Spanish riding holidays, Spain

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for the Valley de Gredos ride (Set departures throughout March to October) 

The Sierra of Gredos is one of the most characteristic regions of the Iberian Peninsula situated between the provinces of Avila, Cáceres and Salamanca, and crossed by the Duero and Tajo rivers.  The landscapes are full of light and colour and natures splendour. The Valleys of Gredos trail travels through a very representative part of this region in the province of Avila, truly rural Spain. It is an excellent terrain for riding, mostly open fields with magnificent views and paths that follow the course of rivers. The landscapes are full of light and colour, where wild nature shows its splendour. Riders will be inspired by this National Park's diverse display of flora and fauna through the Tormes, Corneja, Alberche and Tietar river valleys.  Ride up slopes of oak, pine and chestnut trees; cross rivers of pristine waters; discover wildlife from rocky overlooks, and gallop across pastures and open fields. The small villages along the trail display their architecture, their traditions, and the way of life of their people, isolated in this inaccessible nature that shapes their unique character.

Day 1: You will be met on arrival into Madrid and transferred to the small village of Navarredonda de Gredos (approx. 2 hour drive) in the heart of Castile, with splendid views of the Sierra de Gredos. This is a region steeped in history, where the Moors and Christians fought, where Romans built roads that have lasted for centuries. Riders will enjoy a welcome dinner and night at the luxurious National Parador of Gredos (the first Parador opened in Spain).

Day 2:  Full day Circle ride. Back to the Parador. Circle ride from Navarredonda, an easy introductory day, with a picnic lunch in the countryside. Riding in the woods and towards the source of the Tormes River and the mountains of the Sierra de Gredos. A nice small Spa has been open in the next village (5 min away). It is possible to arrange a session in the evening before dinner (It has a small heated pool).

Ride through pine woods, open fields and trails, towards the mountains with great views of the Sierra de Gredos. Picnic lunch in the countryside. In the afternoon ride back to the stables in Navarredonda, returning for dinner and overnight as the previous night. This day is a short ride so riders and horses get used to each other. If any change of horse is necessary it can be done, before leaving the next day and for the rest of the ride.

Day 3: Morning through woods and beautiful meadows in the Tormes river valley. We will follow the course of the Tormes River. Lunch at the Pozo de las Paredes, a magic spot at the gorge of Barbellido, which joins the Tormes River. This spot is ideal for a swim in summer. In the afternoon, riders will follow the cattle path, with great views, to Navalperal the Tormes. This night riders will stay at a new rural hotel: Hotel Rural Cruz del Gallo, new small hotel near the Tormes River.

Day 4: This day it will be a long half day ride. It is a progressive ride to get to El Barco (instead of a circle ride as we did before). We will stay in a country hotel which is outside the town of Barco de Avila. It is a luxurious hotel, which has a spa and heated indoor pool. This day riders will have a free afternoon. They can visit the town of El Barco, or just relax in the hotel.

Half day ride. A ride along the Tormes River valley, along cattle paths, passing the village of Aliseda de Tormes. Riders will appreciate the change in the vegetation as they will approach the small town of El Barco de Avila.  The hotel in Barco de Avila is a country hotel, a luxurious hotel built as a restoration of a ancient country estate. Afternoon free to visit El  Barco de Avila with a 15th century walled village with a medieval bridge stretching over the Tormes. The hotel has a spa and an indoor heated pool, a good chance for a rest to be fresh for the rest of the ride.

Day 5: Today's ride proceeds through holm oaks woods and pastures, following the cattle track between Barco and Hoyorredondo, arriving in Puente del Congosto, with a XVth century bridge and castle for lunch. Picnic near the river - a beautiful spot for a swim in the summer. In the afternoon there will be a short ride to Hoyorredondo. Night at a beautiful and comfortable rural hotel.

