Hermitage of the Virgin of the Castle and the Mascun Springs

From Rodellar, the proposed hike takes you up to the Ermita de la Virgen del Castillo via the hamlet of Cheto. The return journey takes a detour to las Fuentes del Mascun, following the Mascun river.
On arrival, you can take a tour of the village of Rodellar.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.46 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 309 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 311 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 835 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 717 m

Description of the walk

Start: Park at the tourist information hut at the entrance to the village of Rodellar, where there is a car park just below.

(S/E) Follow the road towards the village. Reach a crossroads at the Florentino bar-restaurant.

(1) Take the path on the right. From here, follow the signs for Cheto and Ermita de Virgen del Castillo. The shady path rises gently to the hamlet of Cheto.

(2) Cross this hamlet and continue to follow the signs for Ermita de Virgen del Castello to reach the crossroads of the path serving this hermitage.

(3) Turn right towards this hermitage. Descend steeply until you cross the bed of a small, dry stream. Climb steeply until you reach the Ermita de la Virgen del Castillo.

(4) Take the same path back to the previous crossroads.

(3) Turn right to go down to the Mascun river.

(5) Then turn right, following the river to Fuentes del Mascun.

(6) Rejoin the river junction you passed earlier.

(5) Follow the river, ford it three times, and join the trail junction at the Mascun III ford.

(7) Leave the river and take the path up to Rodellar. Rejoin the village at the crossroads.

(1) Take the road back to the car park of the tourist information hut (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 753 m - Tourist hut at the entrance to the village
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 751 m - Bar Restaurant "le florentino
  3. 2 : km 1.06 - alt. 811 m - Hamlet of Cheto
  4. 3 : km 2.14 - alt. 761 m - Carrefour
  5. 4 : km 2.68 - alt. 780 m - Ermitage de la virgen del castillon
  6. 5 : km 3.87 - alt. 718 m - Mascun river
  7. 6 : km 4.38 - alt. 763 m - Fuentes de Mascun
  8. 7 : km 5.33 - alt. 728 m - Mascun III
  9. S/E : km 6.46 - alt. 751 m - Tourist hut at the entrance to the village

Notes

Start: Park at the tourist information hut at the entrance to the village of Rodellar, where there is a car park just below.

⚠️ No water on the way

Terrain: the beginning of the hike in the shade, then in full sun : the end of the ascent to the hermitage of Virgen del Castillo rather difficult (steep for a short distance).

Worth a visit

(1) Village of Rodellar

(4) Ermita de la Virgen del Castillo: first you discover an old building (Ermita), then as you climb a little further, a magnificent viewpoint over the Sierra de Guara. A table is available for picnics and breaks.
Between (5) and (6) During the hike, there are numerous climbing spots along the Mascun.

(6) Small cave from which a stream flows. Nearby you'll find a large number of climbing enthusiasts training on spots of varying degrees of impressiveness.

Canyoning: the Sierra de Guara is a veritable paradise for experienced and novice canyoning enthusiasts alike.
Village of Biergé (on the road to Rodella)

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
odesource
odesource

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

The start from Rodellar is pleasant. From the fork, the path to the chapel is steep, rocky and sometimes covered in scree. It is best to concentrate, especially on the descent. From a distance, before climbing, you can see the chapel in its entirety. You arrive at the small main façade with the entrance door closed. Built on the side of a wall, you cannot see anything else of this monument, neither on the sides nor at the back. However, you are in a dominant position to admire the Mascun Canyon.
Personally, I find it more interesting to hike on other routes in this canyon where you can discover gorges with arches, sculpted rocks, cornices, gigantic walls and much more...

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Massol Annette
Massol Annette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice tour, I recommend it, very good signposting, magnificent views

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Val et Briac
Val et Briac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk, very well detailed in the description.
However, if you are hiking with young children, some places are a little dangerous when you climb to the very top of the Ermita.

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françois legendre
françois legendre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant route, with the points of interest well presented in the description,

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