We GUARANTEE you won't find the same horse riding holiday at a lower price through any other source... and if you do, we promise to refund the difference!
from £815 or €720
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We can also facilitate non riders on these trips, please contact us for non riding rates which are slightly lower.
Note: Rates are subject to daily exchange rate fluctuations, please refer to our ‘Terms & Conditions’ for full details.
Included – All riding, full board accommodation, aperitifs, wine and beer at meal times and transfers.
Excluded – Flights & tips.
Getting There
International flight to Barajas airport, Madrid.
Transfer
The transfer is included in the price and you will be picked up no later than 3pm at the airport. On departure you will be dropped off at the airport midday.
Remember our Horse Riding Holidays GUARANTEE. You won’t find these Horse Riding Holidays (or any of our Horse Riding Holidays) at a lower price through any other source… and if you do we will refund the difference.
Join Emilio Rodriguez as your local guide on a Spanish riding holiday of a lifetime through the stunning Gredos Mountains in central Spain, 3 hours drive west of Madrid. He’s an expert horseman originally from this area, who has ridden all over the world and uses sympathetic techniques to train his herd of beautiful Andalucian and Hispano-Arab horses. You’ll find them happy, confident and forward going mounts, that enjoy their work and are thoroughly adored by their owner. His partner Mamen brings up the rear and makes sure you are very well fed and watered throughout, her picnic tables are legendary and a welcome sight at the end of long morning riding.
There are a variety of different moving trail rides available throughout the year. They have all been very well researched, and the most popular of them is the Castles of Gredos. It’s one of Emilio’s favourites, possibly because on the 3rd day, you arrive in the town of Barco de Avila where he was born. Here, he’ll recount stories of him and his brother riding their horses, Cuco and Rifeno, rounding up and moving their grandfathers cattle.
The riding through the mountains is nothing short of beautiful and you’ll enjoy a mix of pace, including lots of cantering. Lunchtimes are joyous, with tasty picnics offering fresh baked bread with local cheese and hams. In the late afternoons after crossing through rivers and riding through villages, you’ll arrive at your very comfortable, locally owned hotels and enjoy a typical Castilan dinner, accompanied by great Spanish wines.
Gredos : Horses – Andalusians and Hispanic-Arabs, which Emilio has bred himself, broken and trained. They range in size from 15.2hh to 16.2hh.
Gredos : Level of Riding & Pace – Intermediate to Advanced.
Tack – English saddles, with leather seat savers and mostly snaffle and rubber pelhams.
Gredos : Weight Restriction – 14 stone / 198 lb / 90 kg.
Gredos : Group Size – Maximum 8.
There’s a real mix of accommodation, some are rustic guest houses and others luxurious hotels. All of them offer really comfortable rooms with ensuite, a warm welcome and great castilian food.
Horse Riding Holidays like our Gredos riding holidays are part of the Zara’s Planet collection of Horse Riding Holidays Spain.
Please Ask About
Castles of Gredos Mountains Itinerary
This is Emilio’s favourite ride because on day 3 you ride into the village where he was born.
DAY 1 MADRID-NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hours drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in Navarredonda de Gredos, a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
DAY 2 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS-NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES
Distribution of horses. Will be a short and comfortable day, is time to meet the horses, riding through the Tormes valley and pine forest, open fields with great views of Gredos Mountains. Lunch at fisherman´s hut with an excellent paella, cooked at the spot, beside the river Tormes where is possible swimming in Summer. Short afternoon to Navacepeda de Tormes. Night and dinner at a local hotel. Time on the saddle 4 h.
DAY 3 NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES-BARCO DE AVILA
The longest day and the most beautiful views of Gredos Mountains, we will ride down the valley riding through small and remote medieval villages. Lunch at Aliseda de Tormes, beside the Tormes river and its medival bridge. In the afternoon we will ride down the opened valley with a different landscape around with good trots and canters to El Barco de Ávila. We will cross the river Tormes by the roman bridge in El Barco de Avila, a 12th century village with a Castle from that time. Night and dinner at 4* hotel. Time on the saddle 6.5 h.
