La Casita de la Cueva in Canfranc

The route starts from the small car park at the northern end of the station forecourt.

(S/E) Head towards the Rio Aragón.

(1) Turn right towards the silo area; between the fence and the river, there is a footpath. At the end, you will find a fountain (Fuente Pequeña) and an uphill path with steps.

(2) Turn left onto a dirt and gravel road (Pista de coll de Ladrones). Turn right and follow this road until you reach a bend.

(3) At this bend, a path branches off to the right with a sign pointing towards "Casita blanca". This is the direction to follow. The path climbs through the woods until it reaches this house, which is an old forest house with an adjoining nursery, and ends at another forest track (pista de Picauve), which you should follow for about 50 metres to the left.

(4) Look for the path branching off to the right. The signpost indicates "Casita de la Cueva". This is where the route will come out on the descent. For now, continue on the track to the left, which climbs gently with two hairpin bends.

(5) In the last hairpin bend, you will see the start of a path on the right. Continue on the track for now and head towards Punta de Picauvé, an excellent viewpoint over the entire valley. Information boards provide details about the avalanche protection structures and military defences.

(6) Turn around and retrace your steps.

(5) Back at the bend, take the path towards Casita de la Cueva. This is a pleasant path through the woods that climbs gently at first, then zigzags a few times before crossing the Cargates ravine on a huge embankment. The passage is wide but impressive. You will come to a fork just after this.

(7) Signs invite you to turn left and climb up towards the Casita de la Cueva. Eight hairpin bends will take you under the overhanging cliff where the Casita, a tiny house, is nestled.

(8) After enjoying the location, we suggest continuing along this path for a short while and going through the tunnel under the cliff. In the middle of the tunnel, a side passage leads to an unusual viewpoint.

(9) Retrace your steps.

(7) Back at the last fork, turn left. The path descends steadily, winding its way down until you reach the Picauve trail.

(4) From this point, follow the same route you took on the way there, but in reverse. Just before the Casita Blanca, turn right onto the path leading to Canfranc.

(3) When you reach the Coll de Ladrones track, continue left and follow the same route you took on the way there to return to the car park (S/E).

• All seasons.
• There is little water along the route.
• All shops in Canfranc Estación.
• Accessible by train from Spain and by bus from France.
• The map is disappointing: the Spanish IGN map is fairly accurate but does not show any paths, and the Openstreetmap rando map has very approximate contour lines and paths. It must be said that GPS is not a very effective tool on paths with such tight hairpin bends (the length of successive bends can be as short as 10 m).
• Fortunately, the path is mostly marked by the Canfranc tourist office (route number 10) with excellent signposts showing possible destinations at all junctions.

The Canfranc Tourist Office offers a wide range of activities (including a tour of the international railway station). Public swimming pool.