Albergue in Canfranc is closed

[Simsim]

Today I am really surprised and shocked (I posted an comment at Gronze), that the Albergue in Canfranc is closed one month before the official date. No warning in Gronze, no information at the pilgrims office in Canfranc Estation. It's hard, because I spent 2 nights outside, crossing the Somport with the helpful Álvaros Videos. I think that a good number of other pilgrims will come after, in October. I'm very thankful for the work oall these volunteers and I understand that it was surely boring in the last two weeks, after the damages in the French side which blocked the pilgrims. But now its possible to pass, and the very important Albergue is closed, and in Gronze it's listed as open (today, 30. September).

 

[SioCamino]

I suspect it wasn't a case that manning the albergue was boring for the hospitaleros!!! They are not the people who decide whether or not an albergue operates (though the operation of albergues depend on them).
Buen camino

 

[HansuutTwente]

dat zou heel goed mogelijk zijn,
de route van de col de Somport is gesloten dus er kunnen geen pelgrims meer langs komen

[Google translate:
that would be quite possible,
the route of the col de Somport is closed so no more pilgrims can pass by]

 

[davejsy]

That is certainly a shame for you after what sounds like a couple of days of outside living. It is unfortunate that the closure hasn't been publicised if that is the case, but I guess it's understandable that it is actually closed given the recent problems cutting off the route to pilgrims.

I hope you have managed to find some alternative accommodation and a warm shower which hopefully shouldn't be a problem for you on a Monday in Jaca.

 

[J Willhaus]

I believe that @Flog mentioned this closure in passing in an earlier thread. Villanua is not much further and should have accomodation.

 

[AlanSykes]

I stayed in Villanúa in 2019 before the albergue in Canfranc pueblo had opened. Very comfortable, and also meant that I was able to get to the wonderful diocesan museum in Jaca an hour earlier the next day, before Sunday closing. Spectacular romanesque frescoes. This is St Luke's bull, having some problems holding his contribution to the gospels between cloven hooves.

 

[Simsim]

I'm a low budget pilgrim and there's no other option for me than to continue to sleep outside. Much too far until Jaca today. But my deception is not only about my personal situation. I don't understand, that the association that runs the albergue didn't give the information to Gronze and to the pilgrims office in Canfranc Estation. The albergues at the French side are open, and they recommend the albergue in Canfranc for sure. They also need to know about. It's sad that this five star Donativo Albergue is closed for so many months. There's no explanation at the door. Only a little paper that wishes a buen Camino.

 

[AML]

Thats disappointing, was hoping to stay here next week!
Although @Flog did mention in another thread that it may be closing early this year.
Looks like 2 nights in Jaca then

 

[Simsim]

My intention was not really to complain, but to give the information. And I also hope that someone of the US Association reads my posts and react by spreading the news to Gronze etc.
Excuse my bad English.

 

[LTfit]

My intention was not really to complain, but to give the information. And I also hope that someone of the US Association reads my posts and react by spreading the news to Gronze etc.
Excuse my bad English.

The US Pilgrim's association has nothing to do with the donativo albergue in Canfranc and would therefore not be responsible for letting Gronze know about the early closure. The albergue is run by FICS and our forum member @Rebekah Scott is the coordinator of volunteer hospitaler@s for the albergue. Maybe she can shed some light on the situation.

 

[Kirkie]

My intention was not really to complain, but to give the information. And I also hope that someone of the US Association reads my posts and react by spreading the news to Gronze etc.
Excuse my bad English.

Don't you worry or apologise for your English! Your message is clear.

 

[HARMINIA]

I believe that @Flog mentioned this closure in passing in an earlier thread. Villanua is not much further and should have accomodation.

And Canfranc-estation Albergue is open.

 

[JCLima]

On Gronze.com, the albergue in Canfranc shows as being open from 16 of april to 28 of september.
Maybe they just updated it?

 

[Simsim]

And Canfranc-estation Albergue is open.

There are a lot of expensive otions open....

 

[Simsim]

On Gronze.com, the albergue in Canfranc shows as being open from 16 of april to 28 of september.
Maybe they just updated it?

Oh, indeed, that must be an update in the last hours. Very good to know.

 

[Simsim]

The US Pilgrim's association has nothing to do with the donativo albergue in Canfranc and would therefore not be responsible for letting Gronze know about the early closure. The albergue is run by FICS and our forum member @Rebekah Scott is the coordinator of volunteer hospitaler@s for the albergue. Maybe she can shed some light on the situation.

OK! I was wrong about that.
In any case it seems that Gronze changed the date in the last hours. But it does not change the sadness about a very good, but closed albergue, so early in the year.

 

[SabsP]

OK! I was wrong about that.
In any case it seems that Gronze changed the date in the last hours. But it does not change the sadness about a very good, but closed albergue, so early in the year.

I do hope you find a decent alternative? You mentioned sleeping outside. Do you have a tent or do you look for sheltered places?

 

[Simsim]

I do hope you find a decent alternative? You mentioned sleeping outside. Do you have a tent or do you look for sheltered places?

