New Albergue in Canfranc

[Rebekah Scott]

This week the Fraternidad Internacional del Camino de Santiago (FICS) signed an agreement to staff the new Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos de Canfranc, in Canfranc village along the Camino Aragonese north of Jaca.

The 16-bed albergue is purpose-built within a vintage schoolhouse on the main street of the mountain village. It is three storeys tall, with kitchen, lounge and dining areas, a garden, deck, even an elevator for handicapped pilgrims! The scenic mountain area is popular with hikers, bikers, and skiers, but the once-huge historic pilgrimage trail over the Pyrenees at Somport Pass was pretty much abandoned when politics and geography shifted the pilgrims westward to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Authorities on the French side of the mountain pass are working to restore washed-out sections of the old Camino up the Aspe Valley to Somport, to move pilgrims off the roadsides and back onto the historic mountain pathway. The mayor and council of Canfranc and Canfranc Estacion feel sure the improvements will revitalize this pilgrimage soon. Meantime, volunteer hospitaleros will have their fill of hiking trails and mountain fastness. For the time being, one person can run it alone. This will be the pilgrims' first experience of traditional Camino hospitality on the Spanish trail. (If you're interested in being a hospi at Canfranc, get in touch!)

We still do not have an opening date, the French border is still closed. But that's the state of things these Covid days... Stay tuned!

 

[AlanSykes]

working to restore washed-out sections of the old Camino up the Aspe Valley to Somport

In the meantime, to avoid the nasty narrow road up to Somport from Borce, I can strongly recommend a day's detour going on the Chemin de la Mâture, past the lovely lacs d'Ayous and up into Spain vía the Col des Moines, where monks welcomed pilgrims from Arles across the watershed for nearly a millennium. And then down to Somport and Canfranc. Very lovely, no tarmac, no traffic.

 

[mspath]

In the meantime, to avoid the nasty narrow road up to Somport from Borce, I can strongly recommend a day's detour going on the Chemin de la Mâture, past the lovely lacs d'Ayous and up into Spain vía the Col des Moines, where monks welcomed pilgrims from Arles across the watershed for nearly a millennium. And then down to Somport and Canfranc. Very lovely, no tarmac, no traffic.

View attachment 100087

View attachment 100088

View attachment 100090

View attachment 100089

Those are beautiful photos Alan, but that path above looks very narrow!

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Those are beautiful photos Alan, but that path above looks very narrow!

You wouldn't want to have a Tom Avery backpack moment, that's for sure!

 

[malingerer]

This week the Fraternidad Internacional del Camino de Santiago (FICS) signed an agreement to staff the new Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos de Canfranc, in Canfranc village along the Camino Aragonese north of Jaca.

The 16-bed albergue is purpose-built within a vintage schoolhouse on the main street of the mountain village. It is three storeys tall, with kitchen, lounge and dining areas, a garden, deck, even an elevator for handicapped pilgrims! The scenic mountain area is popular with hikers, bikers, and skiers, but the once-huge historic pilgrimage trail over the Pyrenees at Somport Pass was pretty much abandoned when politics and geography shifted the pilgrims westward to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Authorities on the French side of the mountain pass are working to restore washed-out sections of the old Camino up the Aspe Valley to Somport, to move pilgrims off the roadsides and back onto the historic mountain pathway. The mayor and council of Canfranc and Canfranc Estacion feel sure the improvements will revitalize this pilgrimage soon. Meantime, volunteer hospitaleros will have their fill of hiking trails and mountain fastness. For the time being, one person can run it alone. This will be the pilgrims' first experience of traditional Camino hospitality on the Spanish trail. (If you're interested in being a hospi at Canfranc, get in touch!)

We still do not have an opening date, the French border is still closed. But that's the state of things these Covid days... Stay tuned!

Have never thought of doing the "French" routes but this thread could put the hook in! Didn't realise the Somport Pass was once superior to Saint Jean! Best of luck and Buen Camino.

