San Cristóbal del Barranco Hermitage in Aragon

The starting point for this short hike is the Hermitage of Santa Quiteria near Bolea. For directions, see Practical Information.
This route is signposted and marked^PR®-HU 111 Bolea - Ermita de San Cristóbal, with white and yellow markings.

(S/E) Continue along the track northwards, passing in front of the chapel.

(1) After 100 m, at the Y-junction, take the track on the right.

(2) At the next junction, go straight ahead, ignoring the track branching off to the right which leads into a field of almond trees.

(3) At the very tight Y-junction, stay on the main track to the left, which further on ends in a field of almond trees.

(4) Then take the path running along the left-hand side of the field and continue along the track that climbs up the Rio Sotón valley for 3 km. The very wild track climbs gently; you are well above the Rio Sotón. It feels like the Corsican maquis; it smells of thyme and rosemary and you get scratched by thorny broom and holly.
The path joins the Rio Sotón, which flows over stone slabs.

(5) Above, you can see the hermitage, built into this impressive cliff face.
The rest of the route is only for those who aren’t afraid of heights.
Cross the river and take the path that climbs steeply on the other side; it quickly gains 20 metres in altitude and, at a cairn, leave the path and head for the edge of the cliff; a few stone steps carved above the void , with no safety barriers, lead to the hermitage.

(6) Visit the small cave church with hermit cells scattered across the cliff face, which the monks accessed via ladders.
Head back down towards the Rio Sotón and follow the path back the way you came to reach the hermitage of Sainte-Quiterie (S/E).

Access: From Ayerbe, head towards Loarre via the A-1206, pass through Loarre and arrive at the entrance to Bolea at a sort of roundabout; from Huesca, head towards Ayerbe; after 14 km and just past the village of Esquedas, turn right onto the A-1206 towards Bolea and Loarre, arriving at the entrance to Bolea at the same roundabout.
At the roundabout, head towards the village of Bolea via Calle Carretera, passing in front of the Alberge de los Peregrinos, a pilgrims’ hostel as Bolea lies on the Way of St James; the road reaches a Y-junction at the Molino de Olivas; turn left onto the Carretera Puibolea until you reach a Y-junction at a house with a round fence; turn left; you will see hiking signs indicating the direction of Anies and Loarre; you are now on the^GR®1.
You will pass the municipal swimming pool; the road becomes a track. After crossing the Arroyo de San Andrés, 300 m past the bridge, turn right towards the Hermitage of Santa Quiteria, leaving the^GR®1, and park next to the hermitage.

An easy walk to the entrance to the hermitage, which is only suitable for those with a head for heights. The path is narrow and overgrown with prickly plants; long trousers are recommended. The spot where the path meets the Rio Sotón, just before the climb up to the site, is ideal for a picnic.

Tucked away at the bottom of a gorge in the Sierra Caballera, the Hermitage of San Cristóbal del Barranco is an exceptional religious complex. It comprises a small cave church from the Visigothic period with hermit cells carved into the rock face, which the monks accessed via ladders. It is a shame to see this testament to the early days of Christianity in such a state of neglect. You can see a precious remnant of a painting depicting the Archangel Gabriel (12th–13th centuries) within an older complex, probably dating from the Visigothic period (5th–7th centuries).
Please respect this place steeped in history, unlike a few idiots who have left silly marks of their visit.