Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Canfranc Pass

Just a few kilometers south of the pass, near the (huge and ugly!) winter resort of Cadanchu the ruins of "St Christina of Somport" are next to the "camino". This "hopital" is mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus, one the earliest known tourist guidebooks, written by Aymeric Picaud. Here the many pilgrims could stop and recover after having crossed the Col du Somport. St. Christina had a great reputation (similar to the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the Alps). Even Papal bulls considered the convent "unum de tribus mundi hospitalibus”.

Walking downhill, following the valley of the Rio Aragon. From now on, the "chemin" is a "camino". The "Via Tolosana" continues and is named "Camino Aragonés" in Aragon. As you can see, the distance from here to Santiago de Compostela is exactly 858 kms.

There is a modern chapel on the "Col du Somport" (aka "Canfranc Pass"), from where the visitors have a marvelous overview, when the weather is so brilliant. The place is just a few meters south of the border - and belongs to Spain.

The rain had stopped and the sun was out, when I finally reached the "Col du Somport" (aka "Canfranc Pass"). A Roman road existed here, later Vandals, Visigoths, Maurs, Franks - all have used this pass (el. 1632m) - and pilgrims of course. I crossed the border, entered the bar at the end of the parking lot and had an icecold Spanish Estralla-beer.

Drizzling rain had started and in the higher regions fog came up. Visibility was low,but I saw a large flock of sheep crossing a meadow in front of me. Little later I entered the sealed road that runs up to the pass, I decided to leave the muddy GR653. I followed the serpentines of the road.

The ascent was steep and pretty slippery, but easier, than I had expected. I had met two "pelerins" that morning, but they took a rest, so I took the lead. They were both faster than me, so I saw them again later.

Hitting the road early morning again, after breakfast at the Hotel "Les Voyageurs" in Urdos. The GR653 has again joined the N134, that now leads to the 8.6 km-long Somport Tunnel, opened in January 2003. I left the road and walked on a steep, slippery ascent to the "Col du Somport" (aka "Canfranc Pass").