Samarkand.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Short documentary about Alan’s Chemin de la Mature.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

In the meantime, to avoid the nasty narrow road up to Somport from Borce, I can strongly recommend a day's detour going on the Chemin de la Mâture, past the lovely lacs d'Ayous and up into Spain vía the Col des Moines, where monks welcomed pilgrims from Arles across the watershed for nearly a millennium. And then down to Somport and Canfranc. Very lovely, no tarmac, no traffic.

I found it on my digital map program. The main road on the left leads to Col du Somport or the tunnel to Canfranc. The path cut into the cliff is in the extreme top left, the Gorge d’Enfer, - we won’t argue.

Here's the frame further south.

 

[mspath]

I found it on my digital map program. The main road on the left leads to Col du Somport or the tunnel to Canfranc. The path cut into the cliff is in the extreme top left, the Gorge d’Enfer, - we won’t argue.
View attachment 100121
Here's the frame further south.
View attachment 100122

Indeed.That name for that gorge appears to be
très pointu.

 

[Marbe2]

Those are beautiful photos Alan, but that path above looks very narrow!

Actually, it seems a much more realistic image, to me of a natural or carved out narrow Alpine pass, (except for the gravel) than The Napoleon route . My first impression of the Napolean route was that the wilderness had been domesticated and paved out of it.....

 

[fransw]

This week the Fraternidad Internacional del Camino de Santiago (FICS) signed an agreement to staff the new Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos de Canfranc, in Canfranc village along the Camino Aragonese north of Jaca.

The 16-bed albergue is purpose-built within a vintage schoolhouse on the main street of the mountain village. It is three storeys tall, with kitchen, lounge and dining areas, a garden, deck, even an elevator for handicapped pilgrims! The scenic mountain area is popular with hikers, bikers, and skiers, but the once-huge historic pilgrimage trail over the Pyrenees at Somport Pass was pretty much abandoned when politics and geography shifted the pilgrims westward to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Authorities on the French side of the mountain pass are working to restore washed-out sections of the old Camino up the Aspe Valley to Somport, to move pilgrims off the roadsides and back onto the historic mountain pathway. The mayor and council of Canfranc and Canfranc Estacion feel sure the improvements will revitalize this pilgrimage soon. Meantime, volunteer hospitaleros will have their fill of hiking trails and mountain fastness. For the time being, one person can run it alone. This will be the pilgrims' first experience of traditional Camino hospitality on the Spanish trail. (If you're interested in being a hospi at Canfranc, get in touch!)

We still do not have an opening date, the French border is still closed. But that's the state of things these Covid days... Stay tuned!

Well, I hope they find some better paths up the Aspe Valley. When I walked this part of the way in poorly weather conditions I found that the trail rather dangerous , the more that I was alone and no other pilgrims were in sight. So I decided trying the narrow traffic road but this was in rainy conditions even suicidal because of the traffic of heavy trucs and the poor visibility. So I choosed the least dangerous option and rejoined the track. I was relieved to arrive in Canfranc

 

[dick bird]

This week the Fraternidad Internacional del Camino de Santiago (FICS) signed an agreement to staff the new Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos de Canfranc, in Canfranc village along the Camino Aragonese north of Jaca.

The 16-bed albergue is purpose-built within a vintage schoolhouse on the main street of the mountain village. It is three storeys tall, with kitchen, lounge and dining areas, a garden, deck, even an elevator for handicapped pilgrims! The scenic mountain area is popular with hikers, bikers, and skiers, but the once-huge historic pilgrimage trail over the Pyrenees at Somport Pass was pretty much abandoned when politics and geography shifted the pilgrims westward to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Authorities on the French side of the mountain pass are working to restore washed-out sections of the old Camino up the Aspe Valley to Somport, to move pilgrims off the roadsides and back onto the historic mountain pathway. The mayor and council of Canfranc and Canfranc Estacion feel sure the improvements will revitalize this pilgrimage soon. Meantime, volunteer hospitaleros will have their fill of hiking trails and mountain fastness. For the time being, one person can run it alone. This will be the pilgrims' first experience of traditional Camino hospitality on the Spanish trail. (If you're interested in being a hospi at Canfranc, get in touch!)

