Gorges and Hermitage of San Julián de Andriá

On the Col de Monrepos road linking Sabiñanigo and Huesca (A-23 Autovía Mudéjar), on the descent towards Huesca, exit towards Nueno and follow the signs for "Golf de Guara"-"Urbanization Parque de Guara". Do not enter the urbanisation but continue along the edge of the road, which is not in very good condition. The road curves to the left and passes above the housing development. On the left, there is a beautiful swimming pool behind the fence of the housing development. Park at the side of the road.
This walk mostly follows the PR®-HU 112 Gorgas de San Julián route.

(S/E) Take the downhill track, heading north-west, following the PR® markings. After 250 m, look for signs pointing to the gorges and the hermitage.

(1) At the signs, take the track on the right for 200 m. This track leads to a beekeeping operation, the Caseta de Brañano. The operator has kindly put up a red "peligro no pasar" (danger, do not pass) sign on the track leading to the hives and a green sign indicating the safe path to the gorges and the hermitage.

(2) At the signs, take the path on the right and follow the PR® markings for 1,500 m until you reach a sign indicating Hermitage 0.100 km.

(3) Ignore this path and continue towards the bottom of the gorge. After a few dozen metres, the gorge narrows to form a vault above your head. On the right, a sculptural white stone nativity scene nestles under the arch. Continue towards the bottom of the gorge until you reach a narrowing where clear water flows. If you feel like putting on your swimsuit to continue further up, the gorge closes 2 or 3 m further on.

(4) Return by the same route.

(3) Take the path on the right towards the hermitage, cross the Rio Venia and reach the hermitage via a steep path.
The hermitage is located under the vault created by the cliff. The door is open, and you can visit it and refresh yourself at its spring.

(5) Continue along the balcony path with beautiful views to the south, cross the Barranco Fennés and continue to reach a track between beautiful meadows newly planted with almond trees.
Continue along this wide track until you see a cairn on the left.

(6) At the cairn, take a downhill path that cuts across a large circular loop of the track, leaving the PR® for a few hundred metres. The path joins a field. Continue along the left side of the field (cairns) and, at the bottom of the field, continue down the path (cairns) until you reach a grassy track near the Rio Venia.

(7) Take the grassy track on the right and continue to a crossroads.

(8) Cross the ford over the Rio and take the track on the left, following the PR® markings.
Continue along the track between the almond trees until you reach the fork in the track from the outward journey.

(1) Continue straight on towards the car park (S/E).

The trail is well marked and frequented by hikers from Aragon. In the gorge section, it is narrow and the vegetation can be prickly. Wear long trousers rather than shorts.
Inside the hermitage, there is a spring where you can fill your water bottle.

Nativity scene at Gorgas de San Julian
In addition to the beautiful white stone sculpture, you can see small nativity scenes left by visitors. Every 25 December, a mass is celebrated here, bringing together hundreds of participants to celebrate Christmas.

Ermita de San Julián de Andriá
This hermitage consists of a simple stone wall enclosing the cavity, with a door and two windows. Inside is an altar with statues of San Julián, the Virgen del Pilar (who is said to have appeared on 2 January 39 in Zaragoza) and San Lorenzo (the patron saint of Huesca). The Hermitage of San Julián de Andriá dates back to the 11th century. A pilgrimage takes place there on Pentecost Sunday.