Sierra of Gredos rides summary
We offer three exciting riding itineraries in the Sierra of Gredos in Spain: The Valley de Gredos ride, the Spring and Summer Special in the mountains of the Sierra de Gredos and Autumn Special Across the Gredos mountains.
The Sierra of Gredos is one of the most characteristic regions of the Iberian Peninsula situated between the provinces of Avila, Caceres and Salamanca, and crossed by the Duero and Tajo rivers. 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.
Riding in Andalusia Summary
In Andalusia it is still possible to ride through the most unimaginable landscapes for several days, combining nature with the most ancient traditions. To the Southwest of Sevilla, you will ride on the pilgrimage roads to El Rocío. Leaving from the south of Sevilla, you will stay at some beautiful and traditional country houses, with all the charm of the old times. You will ride by the environs of the Doñana National Park. The landscape of this area is of great diversity: forests of pine and savin, eucalyptus and cork oaks, dunes, marshlands and preserves. Thousands of birds come to spend the winter here. You will ride on sand tracks, ancient bridle paths, and get to El Rocío, named the International village of the horse. All the houses have stables and all the streets are sand tracks. In the times of the pilgrimage, this village hosts thousands of horses – many of them Andalusian stallions. A unique natural area, full of the most authentic traditions, the kingdom of the Andalusian horse.
The Andalusian horse is spirited, strong, temperamental and of unquestionable courage. The counterpoint of these qualities is its docility, being a very sensitive horse, obedient and easy to handle. The Andalusian horse possesses, through inheritance, a measured and balanced command of its movements and it is a delight to ride. During this ride a visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre en Jerez (the Royal Spanish School of Equestrian art) can be organised.
Segovia: History at a canter summary
The province of Segovia is in Central Spain, in the Meseta, the great high plateau of the Iberian Peninsula. It is situated between the provinces of Madrid, Guadalajara, Soria, Burgos, Valladolid and Avila, in the region of Castilla y Leon. The Segovia ride is a journey back in history, through open landscapes, ancient woods, and river valleys. What makes this ride unique is the exceptional combination of historic sites accessible on horseback with the open and unspoilt Castilian countryside ideal for riding…. It really is history at a canter.
You will explore on horses some jewels of the Spanish history, the castles of Pedraza and Castilnovo, the romanesque churches of Sotosalbos and Sepulveda, the royal site of La Granja de San Ildefonso, with its grand baroque palace and its beautiful gardens. This ride will take you through very diverse natural landscapes, from the alpine views of the Sierra de Guadarrama, to the old transhumance trails and the open grazing fields, the ancient Valsain forests of pines, oaks, holm oaks and holly bush, where the Spanish kings used to hunt bears and wild boars, and through the vast grain fields, the Eresma river valley and the gorges of the Duraton river nature reserve.
The terrain is excellent for riding and the horses are very fit. There are plenty of opportunities for long trots and canters, so this can be quite a active ride, if the riders wish to go for it!
The quality of the accommodation is outstanding, with hotels in great locations and full of character. A 4* hotel built in an ancient convent in the heart of the city, a 4* National Parador in La Granja, a grand medieval castle Castilnovo, and charming and exquisite country hotels in the villages. The ride starts and ends in the medieval city of Segovia, World Heritage Town by the UNESCO, which boasts a magnificent cultural heritage including the colossal Roman Aqueduct from the 1st century AD, one of the greatest in Europe, with 163 arches and 29m at its highest point, and the Alcazar Fortress with its stunning views of the city, among other great attractions. Maria Elena will ride with you in this new adventure that she organises with some excellent stables from Segovia.
Unknown views of Menorca ride summary
The Unknown Views of Menorca ride takes you along this Camí de Cavalls, and it allows a really unique access to the unspoilt Menorcan coast, rather inaccessible from inland. The views of the Mediterrannean turquoise waters are breathtaking. When you ride “round the corner” on the Camí de Cavalls and the sea appears in front of you… literally, it does take your breath away! Riding along this route is also a privileged way of diving into the history of Menorca: remains of Megalithic, Roman, Vandal, Byzantine and Moslem civilisations, the medieval Christian conquest of 1287, British and French have all left their mark. It is a slow ride and the terrain is difficult and some passages can be complicated. This slow pace allows you a further insight into Menorca’s diversity, embody all the scents that the breeze carries and feel immersed in the intense colours of its skies and beaches.
The ride is a 5 day ride, following the “Camí de Cavalls”. The first three days you will ride on the Northern coast, wild and inaccessible, from West to East, and the following two days, you will ride on the Southern coast, from East to West, which is a more sheltered coast, with more human presence, but where you will find some unspoilt beaches and very attractive inland landscapes.
Please contact us for the current itineraries, fact sheet, price and availability for this ride