We still do not have an opening date, the French border is still closed. But that's the state of things these Covid days... Stay tuned!

In 2019, we stayed at the Albergue Aragonés. It was very nice but I hear it has closed. If true, the new albergue would be very welcome. If you stay at Canfranc, don't miss the tour round the spectacular railway station.

 

[Albertagirl]

If you stay at Canfranc, don't miss the tour round the spectacular railway station.

I stayed at Canfran Estacion when I walked the Aragones/Frances in the autumn of 2016. But the tour at the railway station was fully booked when I arrived in town, and there was no possibility to see the station. The next morning, I walked down past Canfranc, and I have never seen a more dead village: no sign of life, animal or human.

 

[peregrina2000]

In 2019, we stayed at the Albergue Aragonés. It was very nice but I hear it has closed.

I think that the albergue Reb is talking about is not in Canfranc Estación, but in Canfranc. The vllage is about 4.5 km further south on the Camino Aragonés. I have also stayed in an albergue in Canfranc Estación, but it was Albergue Pepe Grillo. It is permanently closed. But it looks like the Albergue Río Aragón is still open.

http://www.alberguerioaragon.com/

I walked down past Canfranc, and I have never seen a more dead village: no sign of life, animal or human.

I am hoping that the albergue opening in Canfranc village will give a bit more life to that place, I confess I don’t remember anything about it!

 

[JabbaPapa]

It's great news that this project is finally going live -- something of the sort was clearly lacking when I walked through on the 2014, though I had stayed up at the Pass that time, and was far too tired to walk on any further than that.

 

[dick bird]

I think that the albergue Reb is talking about is not in Canfranc Estación, but in Canfranc. The vllage is about 4.5 km further south on the Camino Aragonés. I have also stayed in an albergue in Canfranc Estación, but it was Albergue Pepe Grillo. It is permanently closed. But it looks like the Albergue Río Aragón is still open.

http://www.alberguerioaragon.com/



I am hoping that the albergue opening in Canfranc village will give a bit more life to that place, I confess I don’t remember anything about it!

Well pointed out. It was Canfranc Estación - quite a lively place (especially on Sunday compared to France). I think the Camino Aragonés simply skirts past Canfranc as I have absolutely no memory of it. The pension Rio Aragonés also presented us with a discount voucher for the menú at a restaurant just down the road, it was a damn good menú too.

 

[camino07]

My friend and I spent a freezing cold night in Albergue Pepe Grillo in early May 2013
At dinner we met some pilgrims who stayed at a different one and they said it was warm. Hope the new one has heating, it looks lovely.

 

[AlanSykes]

Hope the new one has heating, it looks lovely.

I'm sure it will be better than the one Hilaire Belloc stayed at in Canfranc in 1909:

Do you remember an Inn, Miranda?
Do you remember an Inn?
And the tedding and the spreading
Of the straw for a bedding,
And the fleas that tease in the High Pyrenees,
And the wine that tasted of tar?
And the cheers and the jeers of the young muleteers
(Under the vine of the dark verandah)?
...
Never more;
Miranda,
Never more.
Only the high peaks' hoar:
And Aragón a torrent at the door.
No sound
In the walls of the halls where falls
The tread
Of the feet of the dead to the ground
No sound:
But the boom
Of the far Waterfall like Doom.

 

[dick bird]

I'm sure it will be better than the one Hilaire Belloc stayed at in Canfranc in 1909:

Do you remember an Inn, Miranda?
Do you remember an Inn?
And the tedding and the spreading
Of the straw for a bedding,
And the fleas that tease in the High Pyrenees,
And the wine that tasted of tar?
And the cheers and the jeers of the young muleteers
(Under the vine of the dark verandah)?
...
Never more;
Miranda,
Never more.
Only the high peaks' hoar:
And Aragón a torrent at the door.
No sound
In the walls of the halls where falls
The tread
Of the feet of the dead to the ground
No sound:
But the boom
Of the far Waterfall like Doom.

