Hikes in Canfranc

The GR 11, also known as the Ruta Transpirenaica or Senda Pirenaica, is a long-distance hiking trail that crosses the Pyrenees in Spain from west to east.

A long and scenically very varied mountain stage with striking passes and magnificent views of the more central Pyrenees.

Round-trip route. Easy difficulty Very beautiful Forest path and well-marked trail 14.7 km 3h 22 min with stops

Circular hike through the Canfranc Protected Forest Difficulty: Easy, on a comfortable trail. A forest hike, ideal for a hot day. Starting point: Canfranc train station.

Easy route through Izas dam, Izas ravine and Aragon river course

Unlike its counterpart starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the first stage of the Aragonese Route runs steadily downhill. As we walk through the lush countryside, we also pass several interesting sights. Since the weather in the mountains can change quickly and should not be underestimated, it’s advisable to undertake this journey only when conditions are good; otherwise, use the road or wait until the weather clears up. It’s best to check with the hostel beforehand to find out what the weather forecast is and what to watch out for. There are hostels along the way where you can stop for a break.> With our first stamp in hand, we set out from the Somport Pass 01 (1,620 m, the highest point of the entire Camino), cross the border, and turn right at the Aysa Hostel toward Candanchú. Immediately to our right, a metal pilgrim statue points the way, and above it we find the Cruz Peregrino (pilgrim’s cross). Twenty meters further on, we branch off to the left of the road and follow the steps downhill onto a beaten path or hiking trail. Very soon we catch sight of the first houses of Gandanchú. Just before reaching it, we pass the ruins of the 12th-century pilgrim hospital Santa Cristina 02. The yellow arrows guide us to the left of the village, briefly down to the road, along its left side, and a few meters further on, turning left again onto the path above the road. We quickly cross to the other side of the major N-330a road and continue walking above the paved road; from here on, we also pass through beautiful forests, where we always keep to the right at trail forks (finding both the scallop shell and the white-and-red GR65.3 markings).The narrow path briefly becomes a wide gravel road until we’re diverted to the right and pass a shelter on our way downhill. Shortly afterward, we cross the Río Aragón to the left and then descend along its left bank. Through a mix of meadows and forests, we soon reach the fork to the right across the river and walk along the left side of the N-330a towardCanfranc-Estación03. We cross through the town (a visit to the historically beautiful train station building is recommended) and pass through the tunnel at the town’s edge. Immediately after that, we turn left and cross the bridge; on the left, a wall dams up the Río Aragón. For quite a while, we now hike again on narrow, well-maintained forest trails, cross a tributary of the Aragón, and shortly thereafter the main river itself, where we rejoin the road. As we pass through the tranquil town of Canfranc 04, we turn left off the national highway at the town’s edge and cross the Río Aragón once more, this time via an old Roman stone bridge. We’ll encounter many more traces of the Romans on our long hike to Santiago.On mostly pleasant trails, we walk along the edge of the forest until we pass under the N-330 first once, then again. Along the way, we see signs pointing to bunkers that were used during the war. Staying close to the river, we hike to Villanúa 05, which is not far away. Right at the parking lot, the path splits: on the left bank of the Aragón, we experience more nature, while on the right bank, the original route—which is heavily traffic-oriented—leads downhill along the N-330. Both routes meet again in the next village. We choose the quieter route and keep to the left, heading straight through the village and straight ahead again at the roundabout, then zigzagging out of the town on the second exit. At first, we walk alongside fields and then straight ahead on the quiet country road through the forest, which soon turns into a gravel path. Continuing straight ahead, after 1.5 km we come to the railroad tracks, which we cross to the left. Then, turning right, we keep left after a few minutes and pass through more open terrain, and sometimes through a wooded area around the hillside, until we come to a small connecting path on the right (alternatively, a few meters further on and then turn right) and continue straight ahead, crossing another tributary of the Aragón and soon crossing the river itself.Upon reaching the roundabout on the national highway, we walk briefly along it before turning right onto the side road and following it to Castiello de Jaca 06, where the two trails meet again. Continuing straight through the village, we cross the Río Aragón once more. After about 650 m, there is a bridge over the Río Ijuez, another tributary that originally had to be crossed using the stepping stones on the left. A little further along the river, we pass under the N-330 one more and final time, and from here on we walk quite close alongside it. Shortly before reaching the end of our stage, we briefly escape the noise by walking along the right side of the fields, but then we enter the outskirts of the city until we arrive straight ahead at the large, imposing citadel of Jaca. Passing by it, we head directly into the historic center of Jaca 07, the end of our stage.

Warning about the signage which has been changed to no longer pass through France. Source of confusion.

Circular route to go up to BuenaVista from Canfranc Estación passing by La Cueva's little house, Vasco's little house, Elvira Fountain, Buenavista, and descent via the cart road

Circular route crossing the Epifanio Ravine from Canfranc Station and back