DAY 4 EL BARCO DE AVILA-HOYORREDONDO
We will ride to Salamanca province, a beautiful flat and dry area, with incredible granite formations. Very rural region, fields with stone walls, where we can see farmers riding donkeys. The landscape today changes again, the riding is through holm oaks woods and pastures, we will cross Puente del Congosto, another medieval village with a 15th century bridge and Castle. Picnic near the river, a very beautiful spot for swimming in Summer. Lunch by the river. In the afternoon funny riding with good canters to Hoyorredondo. Night and dinner at a very beautiful rural Inn, La Trocha de Hoyorredondo, where it is possible to see the horses resting from your bedroom´s window. A magical place. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 5 HOYORREDONDO-NAVACEPEDILLA DE CORNEJA
Good trots and canters in the morning by the flat and open Corneja River Valley to Bonilla de la Sierra, very important Medieval town, with a beautiful church, lunch in privet garden with swimming pool and taste a bbq with Avilan beef steak. In the afternoon we will start climbing back to the mountains. Night and dinner at charming hotel in Navacepedilla de Corneja, time on the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 6 NAVACEPEDILLA-NAVARREDONDA
This is a magnificent mountain riding through 3 different valleys. In the morning we will ride up the mountain to the highest place of the ride, Puerto de Chía (1,800 m), with a magnificent view of the Corneja river valley in the back and the Alberche river valley in the front. Lunch at San Martin de la Vega with the views of the Gredos Mountains, after lunch we will cross the Alberche river and continue to Tormes River valley to get our stables. Night and farewell dinner at the hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos.
DAY 7
Breakfast at hotel, departure at 10 am. To be at Madrid airport at 12 pm.
OPTION 2 – 6 DAYS RIDING
Same itinerary with extra day riding.
DAY 7 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Circle ride with fun riding with good trots and canters along the pine forest and along the Tormes river valley. Excellent picnic in the countryside. In the afternoon riding back to the stables after lunch. Night and farewell dinner at the same rural hotel as the previous day.
DAY 8
Breakfast at hotel, departure at around 10 am. To be at Madrid airport at 12 pm.
Four Valleys Trail Itinerary
Riding through the highest places in the mountains, crossing small valleys with very beautiful views of Sierra de Gredos. A slower pace than other itineraries, but still with opportunities to trot and canter during the week. The terrain does not allow for trotting and cantering in many areas instead we enjoy walking with breath taking views all around.
DAY 1 MADRID – NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hours’ drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in Navarredonda de Gredos, a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
DAY 2 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS- CUEVAS DEL VALLE (Tietar river valley)
Distribution of horses at the stables. We cross the mountains through Puerto del Arenal following the very old path which was used like a commercial way from north to south of the Gredos Mountains. Amazing views of the Tietar river valley from top of the mountains. Night in very nice rural inn “El rinconcito de Gredos” in Cuevas del Valle. Time on the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 3 CUEVAS DEL VALLE –PUERTO DEL PICO-SAN MARTÍN DEL PIMPOLLAR (Alberche river valley)
We ride through the Roman Road (II century B.C.) to join the Cañada Real, very important medieval paths drovers for Merino sheep Transhumance, we will get Puerto del Pico, with magnificent views of the Tietar River Valley, after a tapas-break we continue riding along the Alberche River Valley. Beautiful lunch beside the river. We will get San Martín del Pimpollar on the Alberche River valley. Night at casa rural “Las cuatro calles”. Time on the saddle 5 hours.
DAY 4 SAN MARTÍN DEL PIMPOLLAR- SAN MARTÍN DE LA VEGA (Corneja river valley)
Following the Alberche River Valley, we will ride through wild nature in the north side of the mountains. Beautiful landscape, especially in Spring when the broom in bloom. Lunch in the countryside with magnificent views to the highest peaks of Sierra de Gredos. We stop for dinner and night at rural Inn in San Martín de la Vega, time on the saddle 6 ½ hours.