I have been compiling a collection of camino poems. This is one of them. Here is another (the humour is a tad more mordant, but somehow on the money):
The Journey of the Magi
‘A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.'
And the camels galled, sorefooted, refractory,
Lying down in the melting snow.
There were times we regretted
The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,
And the silken girls bringing sherbet.
Then the camel men cursing and grumbling
and running away, and wanting their liquor and women,
And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,
And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly
And the villages dirty and charging high prices:
A hard time we had of it.
At the end we preferred to travel all night,
Sleeping in snatches,
With the voices singing in our ears, saying
That this was all folly.

Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,
Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;
With a running stream and a water-mill beating the darkness,
And three trees on the low sky,
And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.
Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,
Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,
And feet kicking the empty wine-skins.
But there was no information, and so we continued
And arriving at evening, not a moment too soon
Finding the place; it was (you might say) satisfactory.

All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.

T.S.Eliot

 

[Vacajoe]

A welcome addition to that Camino route! In 2019 we met several pilgrims who had hoped to stay in Canfranc but were surprised to see the albergue closed despite the guidebooks and online sites stating it was open. It’s only 5km more to Confranc Estacion, but an albergue in every village is a nice goal on a route that should be more popular than it is.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

There is a lot of enthusiasm up that valley these days, it is fun to be part of it.
I walked on Wednesday down from the Somport Pass to Canfranc Estacion, and another 4 km further on to Canfranc Pueblo. The trail is splendid, and studded with traces of forgotten wars and engineering works, roaring rivers and waterfalls and ski slopes.
Canfranc Pueblo hopes the new albergue and the addition of international hospitaleros will liven things up in this town of second homes. FICS will try to keep it staffed and open (yes, there's heat!) from April to November. It's ideal for a single, experienced hospi, but two is nice too, especially once the Covid occupancy restrictions lift. We are hoping to open in early August.

I am very much enjoying the videos and description of the path on the French side of the border. The people driving the progress in Canfranc hope the old Aspe Valley pilgrimage road on the opposite side of the river from the present roadside slog to Somport will soon be recovered -- there's an installation of hanging walkways ongoing -- and the Way from Oloron will be that much more pleasantly walkable. Also, work is afoot to reopen the rail line between Canfranc, to link the towns again with Lourdes and points beyond.

 

[dick bird]

There is a lot of enthusiasm up that valley these days, it is fun to be part of it.
I walked on Wednesday down from the Somport Pass to Canfranc Estacion, and another 4 km further on to Canfranc Pueblo. The trail is splendid, and studded with traces of forgotten wars and engineering works, roaring rivers and waterfalls and ski slopes.
Canfranc Pueblo hopes the new albergue and the addition of international hospitaleros will liven things up in this town of second homes. FICS will try to keep it staffed and open (yes, there's heat!) from April to November. It's ideal for a single, experienced hospi, but two is nice too, especially once the Covid occupancy restrictions lift. We are hoping to open in early August.

I am very much enjoying the videos and description of the path on the French side of the border. The people driving the progress in Canfranc hope the old Aspe Valley pilgrimage road on the opposite side of the river from the present roadside slog to Somport will soon be recovered -- there's an installation of hanging walkways ongoing -- and the Way from Oloron will be that much more pleasantly walkable. Also, work is afoot to reopen the rail line between Canfranc, to link the towns again with Lourdes and points beyond.

Here's another video of the Chemin D'Arles, from Toulouse. I am seething with jealousy that somebody else is on the camino, especially that one, but also glad that someone can and is walking that route. It is also excellent news that they are upgrading the tracks etc on the French side, especially up the hill to the pass - we were forced onto the road as the footpath was so wet in the rain as to be even more hazardous than the road (which, by the by, is not the most dangerous bit of road-walking on the camino, but definitely not pleasant). I think restoring the rail link is a bit optimistic though - the road has cut through a lot of the old embankments and bridges so some serious engineering would be needed. Buen camino

 

[Kanga]

There is a lot of enthusiasm up that valley these days, it is fun to be part of it.
I walked on Wednesday down from the Somport Pass to Canfranc Estacion, and another 4 km further on to Canfranc Pueblo. The trail is splendid, and studded with traces of forgotten wars and engineering works, roaring rivers and waterfalls and ski slopes.
Canfranc Pueblo hopes the new albergue and the addition of international hospitaleros will liven things up in this town of second homes. FICS will try to keep it staffed and open (yes, there's heat!) from April to November. It's ideal for a single, experienced hospi, but two is nice too, especially once the Covid occupancy restrictions lift. We are hoping to open in early August.