I'm walking since 15 years (not the whole year, but 3-4 month all year) always with my tent. Yes, for this evening I found a place in the forest, near to Villanua. It's OK, the weather is fine .

 

[Monasp]

Je suis un pèlerin à petit budget et je n'ai pas d'autre choix que de continuer à dormir dehors. C'est beaucoup trop loin jusqu'à Jaca aujourd'hui. Mais ma déception ne concerne pas seulement ma situation personnelle. Je ne comprends pas que l'association qui gère l'auberge n'ait pas donné l'information à Gronze et au bureau des pèlerins de l'Estación de Canfranc. Les auberges du côté français sont ouvertes et ils recommandent certainement l'auberge de Canfranc. Ils doivent aussi le savoir. C'est triste que cette auberge Donativo cinq étoiles soit fermée depuis tant de mois. Il n'y a aucune explication à la porte. Juste un petit papier qui souhaite un bon Camino.

La fédération française de randonnée pédestre a fermé officiellement Chemin de Saint Jacques à partir d'Oloron jusqu'à nouvel ordre. Donc pas d'arrivée de pèlerins de prévu. Si vous êtes quand-même passé c'est que vous avez bravé l'interdit......

 

[Tincatinker]

Godgle translation: The French hiking federation has officially closed Chemin de Saint Jacques from Oloron until further notice. So no arrival of pilgrims planned. If you still passed, it's because you braved the interdiction

 

[davejsy]

I'm walking since 15 years (not the whole year, but 3-4 month all year) always with my tent. Yes, for this evening I found a place in the forest, near to Villanua. It's OK, the weather is fine .

I hope you have a pleasant night in your chosen spot and the rest of your Camino is smoother. Buen Camino

 

[Simsim]

Godgle translation: The French hiking federation has officially closed Chemin de Saint Jacques from Oloron until further notice. So no arrival of pilgrims planned. If you still passed, it's because you braved the interdiction

There's no sign of interdiction anywhere. And it's not forbidden to walk on the road. A lot of locals do the same. The Camino path is impossible to walk at the moment, in any case. In some parts the path don't exist anymore. But can walk up to the Somport on the road and at the place where the road is cutter, you can follow a 500 m long alternative way.

 

[Simsim]

La fédération française de randonnée pédestre a fermé officiellement Chemin de Saint Jacques à partir d'Oloron jusqu'à nouvel ordre. Donc pas d'arrivée de pèlerins de prévu. Si vous êtes quand-même passé c'est que vous avez bravé l'interdit......

Il n'y a aucun signe d'interdiction quelque part, et personne sur tout l'itinéraire jusqu'au col à dit quelque chose, donc on ne peut rien braver. J'ai même vue des gendarmes, qui m'ont fait un sourire.
Il est en tout cas impossible d'emprunter le sentier balisé. Il faut marcher sur la route, ce qui n'est pas interdit.

 

[Simsim]

I hope you have a pleasant night in your chosen spot and the rest of your Camino is smoother. Buen Camino

Thank you !

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

I'm a low budget pilgrim and there's no other option for me than to continue to sleep outside. Much too far until Jaca today. But my deception is not only about my personal situation. I don't understand, that the association that runs the albergue didn't give the information to Gronze and to the pilgrims office in Canfranc Estation. The albergues at the French side are open, and they recommend the albergue in Canfranc for sure. They also need to know about. It's sad that this five star Donativo Albergue is closed for so many months. There's no explanation at the door. Only a little paper that wishes a buen Camino.

It is not surprising that more and more ‘donativo’ hostels are closing, it is the pilgrims themselves who are to blame and donativo translated with free of charge and believe they can/must walk the Camino at the expense of others.

 

[Tortilla]

Is this thread about the albergue where the hospitaleros were told to watch which direction the pilgrims were coming from?
That's hilarious I told you not to go there. It is in the middle of nowhere

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/albergue-elias-valina-in-canfranc-open-april-16-2024.86124/post-1294808

 

[LTfit]

It is not surprising that more and more ‘donativo’ hostels are closing, it is the pilgrims themselves who are to blame and donativo translated with free of charge and believe they can/must walk the Camino at the expense of others.

The early closing has nothing to do with this issue, let's not jump to conclusions. Due to dangerous weather conditions the Camino became impassible.

 

[Kathar1na]

It is not surprising that more and more ‘donativo’ hostels are closing, it is the pilgrims themselves who are to blame and donativo translated with free of charge and believe they can/must walk the Camino at the expense of others.

The donativo albergue in Canfranc is not closing for good. They closed a month earlier than foreseen, on 28 September 2024 instead of 30 October 2024. This has apparently been decided because of the mudslides on the French side of the Somport pass due to recent bad weather. There are threads about the damage. Even photos. And news articles.

The donativo albergue in Canfranc will open again in spring 2025. As they do after every winter season.

Should we perhaps keep this thread focused on practical up to date information for the benefit of those who are walking right now and in the next few weeks?