Hi Caminka - thank you very much, I'm very interested in this route. I don't mind some steep climbing or some steep descents but the last walk I did it was every day and that wears on you. I did the Norte - first 10 days were tough same with the Via Pondiensa but then you got some flat days . I would like a fun walk -some challenge but not where I'm dreading the next day or stressed thatI can't make the climb...can you add any more info on how hard? I know it's subjective
Sure.
I don't mind steep climbs either, especially if they come with nice views. There was daily climbing and descending, but nothing mountain-like, and perfectly doable for a reasonably fit person. Overall, I liked VJ for the scenery, the greenness, views and waterfalls, the cleanliness and toilets. Not that many medieval gems, though there were some. I didn't expect and was not enamored with so much asphalt. For that reason, I wouldn't walk it again, certainly not the whole of it. Best part was from Rapperswil to Frieburg.
If you start at Bodensee, you start climbing right away. There is a steepish section but it's not too long. Another shortish steep down and up before St. Gallen. I took different route into St. Gallen through woods. Limited views on first day. Pilgerherberge.
After St. Gallens suburbs up to lake then to Herisau. Long but good climb out of Herisau on paths to panoramic ridges to Aemisegg with BB with small attic dorm.
From here to Bodenwies you cross several steep valleys, two big ones with St. Peterzell and Watwil and several smaller ones. Then it's mostly road walk to St. Gallenkappel. Nice straw lodging.
Flatish to Rapperswil with very nice pilgerherberge.
After lake long steep climb to St. Meinrad then mostly down to Einsiedeln. I detoured via lake then continued to Trachslau to even out the stages. Pilgrim homestay. In good weather superb views.
Flat start then beautiful climb to Hagenegg, with one short nearlt vertical section. Magnificent views. Very steep descent which I avoided by taking longer gravel road (on advice of Rapperswil's hospitalera). From Scwyz mostly flat and asphalt to Ingebohl/Brunnen. Nice straw lodging. In nice weather go to the lake for views.
Short lake crossing then good panoramic climb. In woods I detoured steep down to waterfalls and lake then along lake (mostly) to join VJ. Long flat asphalt section along then away from the lake then up into hills. I short-cutted down on paths to straw lodging outside Stans.
Good mixture of up and down paths and roads, but nothing too strenuous and good views. Short steep down to Bruder Klaus cell and chapels then up to Flueli-Ranft. Lovely down to lake then flat to Giswil. Homestay in my own appart and was lucky to find a bed (was probably a weekend).
Flat start (I detoured to avoid asphalt), steepish climb to lake, VJ flat along lake (I detoured on up and down paths on other side of lake), alternative route up to chapel (VJ was closed here due to landslide), flat, then up to Brunigpass. Nice views all along. After detour to a very fine viewpoint, steepish descent to Brienzwiller. My favourite pilgerherberge.
Down to lake, then I detoured along south side of lake via waterfalls, but was told that VJ was very up and down. Hostel with pilgrim rate in Interlaken. I had some very nice views.
Because it was national holiday and everything in 40km range was full, I had to take the train to Spiez and start from there. Good ups and downs with good views, especially back to Eiger, Monsch and Jungfrau. One insane short vertical. Nice pilgrim homestay in Uebeschli.
Flattish to Wattenwill, vertical climb out of it, then you are good to Riggisberg. Up to Rueggisberg then good ups and downs into Schwarzenburg, with two shortish steepish climbs and one fence-climbing. Still nice views. Another nice pilgrim homestay.
Ups and downs but all good, then steep descent to river and steep climb to Frieburg. Pilgerherberge in monastery. Worth a rest day.
Long asphalt day across rolling hills to Romont. Pilgrim homestay.
Up the steep down, then flat through Moudon. Rolling hills and steep short descent then climb to Montepreveyres. Long day. Nice gite d'etape.
VJ to Lausanne has been rerouted. I took the old route which was across rolling hills, mostly in shade, then down to Lausanne. Flat along lake Leman to St. Sulpice. Very nice pilgrim homestay.
Very cool along lake past Morges (peek at Mont Blanc if you are lucky) then rolling hills above lake to Gland. Long day. Nice pilgrim gite d'etape.
Rolling hills above lake, mostly on roads. I took the train from Versoix back to Gland because the few pilgrim homestays were full. I also detoured to lake via Coppet. Long day.
The route was well made through Geneve's agglomeration but it was still mostly asphalt. Geneva hostel in Paquis on the way and close to the lake into centre was a nice surprise.
If you are starting from Konstanz, you have mostly flat first two days to Marstetten (pilgerherberge) and Fishingen (monastery with dorms). Third day starts gently then steep long climb to Hornli with far-reaching views. Steep descent to valley then mostly down into Rapperswil. Good mixture of off-road and road walking.
You can also check my wikiloc tracks, I go by caminka there too. All VJ tracks start with camino2023.