I am very much enjoying the videos and description of the path on the French side of the border. The people driving the progress in Canfranc hope the old Aspe Valley pilgrimage road on the opposite side of the river from the present roadside slog to Somport will soon be recovered -- there's an installation of hanging walkways ongoing -- and the Way from Oloron will be that much more pleasantly walkable. Also, work is afoot to reopen the rail line between Canfranc, to link the towns again with Lourdes and points beyond.

That sounds just magical. We stopped walking at Oloron, but then drove up the Aspe Valley and I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to walk it. I'm glad you are getting a taste for the old French routes. They are wonderful and I'm longing to walk them again.

 

[Vacajoe]

I loved the walk from Somport to Oloron when we headed to Lourdes in 2020, but there were several spots that definitely could be improved for safety’s sake and to accommodate more pilgrims. Just don’t make it TOO popular!

An albergue in Confranc will provide a nice alternative to Confranc Estacion, especially since the latter is a much larger town. Even when snow closes the pass to walking, many pilgrims will still traipse from Somport to Jaca. This will provide a nice stopping point if the weather turns on them.

 

[Mycroft]

You wouldn't want to have a Tom Avery backpack moment, that's for sure!

Had to look up Tom avery (stupid American) but didn't see anything about a backpack mishap. What's the tale?

 

[Mycroft]

Here's another video of the Chemin D'Arles, from Toulouse. I am seething with jealousy that somebody else is on the camino, especially that one, but also glad that someone can and is walking that route. It is also excellent news that they are upgrading the tracks etc on the French side, especially up the hill to the pass - we were forced onto the road as the footpath was so wet in the rain as to be even more hazardous than the road (which, by the by, is not the most dangerous bit of road-walking on the camino, but definitely not pleasant). I think restoring the rail link is a bit optimistic though - the road has cut through a lot of the old embankments and bridges so some serious engineering would be needed. Buen camino

I would like to view this video but it says it is private and one needs permission.

 

[Vacajoe]

Had to look up Tom avery (stupid American) but didn't see anything about a backpack mishap. What's the tale?

It’s a reference to the Camino movie, “The Way” starring Martin Sheen. If you are unaware of it, then congrats to you as it’s hard to avoid among the American Pilgrim crowd! Worth watching.

 

[Mycroft]

It’s a reference to the Camino movie, “The Way” starring Martin Sheen. If you are unaware of it, then congrats to you as it’s hard to avoid among the American Pilgrim crowd! Worth watching.

Oooohhhhh! I have seen The Way but had not memorized the characters' names. I thought this was a reference to the Tom Avery who does all those explorer treks to the poles, climbs mountains and ice fields, etc. Silly me.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

That sounds just magical. We stopped walking at Oloron, but then drove up the Aspe Valley and I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to walk it. I'm glad you are getting a taste for the old French routes. They are wonderful and I'm longing to walk them again.

I don't speak French, so I find walking over there a bit intimidating... besides, there is so much of Spain still left to explore. Still, if I get the opportunity to walk with Kanga anywhere, I am THERE! Let's walk from Oloron Ste. Marie to at least Jaca, Kanga!

 

[AlanSykes]

Let's walk from Oloron Ste. Marie to at least Jaca

If you do get to Jaca I really really strongly recommend going to the diocesan art collection at the cathedral, arguably the finest collection of romanesque frescoes in the world, many rescued from decaying small churches up the Aragón valley the camino comes down. Simply glorious, with a very generous pilgrim discount (?50%) and a nice sello - after two nights in shepherds' huts in the high mountains, I treated myself to an hotel so didn't get the albergue seal.

