The Sierra of Gredos is one of the most characteristic regions of the Iberian Peninsula and the heart of Castile. It is located between the provinces of Avila, Caceres and Salamanca, crossed by the Duero and Tajo rivers.

The Gredos ride will take you through a very representative part of the Sierra in the province of Avila. This isolated region is one of the wildest and less populated areas of Spain. It's an excellent terrain for riding, offering a great diversity of landscapes. Land is full of light and colours, where wild nature shows its splendour.

Day 1 : Madrid - Navarredonda de Gredos
Arrival in Madrid airport. Welcome and transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos (2 hours drive), a small village in the heart of Castille with a splendid view 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 Gredos National Parador.

Day 2 : Navarredonda de Gredos
Ride throught 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 : Navarredonda de Gredos - Navalperal the Tormes
Morning through woods and beautiful meadows in the Tormes river valley. Lunch at a fishermann hut, by the river, where Emilio will cook an excellent paella. This spot is ideal for a swim in summer. In the afternoon, riders will follow the cattle path to Navalperal the Tormes. This night riders will stay at a new rural hotel, near the Tormes river.

Day 4 : Navalperal the Tormes - El Barco de Avila
Half day ride. A ride along the Tormes river valley, along cattle paths, passing the village of Aliseda de Tormes; Riders will appreciate in 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 restoratin 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 river. 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 6 : Hoyorredondo - San Martin de la Vega
A day with great contrast 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.

Day 7 : San Martín de la Vega - Navarredonda de Gredos
Last day back to the Sierra de Gredos, with some great views of the peaks of the Sierra. descent towards the Tormes valles where we started. Lunch near the river. Short afternoon back to the stables, with a chanc for some good canters inthe valley. Night at farewell dinner at the Parador.

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

THE SIERRA OF GREDOS SUMMER

The centre of Spain hides steep relief, perched villages above rivers, huddled around stone-fountains…

Through the Tormes, Corneja and Alberche river valleys, you will follow ancient cattle tracks; gallop across pastures and open fields with magnificent views; ride up slopes of oaks, pines and chestnut trees; cross rivers of pristine waters; overlook rocks to discover wild goats.

The small villages show their architecture, their traditions and the way of life of their people, isolated in this inaccessible nature that shapes their unique character.

Day 1 : Madrid - Navarredonda de Gredos
Transfer from Madrid (Pick up at 3pm at the airport) to the Parador of Gredos
Meet in Madrid and transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos (2 hour drive), a small village in the heart of Castile with a splendid view 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.

Day 2 : Navarredonda de Gredos. Full day Circle ride
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.
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 to the hotel.

Day 3 : Navarredonda de Gredos - San Martin de la Vega
Day ride to the Alberche river valley, with a great part of the day riding in the open countryside though the alpine valleys of Navarquita. Picnic lunch near the Alberche river. Dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 4 : San Martin de la Vega - Navacepeda - Navalperal de Tormes
Long day ride. In the morning ride ascent to the open alpine valleys toward la Herguijuela and the lagoon Laguna Cantagallo. Descent to Navacepeda de Tormes, for lunch at the gorge of Barbellido, a the Pozo de la Paredes, ideal for a swim. Afternoon to Navalperal de Tormes. Dinner and night.

Day 5 : Navalperal de Tormes. Full day circle ride into the mountains
Day ride into the heart of the Sierra de Gredos, climbing the gorge fo Cinco Lagunas (five lagoons). Picnic in the open countryside with the greatest views (no vehicle access) Descent back to the hotel in Navalperal.

Day 6 : Navalperal de Tormes - Navarredonda de Gredos
Morning ride along the valley and the Tormes river. Picnic lunch by the river, at a beautiful pool ideal for a swim. In the afternoon ride back to Navarredonda de Gredos through the pinewoods. Farewell dinner and night at the hotel.

Day 7 : Navarredonda de Gredos - Avila.
After breakfast transfer the historical centre of monumental Ávila, backing onto the majestic city walls.

Avila is one of the World Heritage Cities of Spain, one of the 660 cultural sites in the world that the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.

Avila is a medieval town, surrounded by walls constructed in the 11th and 12th century (2500m, 88 towers, 9 gates) to protect the Spanish territories from the Moors. The walls are still complete nowadays. Avila is the "City of Saints and Stones". The birthplace of St Theresa and the burial place of the Grand Inquisitor Torquemada. Avila has kept its medieval austerity. This purity of form can still be seen in the Gothic cathedral and the fortifications which are the most complete in Spain. Charming squares and beautiful quiet pedestrian streets for a very pleasant walk around this old historic town.
Dinner and night in hotel.

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

To Notice : a Deluxe version is available on this itinerary, with an upgraded accommodation : 4 nights in Parador. Please check the price in the "options" section below.

Extension stay in Madrid

After your trail enjoy a stay in Madrid, you will discover in live the spanish "Movida" ... We offer to book as many night as you want in a central 3 or 4* hotel, with breakfast, to be free to enjoy Madrid as you want to .
cf. "Options" section for detailled prices.

This is just a suggestion, fell free to contact us for any other project or for any other advices !

Horses
Andalusian and Arab crosses ranging in height from 1,50 - 1,65m. All horses have been carefully selected for their good nature and endurance. The trainer takes great pride in the quality and the character of the horses and is adept in matching horse and rider.
They are docile but strong, and well-adapted to the terrain.

Tack
English saddles with seat savers. Small saddle bags available.

Required riding level
Being an expert rider is not compulsory, but it is essential that riders have trail riding experience, can easily manage a horse at all paces and be familiar and comfortable handling a horse on the ground. The pace of the ride will vary, but the ride includes walks, trots, canters and gallops depending on the terrain. You should be quite fit to join this ride, as two days (days 4 & 7) are quite long - about seven hours in the saddle - depending on the pace, of course.
We cannot accept riders over 90kg on this itinerary.
The guide is risponsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
For your safety, we recommend always to wear a riding helmet while on horseback.

The trail rides are supervised by experienced local guides. Your luggage will be transported by support vehicle from a stage to another.

The valley of Gredos :
Quality and charm of accomodation are one of the assets of this horses riding trail.
Night 1-2&7: National Parador of Gredos
Night 3: New charming small hotel, great views and a place for the horses next to the hotel.
Night 4: New country hotel, a restoration of an old country property. Outside the town of El Barco de Avila, in the aera near the river where they grow the well-known white beans. It has luxurious rooms, a heated indoor pool and a spa. It has a good field for the horses too.
Night 5: Beautiful and comfotable rural hotel.
Night 6: New hotel in San Martin dela Vega.

The Sierra of Gredos summer:
All nights are spent in nice and confortable two stars hotels.

- Single supplement : 180 euros
Applies if you travel alone and we do not find another rider to share your room. If you are willing to share and we find another rider to share with you, we will refund this supplement.

Applies if you travel alone and we do not find another rider to share your room. If you are willing to share and we find another rider to share with you, we will refund this supplement.

- the trail ride as it is described, in twin bedded rooms with full board
- the transfers from the airport of Madrid
- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval

- flight tickets to Madrid.
- the organisation of a possible tour through the region before or after the trail ride.
- any other prestation
- insurrance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation). You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company - More information.