DAY 5 SAN MARTÍN DE LA VEGA – NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES (Tormes river valley)
We are still in the mountains, with pine trees, broom, stone walls, it is the region of the Summer pastures of Avilan cows. We will get very close to the source of the Alberche River. Lunch beside a lagoon. Afternoon riding to Navacepeda through open landscapes with the most beautiful views of Gredos Mountains. Dinner at restaurant, and night at hotel in Navacepeda de Tormes “Capra Hispanica”, time on the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 6 NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES – NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS (Tormes river valley)
Easy and beautiful day, riding following the Tormes River Valley, lunch at fisherman´s hut beside the Tormes River, wonderful spot for swimming. Short afternoon ride and a few fast good canters to finish the ride. Night and dinner at hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos, time on the saddle 5 hours.
DAY 7 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS – MADRID
Breakfast at Hotel. Departure at 10 am to be at Madrid Airport at 12 pm.
Gredos – Salamanca Trail Itinerary
A trail ride crossing Avila province to Salamanca province, on Wednesday to the medieval picturesque town of Candelario in Sierra de Bejar continuing to Salamanca town a world Heritage UNESCO site on the last day.
DAY 1 MADRID – NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hours’ drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in Navarredonda de Gredos, a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
DAY 2 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS – ANGOSTURA DE TORMES
Distribution of horses. Following the Tormes River at the bottom of the valley with beautiful views of Gredos Mountains, lunch at the countryside with luxury picnic, riding in the afternoon downhill to Angostura de Tormes, where the horses spend the night, transfer to El Barco de Ávila for night and dinner in 4* hotel for 2 nights. Time in the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 3 ANGOSTURA DE TORMES – EL BARCO DE AVILA-BECEDAS
Departure after breakfast we will go through the cattle trail to Barco de Avila, a medieval village from 12th century with a roman bridge and castle. Lunch beside the bridge over the Tormes river with beautiful views to the medieval castle. In the afternoon riding to Sierra de Bejar and Becedas, the last village in Avila province, where the horses spend the night. We transfer the riders to El Barco de Ávila. Time in the saddle 7 hours.
DAY 4 BECEDAS – CANDELARIO
This day is short (half day) from Becedas to Candelario we will go through villages of peculiar feature. Afternoon free to visit Candelario, a picturesque village, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. The church, walk up the steep streets and walk along the channels that collect water from the mountains, magnificent examples of architecture. Dinner and night at charming rural Inn “Artesa”, in the centre of the town. Accommodation and an excellent restaurant where you can taste the most traditional Castilian cuisine. Time in the saddle 4 hours.
DAY 5 CANDELARIO – NEILA DE SAN MIGUEL-GUIJO DE AVILA
Northward to Salamanca through Puerto de la Hoya, we will get Neila de San Miguel and stop for tapas-break at very special church. Lunch at Medinilla. In the afternoon the landscape is open and flat and we will reach the Occidental Cañada Soriana, one of the main paths in Medieval Spain. We will spend the night at Guijo de Avila at a rural complex in very comfortable cabins, with nice views of the Tormes River. Time in the saddle 6 ½ hours.
DAY 6 GUIJO DE AVILA – HORCAJO MEDIANERO
We will cross the Tormes River by Santa Teresa´s dam, a huge water reservoir. We will ride all day through the Dehesas of Salamanca with holm oaks woods, bulls, and black Iberian pigs. Lunch by small river. In the afternoon funny canters through the Dehesa and holm oaks to Horcajo Medianero. Night and dinner at monastery of Valdejimena with horses very close to us. You stay in a very special place, a chapel, and then you might have to share a bathroom. Time in the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 7 HORCAJO MEDIANERO – ALBA DE TORMES
This day is a half day riding in morning along the Eastern lands of the province with beautiful and clear horizons bathed by waters of the Tormes River, lunch near Alba de Tormes. The history of Alba de Tormes is linked to Santa Teresa´s life and death, where the body rests in one of the convents. This is the end of the ride. Time in the saddle 4 hours. The horses travel back home by truck and we transfer riders to Salamanca town, 20 min driving. In the afternoon you can walk along the streets of this historical town, world heritage by UNESCO, visit the most important monuments, The Plaza Mayor with its arcades is particularly impressive. Dinner at a restaurant located at the Plaza Mayor. Night in the heart of Salamanca at a 4* hotel.