I particularly liked St Luke's bull - it must be difficult to hold your gospel if you have cloven hooves, but he does a good job.

 

[Kanga]

Let's walk from Oloron Ste. Marie to at least Jaca, Kanga!

Reb, you are on! As soon as I can escape from here which, according to our government (hopeless), is not going to be until summer next year.

And yes, @alansykes that collection looks intriguing. I rather fancy the Van Gogh one. Very medievally gruesome.

 

[dick bird]

I would like to view this video but it says it is private and one needs permission.

I'll see what I can do.

 

[dick bird]

I would like to view this video but it says it is private and one needs permission.

I forgot to make it public. Should be OK now.

 

[dick bird]

I don't speak French, so I find walking over there a bit intimidating... besides, there is so much of Spain still left to explore. Still, if I get the opportunity to walk with Kanga anywhere, I am THERE! Let's walk from Oloron Ste. Marie to at least Jaca, Kanga!

A lot of people don't speak Spanish - that doesn't stop them walking in Spain. My French is atrocious and my partner's has been likened to 'Une vache Espanyol' - a Spanish cow. But we walked from Toulouse to Somport (and then the Aragonés) and met nothing but kindness and generosity, not to mention a lot of French people who were more than happy to use whatever English they had (in many cases, a lot). Please, try it. You won't regret it.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

A lot of people don't speak Spanish - that doesn't stop them walking in Spain. My French is atrocious and my partner's has been likened to 'Une vache Espanyol' - a Spanish cow. But we walked from Toulouse to Somport (and then the Aragonés) and met nothing but kindness and generosity, not to mention a lot of French people who were more than happy to use whatever English they had (in many cases, a lot). Please, try it. You won't regret it.

Thanks, Dick Bird. I have spent a good amount of time in France (I live in Spain), I don't let my language troubles stand in the way of a nice walk.

 

[Karl Oz]

Had to look up Tom avery (stupid American) but didn't see anything about a backpack mishap. What's the tale?

Watch the movie 'The Way' for an explanation...

 

[dick bird]

More on Canfranc Estación: a Guardian UK article

Europe’s unluckiest train station gets new lease of life as hotel

Once-grand Canfranc was known as the Titanic of the mountains, but fell into disrepair thanks to fire, derailment and war

www.theguardian.com

reports that the station is to be done up and converted to a five star hotel, conference centre, museum, general tourist attraction and, wait for it, drum roll please - 'pilgrim refugio'. We'll wait and see, I think.

 

[Richmond Gardner]

In 2019, we stayed at the Albergue Aragonés. It was very nice but I hear it has closed. If true, the new albergue would be very welcome. If you stay at Canfranc, don't miss the tour round the spectacular railway station.

View attachment 100186View attachment 100187

What month did you choose to walk?

 

[dick bird]

What month did you choose to walk?

We were there the end of July, but that is coincidental really. We walk the camino whenever we get the chance to travel to Europe (which probably won't be until the middle of next year, given that Australia has closed its borders indefinitely). To give you some idea of what it might be like at other times of the year, Candanchú (a few kms up the valley) is a popular ski resort. By the way, it seems the Albergue Aragonés is alive and kicking and I thoroughly recommend the Camino Aragonés - an often overlooked jewel of a camino.

 

[Ronald Boivin]

Have never thought of doing the "French" routes but this thread could put the hook in! Didn't realise the Somport Pass was once superior to Saint Jean! Best of luck and Buen Camino.

Samarkand.

Did the Camino Tolosana from Arles France to Jaca, España then on to join the Camino Frances. Beautiful and worthwhile, quiet and contemplative. Marking was fairly good but maps and apps were critical at times. It’s a 9.9/10 Camino.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

More on Canfranc Estación: a Guardian UK article

Europe’s unluckiest train station gets new lease of life as hotel

Once-grand Canfranc was known as the Titanic of the mountains, but fell into disrepair thanks to fire, derailment and war

www.theguardian.com

reports that the station is to be done up and converted to a five star hotel, conference centre, museum, general tourist attraction and, wait for it, drum roll please - 'pilgrim refugio'. We'll wait and see, I think.

