Via Alpina Red R116 vs Via Francigena
A side-by-side look at distance, elevation, difficulty and the best time to hike each — so you can pick the right route.
Units
| Via Alpina Red R116 | Via Francigena | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 7.3 mi12 km | 126 mi203 km |
| Elevation gain | 3,238 ft987 m | 11,070 ft3,374 m |
| Typical duration | 1 day | 9 days |
| Difficulty | — | — |
| Route type | Point-to-point | Point-to-point |
| Network | International | International |
| Country | Switzerland | Switzerland |
| Best time to hike | Best from August to August | Best from June to August |
| Route & GPX | Route & GPX |
Via Alpina Red R116 vs Via Francigena: which should you hike?
At 126 mi203 km, Via Francigena is the longer route — roughly 119 mi192 km more than Via Alpina Red R116 (7.3 mi12 km). If you want the bigger challenge or a longer trip, that's the one; for a shorter or first multi-day hike, Via Alpina Red R116 is the gentler pick. Check the elevation and best-season rows above, then open each route for the full guide and a free GPX download.