DAY 8 SALAMANCA – MADRID
After breakfast, departure from Salamanca at 10 pm, on time for flights, departing Madrid after 2 pm. All riders will be transferred at the same time, so if any rider needs to arrive at Madrid before noon, we can arrange transfer (at extra cost).
Crystalline Waters of Gredos Itinerary
This is a stationary summer ride with relaxing full days riding from Navarredonda de Gredos in different directions every day, changing landscapes and opportunities for swimming in the crystalline waters of Gredos Mountains. On one day in the middle of the week we ride on a mini trail to a different village. The summer in Gredos is perfect for excellent riding holidays due to the altitude, Navarredonda is at 1,600 m, so even in July or August is not too hot for full days riding and perfect for swimming in the fresh waters at lunch stops.
DAY 1 MADRID-NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hours’ drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in Navarredonda de Gredos, a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
DAY 2 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS-SAN MARTÍN DEL PIMPOLLAR
Easy day from Navarredonda to the mountains riding through summer pastures, lunch stop by the river near San Martín del Pimpollar with an excellent pic-nic cooked at the spot. In the afternoon riding through the pine woods with good canters and trots coming back to the stables. Time in the saddle 5 hours. Dinner at rural hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos.
DAY 3 NAVARREDONDA – LAGUNA CAÑADA DEL GALLO
Riding in the morning to Cañada del Gallo lagoon with some great views of the peaks of Gredos with great canters in open landscape. Riding down to the Tormes valley for another luxury picnic with an excellent paella cooked at the spot with opportunity for swimming. After a relaxing lunch break riding back to the stables with some good canters. Night and dinner at the hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos.
DAY 4 NAVARREDONDA – BARBELLIDO-NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES
In the direction of the highest mountains with stunning views of Gredos, riding up to Puente de las Juntas and down to Barbellido gorge, stop for an excellent lunch with Avilan beef bbq at a fisherman hut, good spot for swimming in crystalline waters of Barbellido gorge. After a relaxing lunch stop, in the afternoon good canters along the pine woods riding to a different hotel in Navacepeda de Tormes. Time in the saddle 6 hours. Night and dinner at rural hotel in Navacepeda de Tormes.
DAY 5 NAVACEPEDA – POZO DE LAS PAREDES – NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Following the Tormes River Valley through Navacepeda, historic town in the mountains to Navalperal for a tapas-break, continuing to Pozo de las Paredes, a 14th century bridge over the Barbellido gorge. Lunch at the beautiful place perfect for swimming. In the afternoon riding along the Tormes river coming back to the stables. Dinner and night at rural hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos. Time in the saddle 6 hours.
DAY 6 NAVARREDONDA-HOYOS DEL ESPINO
Fast morning riding to Hoyos del Espino. Lunch stop and swimming with excellent spot. In the afternoon funny riding with canters through the pine forest. Time in the saddle 5 hours. Night and farewell dinner in Navarredonda de Gredos.
DAY 7 NAVARREDODNA DE GREDOS- MADRID
Breakfast at hotel, departure at 10 to be at Madrid airport at 12pm.
All our horse riding holidays hold a price guarantee. We believe in your piece of mind on price when you book one of our horse riding holidays and will refund the difference should you find the same horse riding holiday elsewhere at a lower price.
If you are having trouble finding exactly the right horse riding holiday for you from our horse riding holidays collection, please contact us directly using the form below and tell us in your own words what you would like to do and we will use our extensive knowledge to make sure we find that perfect horse riding holiday.
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