There won't be a pilgrim refuge in the station. There will be a pilgrim reception center in a rail car nearby, however. The new pilgrim albergue is at Canfranc pueblo, 4 km. down the trail southward. It opens on August 1!

 

[Marbe2]

…. amazed by what I learn hear!

 

[Anniesantiago]

This is GREAT news!
Thank you!

 

[dick bird]

There won't be a pilgrim refuge in the station. There will be a pilgrim reception center in a rail car nearby, however. The new pilgrim albergue is at Canfranc pueblo, 4 km. down the trail southward. It opens on August 1!

"The complex will include a 200-seat conference centre, a railway museum, shops, and a pilgrim refuge, as Canfranc is on one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela." I was quoting the article, so presumably the journalist misunderstood the information they were given. Nice to hear the new albergue is an a reality.

 

[BlackRocker57]

"The complex will include a 200-seat conference centre, a railway museum, shops, and a pilgrim refuge, as Canfranc is on one of the routes to Santiago de Compostela." I was quoting the article, so presumably the journalist misunderstood the information they were given. Nice to hear the new albergue is an a reality.

I read elsewhere [FB page of the architects] that work on the new muncipal albergue is just about complete and ready to he handed over to the local municipality ahead of scheduled opening on 1 August ... and work continues apace on the station too ...

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I read elsewhere [FB page of the architects] that work on the new muncipal albergue is just about complete and ready to he handed over to the local municipality ahead of scheduled opening on 1 August ... and work continues apace on the station too ...

I am in charge of staffing and daily running of the albergue, I would love to see the architects' opinon. Can you link me to their page?
The albergue is clearly designed by people who've done nice hotels, but never an albergue. We will have to do some work-arounds!

 

[Vacajoe]

As one of Rebekah’s upcoming hospitaleros, I am just thrilled that the route is finally getting some notice! Hope to see everyone there this fall.

 

[BlackRocker57]

I am in charge of staffing and daily running of the albergue, I would love to see the architects' opinon. Can you link me to their page?
The albergue is clearly designed by people who've done nice hotels, but never an albergue. We will have to do some work-arounds!

G’Day Rebekah
Here is the link to the FB page of the archiects «AV47 arquitectura» and Alicia Peralta … I have also sent you links via Messenger incl. to Alicia’s Instagram with additional photos of the work in progress … all the best

<https://m.facebook.com/AV47aliciaperalta/?tsid=0.029822514839080938&source=result>

 

[JabbaPapa]

Couple of weeks old, but here are a couple of articles on the occasion of the grand opening :

Canfranc inaugura un albergue de peregrinos "5 estrellas"

El singular y moderno alojamiento, de 19 plazas y tematizado, pretende animar a la gente a hacer la ruta jacobea. La inversión asciende a 600.000 euros.

www.heraldo.es

Canfranc Pueblo estrena su singular albergue de peregrinos

El objetivo es que sirva de revulsivo para el pueblo y dinamice el peregrinaje por el tramo aragonés del Camino de Santiago francés | Cadena SER

www.radiohuesca.com

 

[pinkwadingbird]

So the new albergue in Canfranc is now open for business. What a gorgeous, comfortable facility. It looks like it belongs in a design magazine.

I am currently serving there as a volunteer hospitalera. The local residents are VERY helpful and supportive of this venture. If you know of anyone who is fortunate enough to be walking the Camino Aragones, send them this way. Pictures are below. I am not an especially good photographer so it actually looks even better in real life. There are separate shower and toilet facilities for men and women. Each bunk has a privacy screen, outlet, light and ample storage spaces. Hope to see some of you soon.

 

[Howie Peterson]

Those are beautiful photos Alan, but that path above looks very narrow!

I often have a hard time with heights, but I enjoyed hiking the narrow Chemin de la Mature, carved out of the cliff, when I was hiking on the GR10 in 2019 after walking the LePuy Route in France. This summer I'm planning to walk the Via Tolosana and the Camino Aragones - so I just might take Alan's suggestion and do the Chemin de la Mature again.

