Hecho (Alto) by Bicycle - Velo

This pass is one in a string of several foothill summits that parallel the Pyrenean main ridge. Unlike the summits in either direction, this is actually a relatively wide and well used highway over the top. The real interesting spots are further down on the west side, the town of Hecho and the river following the Rio Aragon below that. - Apparently both Hecho and Echo are acceptable spellings.

1.(00.0km,0630m) START-END EAST ALT:A1602 leaves N240 outside of Berdun
2.(21.7km,0770m)profile START-END EAST: turns right onto A1763 a few km below Anso
3.(26.6km,1100m)TOP: Alto Hecho
4.(30.8km,0830m)turnoff to Hecho towards west
5.(38.1km,0750m)START-END WEST: turnoff to Jasa towards west
6.(54.2km,0600m)START-END WEST ALT: Puente La Reina de Jaca

Approaches

From West. The profile starts in Berdun, an old village perched on top of a mesa and heads up to Anso. A low point is reached where the road crosses the Rio Veral. The two spikes in the profile after that must be due to tunnels.

By the time the road gets to point 2, a few km below Anso, it occupies a wider valley. After the turnoff towards Echo, the route continues on a newly constructed wide road, navigating through a short tunnel and between one or two limestone spires. The road crests in the foothills at a huge dirt parkinglot. A single derlict structure seems to appear on many photographs because there really is not very much else to see here.

From East. The really interesting spot on this journey, in my mind, is the area in, around and below Hecho. The road passes by the edge of this town. There is a nursing home or hospital at the turnoff, and the location with a wall of the Pyrenees behind it is the most majestic backdrop for such a thing I have ever seen. The picture at the bottom shows this scene. But it is take from a better vantage point above the profile. The road itself is visible in it and gives an impression of the view from the road. The town itself has several monuments and interesting old architecture. All are deserted when I am there. But I can imagine this place as a lively festive vacation town.

This incredible wall of mountains continues to be the far backdrop of the road, during the gentle descent towards the Jasa turnoff. The road bed on this side follows the contours of the land and the Rio Aragon more closely and for me the result are many interesting photographs. - Haven't been able to find any of these motifs on the web though, and mine (as you know by now) are gone.