Visit Canfranc Station on a Pyrenees snowshoeing holiday

Tucked away in a quiet valley near the French border, Canfranc International Railway Station stands as one of the Pyrenees’ most striking architectural gems. In winter, when the surrounding slopes are blanketed in snow, the station becomes an atmospheric stop for travellers exploring this corner of Aragón — and a captivating highlight for anyone enjoying snowshoeing in the Pyrenees.

A palace among winter peaks

Canfranc opened in 1928 with extraordinary ambition. Stretching over 240 metres and featuring 365 windows, it was once one of Europe’s grandest railway stations. Its elegant mix of French and Spanish design gives it the appearance of a mountain palace, set against the dramatic rise of snowy ridgelines. Approaching it on a crisp winter day, with the valley hushed under fresh snow, feels like stepping into another era.

Stories etched in snow and stone

While Canfranc was built to connect Spain and France through a new trans-Pyrenean tunnel, its history soon became far more complex. Political tensions, technical issues and then the Second World War shaped its destiny. During the conflict, the station became a discreet crossing point for refugees and a location for covert wartime exchanges. Many Jewish families made their way through Canfranc en route to safety, a moving story that remained largely hidden for decades.

After the closure of the French side of the line in 1970, the station fell into disrepair, yet its intriguing past and dramatic setting continued to draw curious visitors and mountain lovers.

A new life for a Pyrenean icon

Today, Canfranc is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Careful restoration is turning the historic building into a hotel and cultural space, preserving its heritage while making it accessible once again. Its long façade, restored masonry and sweeping views make it a striking sight in any season — but in winter, surrounded by white peaks, it is especially impressive.

.