Those are beautiful photos Alan, but that path above looks very narrow!

 

[JabbaPapa]

This has been mentioned in other threads, but it's worth repeating here that the Albergue in Canfranc has been formally named/dedicated/"baptised" :

El Camino Francés se reivindica en Canfranc con el reconocimiento a Elías Valiña, el cura de O Cebreiro

El Camino Francés se reivindica en Canfranc con el reconocimiento a Elías Valiña, el cura de O Cebreiro. (FOTO: Rebeca Ruiz) El Camino de Santiago Francés

jacetaniaexpress.com

Nice photos in the article.

 

[Vacajoe]

Yes, and it now sports some new wall decorations! And if you stop in before April 15, say hello to my wife Cyndi, the longest-serving hospitalera at that albergue…. It’s a joke - ask her about it!

By far the nicest albergue I’ve stayed in - I hope it continues to grow and evolve into one that pilgrims remember fondly of like Grañon, Tosantos, or Arres.

 

[Albertagirl]

I have just purchased my air ticket to Lyon in France to walk the Le Puy in the fall, then via back roads from Navarrenx, a couple of stages short of SJpdP, to Oloron Ste Marie. I have been longing to return to San Juan de la Pena since I walked the Aragones in 2016. This seems to be my time. Depending on how I feel when I reach Canfranc Estacion, I shall try to walk on to Canfranc Pueblo, to stay in the new albergue, probably sometime in mid October. I don't know where I am going from the Aragones, but I plan to reach Santiago, possibly via the Invierno. It will be a wonderful adventure. After so many years of struggling with Spanish, I am looking forward to relaxing into French, which I studied for many years. I hope that I remember some.

 

[alwalker]

Have never thought of doing the "French" routes but this thread could put the hook in! Didn't realise the Somport Pass was once superior to Saint Jean! Best of luck and Buen Camino.

Samarkand.

Its spectacular - but try and pick a day that is not overcast or wet.

 

[konnie]

This week the Fraternidad Internacional del Camino de Santiago (FICS) signed an agreement to staff the new Albergue Municipal de Peregrinos de Canfranc, in Canfranc village along the Camino Aragonese north of Jaca.

The 16-bed albergue is purpose-built within a vintage schoolhouse on the main street of the mountain village. It is three storeys tall, with kitchen, lounge and dining areas, a garden, deck, even an elevator for handicapped pilgrims! The scenic mountain area is popular with hikers, bikers, and skiers, but the once-huge historic pilgrimage trail over the Pyrenees at Somport Pass was pretty much abandoned when politics and geography shifted the pilgrims westward to St. Jean Pied de Port.

Authorities on the French side of the mountain pass are working to restore washed-out sections of the old Camino up the Aspe Valley to Somport, to move pilgrims off the roadsides and back onto the historic mountain pathway. The mayor and council of Canfranc and Canfranc Estacion feel sure the improvements will revitalize this pilgrimage soon. Meantime, volunteer hospitaleros will have their fill of hiking trails and mountain fastness. For the time being, one person can run it alone. This will be the pilgrims' first experience of traditional Camino hospitality on the Spanish trail. (If you're interested in being a hospi at Canfranc, get in touch!)

We still do not have an opening date, the French border is still closed. But that's the state of things these Covid days... Stay tuned!

Hi Rebekah, are there any opportunities to be a hospitalera in Canfanc this season? I will be a hopitalera in Estelle Oct 1-15. I was a hospitalera serveral years ago in Nájara. My Spanish is pretty good. I am available September 1-30 and Oct 15-30.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Hi Rebekah, are there any opportunities to be a hospitalera in Canfanc this season? I will be a hopitalera in Estelle Oct 1-15. I was a hospitalera serveral years ago in Nájara. My Spanish is pretty good. I am available September 1-30 and Oct 15-30.

Well, shoot Konnie... the only openings I have at Canfranc are 15 - 31 August.

 

[konnie]

I will try to make some arrangements to have that opportunity. I probably can let you know tomorrow.

 

[konnie]

I have made my arrangements and I will be available for 15-31 August.