Summer horse riding holidays, horseback trails and equestrian vacation in Spain

THE CANYONS OF THE SIERRA DE GUARA NATURAL PARK

Day 1
Arrival at La Mallata inn, in the evening, presentation of the trip-plan and of the horses. Dinner and sleeping accommodation at the inn.

Day 2
Socialisation step: from Nocito, we’ll climb to the crests of the Sierra d’Aineto on mule paths, through the San Urbez hermitage and the Pardina Bail; then we’ll come back to Nocito through the uninhabited villages of Abellada and Azpe. Accommodation at La Mallata following a 5h30 ride.

Day 3
We’ll ride eastward through the villages of Used, Bara and Nazarre, with its superb little rural Roman 11th century church. After riding across the Otin plateau, we’ll walk about 45 minutes down to the magnificent Mascun canyon, an impressive set of stone cathedrals. After riding along trhe bottom of the canyon, we’ll head up to Rodellar for accommodation in a bed-and-breakfast following a 6-hour ride (shared bathrooms for some rooms).

Day 4
We’ll ride along the Pedruel valley and the Trensus canyon towards the Fuente Tamara, then along the Peonera canyon. We’ll leave the tough sierra landscapes and canter across the Bierge plateau through olive and almond groves. We’ll arrive above the wonderful medieval Alquezar cathedral, overlooking the Vero canyon. Accommodation in a hotel with double-bed rooms following a 7-hour ride.

Day 5
After visiting the charming village of Alquezar, we’ll ride up to the Meson de Sevil, a spectacular ride in the sierra de Sevil on transhumance trails overlooking the dark bottom of the Balces canyon from over 800m up, accompanied by tawny vultures which are numerous on those ridges. Accommodation at Paules in a bed-and-breakfast following a 5-hour ride.

Day 6
We’ll ride up to the crests of the Tozal de Surta across the upper streams of Balces and Mascun canyons, through the villages of Las Bellostas and Bagueste; then we’ll head for Bara across the Otin and Nazarre plateaux where we’ll leave the horses for the night. A short transportation in 4WDs will take us back to Nocito for accommodation at La Mallata following a 6-hour ride

Day 7
After a half-hour drive in the 4WDs to the horses, we’ll ride up a 900m difference in elevation, up to the Tozal de la Cabeza, a breathtaking overhanging balcony. To the North, we can see the Pyrenees range, below our feet the Gorgas Negras canyon and to the South the large Ebro plain. After riding across the Fenales plateau, we’ll go back to Nocito for the last night at la Mallata.

Day 8
After breakfast departure of the riders.

There are two departures with special bridwatching sessions schedulled during the ride with a spanish specialist of the regional birds. Please contact us for detailled programme !

SIERRE DE GUARA VALLEYS AND RIOS

On this trail we explore the wilderness in the north of the park guara, ride through numerous abandoned villages, encounter fresh water springs, (plenty opportunity to bathe- weather perlitted) and we return to our hotel La Mallata every evening, where the non-riders who have come on the trip rejoin us.

Day 1
Arrival at the hotel by the end of the afternon, get acquainted with your horse and fellow riders. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2
We climb to the monastery of San, close to dolmen d'Ibirque, wher we come across an abandoned village along the crest, before we make the descent to Nocito on the barranco Bail.
(5 1/2 hours riding).

Day 3
Today we ride through the valley of Guatizalema, climbing to the plateau de las Paules. On foot we descend into the Cienfuens gorge, and from there we ride around the lake Santa Maria, near to some beautiful natural water-basins. We finish our journey close to the village of Belsue were we leave the horses for the night.
Transfert to Nocito.
(6 hours in the saddle).

Day 4
After we have crossed the valley of Belsue we climb to the top of Traversada to arrive in the wilderness of the Flumen Valley. We cross the dam in order to climb close to Lucera and return to Nocito via the collado Barbero and the pardina d'orlado.
(6 hrs riding).

Day 5
We depart to the north through the abandoned village of d'Azpe and the mountain tops of Serrato, before we descend in the Barranco de Binuestre and the splendid clear water reservoirs of l'Alcanadre, close to village of Bara, where we leave the horses for the night. Transfert to Nocito.
(6 hours on horseback).

Day 6
Climbing to the Plateau d'Otin to reach the Saltadode Las Lanas, a large waterfall wich marks the impressive Canyon de Mascun. We return towards Barapar, through the abandoned village of Nasare wich features a beautiful 11th Century Chapel, recently restored. Again we leaves the horses close to Bara before we transfer by car to Nocito. Transfert to Nocito.
(6 1/2 hrs riding).

Day 7
From the Barranco d'Used we begin the long climb through the high altitude meadows, close to the crest of the Sierra da Guara from where we have a panoramic view, enabling us to see to the north the snow capped Pyrenees and to the South the vast plains of Ebre. We descend towards Nocito over the Plateau de la Paul and the Barranco Cuello
(6 hours riding)

Day 8
After breakfast, riders's departure.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

Extension stay in a 3 or 4* hotel in Barcelona

What about staying a few days in the proud catalan capital Barcelona after your ride ? Land of artistic expression in any shape or form: Picasso museum, Miro's foundation, Gaudi's masterpiece spraeded out in the whole city with its casas, the batlo and Milo, Park Güell, Sagrada Familia... Barcelona has also a rich historical heritage, that you'll discover going all over the gothic area and visiting its magnificient XIIth century gothic cathedral. But more than this, the the city cannot hide its mediterranean roots and the way of life prevailing in. It's a recognize place, perfect for farniente: sunbathing day on one of the several beaches of the city before partying in one of the restaurant or bar ligning the seaside.
That for we offer you to spend as many nights as you want to discover and enjoy the city at your pace in a central 3 or 4* hotel, including breakfast.

Cf. "Options" section below for detailled prices.

This is just a suggestion, feel free to contact us if you have any other ideas or for any advices !

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
Hispano-Arabs and Arab pure-breds raised throughout the year in the sierra, tough, amazingly sure-footed, at ease at any pace. Shoulder height : 1.48m (4ft 11in) to 1.58m (5ft 3in).

Tack
Feeling comfortable at the horse’s various paces
Being physically able to ride for 5 to 7 hours
Some steep down grades require the riders to walk with reins in hand.
Hiking experience is recommended, for the physical challenges (varied grounds, weather…) as well as for the spirit (life in a small group, isolation…)

Required riding experience
Feeling comfortable at the horse’s various paces
Being physically able to ride for 5 to 7 hours
Some steep down grades require the riders to walk with reins in hand.
Hiking experience is recommended, for the physical challenges (varied grounds, weather…) as well as for the spirit (life in a small group, isolation…)