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Three of us will be walking the Aragones beginning next April from Jaca to Puente la Reina. Will we be able to find accommodations on the San Juan de la Pena alternate route? Any additional comments/suggestions regarding this route would be most welcome.
Hi, June, Welcome to the forum.Three of us will be walking the Aragones beginning next April from Jaca to Puente la Reina. Will we be able to find accommodations on the San Juan de la Pena alternate route? Any additional comments/suggestions regarding this route would be most welcome.
I drove there a week ago after spending a night at Leyre.
Wandering is over. It is well fenced now. The lobby was restored in 2014, and tours are available to see it. When wandering was permitted, it was quite an activity; lots of roof leaks and rust. Cats had taken over many of the abandoned coach cars, but the former elegance of the station was still apparent. "Folly" is probably a good description. It was the largest train station in Europe when it was built, but its success would be dependent on cooperation between France and Spain, always a commodity in short supply! It may have seemed appropriate in the heyday of trains in the 1930's, but it never achieved its potential. Track damage in 1970 on the French side was never repaired, and the station declined rapidly thereafter. You can take a train from in front of the station today, and go to Jaca and Zaragoza.You can wander round the back to appreciate the enormity of this 'folly'.
The hotel by the 'new' monastery was open in late September of this year. For confirmation check TripAdvisor, if necessary! but has varied appreciation.... Walking down on the track was not THAT demanding though I would not do it in wet weather. There was actually a 7pm bus. However, the walk down as I have said had the most stunning vistas. A further recommendation would be to stop before or after Ruesta - the albergues were very welcoming indeed!
I also second Laurie's suggestion to get the bus up to the Somport pass. You will then get a chance to see the ruins of Santa Cristina which was such an important pilgrimage stop. More contemporary though is the fascinating Canfranc Estacion. You can wander round the back to appreciate the enormity of this 'folly'.
ps it was only due to a forest hunter that I found my way to Santa Cruz de los Seros via Atares. There is practically no-one, no traffic and no houses and most importantly no water... Take the road!
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