Day 6: A day with great contrasts in the landscape. The ride starts in the valley of the Corneja River, open flat valleys until we reach the aperitif stop. We follow the river Corneja to its source, and stop for lunch near one of the water mills along the river. In the afternoon follow a Roman road up to the Puerto de Chia (5,686 feet) for a panoramic view of the Corneja Valley on one side, and the Alberche River on the other. Descend to San Martin de la Vega for the night. Dinner and night at a rural centre.

Day 7: Last day back to the Sierra de Gredos, with some great views of the peaks of the Sierra. Descent towards the Tormes valley where we started. Picnic lunch with panoramic views of the Sierra de Gredos. Short afternoon back to the stables. Night and farewell dinner at the Parador.

Day 8: After breakfast transfer to Madrid, arriving there about 12 noon. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive in Madrid prior to noon, all riders will depart earlier - or we will arrange an alternative transfer (at an extra cost).

Notes:

8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding. Rides run from Sunday to Sunday.

For the Valley de Gredos ride there is a minimum of 6 guests per ride and a maximum of 10 guests per ride.

The price includes transfers from/to Madrid; accommodation in comfortable and charming hotels, including the luxurious Parador of Gredos; days riding with 2 guides; excellent leather English GP saddles (small saddle bags and seat savers are provided; all the meals: excellent gourmet picnic lunches; aperitifs and tapas; dinners in the hotels; all the drinks are included during the meals (white and red wine, sherry a the aperitifs; beer, soft drinks...) A support vehicle and 1 or 2 helpers - to transport the luggage and prepare the lunches (with set tables, chairs, etc).

The price does not include international flights, items of a personal nature. The price also does not include additional beverages, special transfers at times other than scheduled times, and gratuities. Drinks at ‘bars' or hotels outside the meals are extras not included in the cost. 

A single supplement charge is payable if guests require separate accommodation.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which is enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for riding in Spain 

Accommodation: Nights are spent in hotels in villages along the route. On the Gredos ride, the first and last nights are spent at the Parador of Gredos, a hotel belonging to Spain's national chain of Parador hotels chosen for their special building or setting. The Parador of Gredos was built in 1926 as a hunting lodge for Alfonso XIII and was the first establishment in Spain to be converted to a Parador. Other nights are spent in small, comfortable village hotels which are varied in style and character. Some are quite newly built and fairly modern in character whilst others are older, sympathetically converted from some of the area's traditional stone built country houses. In the Extremadura, comfortable, good quality rural hotels are used each night, most of which have lovely gardens and a swimming pool (generally open March to November but early and late in the season this may depend on the weather). Two nights are again spent in a 'Parador', the 14^th century castle at Oropresa with swimming pool and wonderful views of the Gredos mountains. The standard of hotel accommodation varies a little over the course of both rides as there is limited choice in some of the smaller villages but the hotels are all comfortable and of a 2* to good 3* standard. Hotel rooms are twin bedded with private en suite shower and toilet, although single rooms can usually be arranged at a supplement.

Additional information on the area: Non riders can follow the ride if they rent or bring their own vehicle, meeting up with riders in the evenings for dinner and spending nights at the same hotels and lodges. Sometimes it may be possible to also meet up at midday for lunch, but this depends on accessibility of the lunch spot. The cost for a non rider would basically be for accommodation and meals only. This is a tailor-made option so please contact Wild and Exotic for rates. The area of the Gredos is a Natural Park and there is some wonderful walking and hiking. The Tormes river also has good trout fishing from April to August - if you are interested in this please contact us as a permit is required. There is also some excellent birdwatching which is best in May. The region is in the heart of Castille where some of Spain's most historical towns are found. Avila, Segovia, Salamanca and Toledo have all been declared Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. Avila is a medieval town surrounded by walls dating from the 12th Centuries that are still complete. The city is at about 8,125 feet, with 88 towers and 9 entrances. Segovia has many magnificent monuments including a Roman Aqueduct built in the 1st and 2nd Centuries AD and a castle - Alcazar - dating back to the 12th Century where Isabella la Catolica was proclaimed Queen of Castile. Salamanca and crossed by the Tormes river, was conquered by Hannibal in the 3rd Century AD. The university of Salamanca, which was founded in the 12th Century, is the oldest in Spain and one of the oldest in Europe. There are many fascinating monuments to explore. Toledo, the medieval capital of Spain, is one of the most impressive historical - artistic complexes anywhere in the world. The town, perched on a hill and skirted by a sharp bend in the river Tagus has remained largely unaltered since the end of the Middle Ages. Romans, Visigoths and Moors lived there in successive centuries, each leaving a mark in the development of the city. Alfonso VI, king of Castile, conquered the city in 1085 and thenceforth three ethnically distinct communities grew up- Christians, Jews and Moslems all leaving a profound mark on its architecture and culture. Of all cities in the area, Toledo is impregnated with a fascinating history. A few days exploring on foot, with a night or two in the Parador, a 4 * hotel, is a wonderful addition to the ride.         

