Spain - Sierra De Gredos
These rides are south of the region of Castile and León, some 170km from Madrid, where the granite rocks of the Sierra de Gredos mountains lie.
The Castles of the Gredos Mountains, Gredos to Salamanca Ride, and the Four Valleys ride, are all trail rides where you can expect to stay at multiple accommodations. The Crystalline Waters of Gredos ride is a centre based option where all six nights are spent at the same hotel.
Ávila, in Castile and León, is the location of these trails. Lakes, gorges, crags, meadows, fountains, rivers like the Tormes with its crystalline waters, and walls of stone, all form part of the Sierra de Gredos Mountains, whose highest peak is Almanzor, at 2,592m.
Long hours in the saddle allow you to explore this remote location and journey through the mountain passes. The riding is through very varied scenery; from pine, oak, chestnut, and birch forests in the mountains – to low level stream and river crossings in the valleys – to climbing high along the rocky and sweeping uplands. Along the way you come across remote stone-built villages with residents coming to wave hello as you ride by.
All the trails are personally guided by the experienced owner Emilio Rodriguez. Emilio is a quiet man and rider and has a special ability to relate well to his horses leading to even tempered, confident and well-mannered horses that are a pleasure to ride and be around. At the front he quietly guides you each day, allowing you the chance to breathe the air, listen to the birdlife and take in the wonderful scenery you pass through. His wife, Mamen, works hard behind the scenes to ensure you are met at various points each day, as well and ensuring everything is moved accordingly throughout the trail.
You could be riding for between four to eight hours each day, so it is important to be riding fit. The pace is leisurely with trots and canters being where it is safe to do so and in line with the distance being covered for the day.
The horses are a credit to Emilio and Mamen, and the happy environment they live and train in. Many of the horses are homebred, and all are nicely schooled and responsive. They are ridden in bitless bridles and Emilio encourages everyone to not just ride in the same order all the time.
Riders need to be of Intermediate Plus level: Confident and in control on a forward going horse at a steady canter in the open over uneven ground in a group situation. Has ridden for a number of years.
They are mix of Hispano-Arab, Spanish, Andalucian PRE and Andalucian crosses ranging in height from around 15hh to 16.2hh. They are comfortable to ride, with an enthusiastic walk and an easy canter.
The saddles are comfortable Spanish branded leather GP types. Seat savers and saddle bags are also available.
You may be required to help at the end of each ride with feeding, grooming, and un-tacking your horse, but help and guidance is always on hand.
The accommodation along the way varies from comfortable guesthouses, to small hotels in towns and villages. These are often family owned establishments who are proud to welcome you. You will have dinner in either a local restaurant or at the guesthouse you stay at that evening.
Most bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, but some accommodations have two bedrooms to a bathroom.
The food is considered highlight for many, with fresh homemade Spanish dishes provided by Mamen, along with refreshing tapas breaks consisting of olives, nuts, Iberian ham and the cheese of La Mancha. Lunchtime is a leisurely and social affair with simple home cooked Spanish dishes such as paella or tortilla, accompanied with salads, fruits, and breads along with wine and tinto de verano. After eating you can siesta with the horses, or go for a cooling swim in the sunshine (depending on your lunch stop location). As is the Spanish way, dinner is late at around 21:00 with a selection of different Spanish dishes to choose from.
If you are looking to ride earlier in the year, perhaps the rides in Extremadura or the Transhumance may be of interest.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 25 May 2025 - 31 May 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 1 Jun 2025 - 7 Jun 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Gredos to Salamanca Ride | 8 Jun 2025 - 14 Jun 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,716.51 |
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Book | |
| Crystalline Waters of Gredos | 6 Jul 2025 - 12 Jul 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,604.37 |
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Book | |
| Crystalline Waters of Gredos | 13 Jul 2025 - 19 Jul 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,604.37 |
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Book | |
| Crystalline Waters of Gredos | 20 Jul 2025 - 26 Jul 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,604.37 |
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Book | |
| Crystalline Waters of Gredos | 3 Aug 2025 - 9 Aug 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,604.37 |
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Book | |
| Crystalline Waters of Gredos | 10 Aug 2025 - 16 Aug 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,604.37 |
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Book | |
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 24 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 7 Sep 2025 - 13 Sep 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Gredos to Salamanca Ride | 14 Sep 2025 - 20 Sep 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,716.51 |
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Book | |
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 21 Sep 2025 - 27 Sep 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Gredos to Salamanca Ride | 5 Oct 2025 - 11 Oct 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,716.51 |
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Full | |
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 12 Oct 2025 - 18 Oct 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Gredos to Salamanca Ride | 19 Oct 2025 - 25 Oct 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,716.51 |
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Book | |
| Castles of the Gredos Mountains | 9 Nov 2025 - 15 Nov 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book | |
| Gredos to Salamanca Ride | 16 Nov 2025 - 22 Nov 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,716.51 |
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Book | |
| Crystalline Waters of Gredos | 23 Nov 2025 - 29 Nov 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,604.37 |
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Book | |
| Four Valleys | 30 Nov 2025 - 6 Dec 2025 | 6 nights 6 ngts | £1,630.25 |
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Book |
INCLUDES Accommodation; full board (including wine with meals); airport transfers at a set time from Madrid airport.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT The single supplement is always payable but it is refunded if you are willing to share and we can find you a sharer for you. Single room requests are subject to availability and not guaranteed. The single supplement is £181.14 for all rides.
SMALL GROUP SUPPLEMENT
Two riders needed to confirm Crystalline Waters of Gredos, Castles of the Gredos Mountains, and Four Valleys.
Three riders needed to confirm Gredos to Salamanca.
€150 per person if two people in the group
€100 per person if three people in the group
PAYABLE LOCALLY Entrance fees to Museums and Monuments; drinks/snacks in bars; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; tips (c. €35 - €50); small group supplements.
NEAREST AIRPORT Madrid.
TRANSFERS Shared transfers (set time only) are included from Madrid airport. If you cannot meet these shared transfer times taxis can be arranged at an additional cost (payable locally).
The meeting point is in Madrid Airport at 15:00 and so your flight should be scheduled to arrive before 14:00.
You will be transferred to your first night's accommodation.
The transfer back to the airport will arrive at Madrid Airport at about 12:00 so flights should depart after 14:00.
The Sierra de Gredos are around 2.5 hours west of Madrid.
The climate in this region of Spain is continental with hot, dry summers and mild winters.
For anyone who would like to see and experience rural Spain, on beautiful horses, with wonderful hosts and hospitality, this is the holiday for you!
Fiona
Overall rating: 4/5
