bressonnaz, an area with bridges crossing both the Broye and the Carrouge. The trail to Vucherens has open views of the Freiburger Alps and the forested Jorat region.
Lausanne is known for its unique museums and Gothic Old Town. The lakeside areas of Ouchy and Flon, with re-imagined warehouses, reflect Lausanne’s hip, urban culture and have a great food scene.
- Walking for the day: 29km, ↑740m ↓720m, Duration: approx. 7.5h
- Accommodation: Agora Swiss Night or similar
Day 4: Lausanne – Rolle | 31km
In Lausanne, the Way of St James leads from Notre Dame Cathedral down the Escaliers du Marché. In Vidy, it crosses an idyllic park with Roman ruins and then follows the popular lakeside promenade along Lac Léman to Morges.
- Walking for the day: 31km, ↑ 280m ↓ 420m, Duration: approx. 7.5h
- Accommodation: Au Bonheur des Iris or similar
Day 5: Rolle – Coppet / Commugny | 29km
Don’t miss the chance to visit the famous Château de Coppet. Former home of Jacques Necker, Louis XVI’s banker and Minister of Finance, before it was handed down to his daughter, Madame de Staël, after she was exiled from Paris by Napoleon. It remains the little town of Coppet’s crowning glory. You can tour the rooms, sumptuously furnished in Louis XVI style, where de Staël entertained the likes of Edward Gibbon and Lord Byron.
- Walking for the day: 29km, ↑400m ↓360m, Duration: approx. 7h
- Accommodation: Motel le Leman or similar
Day 6: Coppet / Commugny – Geneva | 17km
This hike leads through villages with a French ambience to cosmopolitan Geneva. Your Romont to Geneva walking holiday comes to an end with a visit to the impressive Saint Pierre Cathedral. One magnificent stained glass window depicts Saint James wearing a purple cloak trimmed with ermine.
- Walking for the day: 17km, ↑200m ↓240m, Duration: approx. 4.5h
- Accommodation: Les Nations or similar
Day 7: Departure
Return home or extend your stay.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Show our default hotels for this trip
- Hotel le Lion d’Or, Hotel Chemin de Fer, Agora Swiss Night, Au Bonheur des Iris, Motel le Leman, Les Nations
*Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a b&b basis. Picnic lunches are optional at an extra charge and can be ordered locally. You can have dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
This moderate hiking tour leads mostly on comfortable forest trails (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from mid-March until mid-October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. The best time for walking the Via Jacobi is between June and mid-September when the wildflowers are in bloom, and the weather is generally good. Earlier in the season, there may be some residual snow patches, but this will not require any special equipment or skills.
Getting there
Inclusions
Included
- 6 overnights with breakfast as detailed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfer when changing hotels (one piece of luggage per person, max 20kg)
- Detailed route notes (one per room) and GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- Extra charges may be applicable for last-minute bookings for this specific tour
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Romont and Geneva are available upon request
Gallery