Clothing: Wild and Exotic will send a clothing list with suggestions of what to bring when you book.

Flights: You need to fly to Madrid for these rides and the meeting point is Madrid-Barajas International Airport. Terminal 4, arrivals gate 10, at the cafeteria Medas (by gate 10) There are several flights a day to Madrid from London. You need to arrive in Madrid by about 2.30 pm (3 pm latest) on the first Sunday and should book a return flight which leaves after 2pm on the final Sunday to allow time for transfers. Fares to Madrid vary between £150 - £220 return, Wild & Exotic can assist if instructed.

Horses: The horses used on these rides are locally bred and most are Arab and / or Andalucian crosses. They average between 15hh and 16hh and are a very enjoyable, responsive and well schooled ride. They are also good natured, nimble but extremely sure footed and well adapted to the going making them a real pleasure to ride. Many of the horses have been bought by Maria Elena and Emilio as youngsters and carefully brought on and schooled by them. They know them very well and are expert at matching horse and rider. Tack is English style with sheepskin saddle covers and saddle bags provided. There is a weight limit of 90kg (14 stone) on these rides.

Itineraries: The daily routine on both rides is generally to set off at about 10am each day riding for a couple of hours before stopping for a rest and drink, and, on days when the mornings ride is quite long, light tapas to keep you going until lunch. You then ride on for about 2 hours before lunch, usually at about 2pm. After lunch and a siesta until about 4pm, you will ride until early evening, stopping at about 6 or 7 pm or sometimes a little later. Examples of the itineraries planned are set out below - but please note that they are only examples of what is planned and your guides may change the day by day route if the weather or other local conditions require - for example during August when it can be quite hot, there may be an evening moonlit ride one day.  Week long rides are scheduled to start on Sundays but if you can fly to Spain earlier, we recommend spending a night beforehand in the historic walled town of Avila, en route from Madrid to the Gredos or in Toledo, close to the start of the Extremadura ride. There are Paradors in both Avila and Toledo and nights here are a lovely way to enjoy a first taste of Spanish lifestyle and culture! We can help book hotels.                                             

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day whilst on the ride (dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last) are included. The local cuisine is simple but good and menus are planned with care to ensure you have the chance to sample different specialities of the area you are visiting (eg. the delicious Avilan beef in the Gredos and lamb stews, roasted suckling pig and "migas" - a typical shepherds dish, in the Extremadura). Breakfast is served at your hotel and is simple - bread or toast, butter, jam and tea or coffee. On some days you will then stop for an 'aperitif' mid morning, with a selection of drinks offered as well as light tapas. Lunch will normally be a substantial picnic eaten in the countryside when you are out riding. It is set out on a table, with chairs provided to sit on, and will often include a selection of salads and a main course such as Spanish omelette, barbecued steak or fish or a delicious Paella prepared for you in the middle of nowhere! Dinner is three courses eaten at your hotel or at a typical local restaurant. A selection of soft drinks, beer, good local wines and tea and coffee are all included with lunch and dinner. Vegetarians can be catered for with prior notice - please tell us of any special diet when you book.

Pace: The pace of the rides will according to the terrain although overall is moderate. Some days on the Gredos ride are quite slow when you ride high up into the mountains and others are quite fast, with long canters on open grassland. The Gredos area is used for endurance riding competitions and there are plenty of open grassy valleys (rather like moorland) where you can canter off-track, as well as wide woodland paths that provide ideal going for fun, fast riding. The going in the Extremadura is good and open, and the riding most days will be at a good, moderate pace with many wide, sandy tracks, the old cattle drover roads, where you can canter. On two days you will ride in the Gredos foothills, where the pace is slower.

Riding: There is usually 5 to 7 hours riding a day, broken up with rests to stretch your legs, for drinks and lunch. Much of the going on both routes is good although there are some steep mountain passes where you may need to dismount to lead your horse, and there will also be some road work each day riding through small villages, where you will be watched by locals who love to see riders on a beautiful horse. The rides are run for a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 (occasionally 11) guests. Maria Elena and / or Emilio will ride with you, with another helper on hand at lunch breaks and to look after the horses in the evenings. Maria Elena speaks fluent English and has spent a lot of time working, travelling and riding in the UK and USA amongst other places. She is well used to English standards of horse care and both she and Emilio are great fun, enthusiastic, easy going and excellent company. They will look after you very well. Luggage is moved for you between accommodation by back up vehicle and a vehicle will also meet you at lunch times.

Riding Experience: These rides are aimed at reasonably experienced riders and to participate you are expected to be a reasonably competent rider, who is comfortable and secure in the saddle and able to control a well schooled horse in open country at all paces. Although you don't need to be an expert rider, you should be used to riding over varied terrain at a varied pace with a group of horses. You should also be quite riding fit as hours can be fairly long and there are plenty of places for long energetic trots and canters.

Terrain: The Gredos rides take you through the four valleys of the Tormes, Corneja, Alberche and Tietar Rivers and along forested slopes of oak, pine and chestnut. Although this is a region of high mountains, there are vast open moorland pastures nestled in the valleys and this rough grassland, which is scattered with craggy rocks and grazed by wild goats, provides wonderful opportunities for long canters. In spring and summer the grasslands are covered in an array of wild flowers and you will ride through a sea of yellow broom catching the scent of wild thyme and lavender on the air as your horse brushes past. On some days you will climb steep mountain paths and on others you ride will along forested river valleys and narrow paths past small isolated villages with age old traditions, architecture and a unique character. There are red-soil plains studded with holm oaks, grassy pastures where black long-horn cows graze and the fertile Tietar river valley in the southern foothills of the Gredos, where there are orchards of cherry trees, olive plantations and chestnut woods that are home to wildlife such as deer, fox and wild boar. The historic towns of Toledo, Oropesa and Talavera make this area of particular cultural interest.

Transfers: Please note when organising flights that there is one set transfer for the group on the first / last day of the rides. If you cannot get to Madrid in time for the pick up or need to arrive in Madrid earlier than noon on the last day, it might be possible for the group to wait a short time / leave a little earlier but you will probably have to pay extra for a private transfer / taxi (we can help arrange this).  

Visas: British passport holders do not need a visa for visits to Spain whatever the length of stay, although for visits of over 90 days residence permits are required. Please check up to date requirements with the Spanish consulate.

Weather: The climate in both areas in summer is usually dry, but as you are close to the mountains the weather can be unstable with rain possible! In the Gredos temperatures are strongly influenced by the altitude which is between 2,275 and 5,525 feet. Day time temperatures in spring are usually around 15 - 20 degrees C; in summer temperatures rise as high as 28 degrees C and in autumn, they average 12 to 18 degrees C. Days are normally sunny with clear blue skies - the sun can be very intense because of the altitude. Evenings are cool and in April, early May and October a warm sweater and warm coat are necessary. The Extremadura is further south and altitudes lower so temperatures are milder - day time temperatures between March and May are around 18 - 23 degrees C and in autumn, 15 to 20 degrees C.