Sierra de Gredos
Travel west following the Tormes river valley, through breathtaking landscapes which differ each day – from medieval villages full of history, to the tops of rocky mountains, to stunning valleys. This trail is in the south of the region of Castile and León, some 170 kilometres from Madrid, where the granite rocks of the Sierra de Gredos mountains lie. 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 at 2,592 metres.
The higher altitude of these rides mean the temperatures are considerably cooler than Madrid so even in August the weather is pleasant for riding and not too hot. 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 Gredos Mountains, stream and river crossings in the valleys, and climbing high up the hillsides along rocky uplands, taking in the clean air and stunning views. Along the way you come across remote villages, with stone-built houses and streets.
itinerary
Day 1: Madrid to Navarredonda de Gredos
Your adventure begins at Madrid Airport (meeting time: 3:00 PM). From here, take a scenic 2.5-hour transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos. Along the way, you will pause for a short visit to Ávila, a breathtaking medieval walled town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel in a mountain village perched at 1,600 meters, offering stunning views of the highest peaks in the Sierra de Gredos.
Day 2: Navarredonda de Gredos to Navacepeda de Tormes
After matching with your horse, you will set off on a relaxed first day to get acquainted with your mount. You’ll ride through the lush Tormes Valley, pine forests, and open fields boasting panoramic mountain views. Lunch is a true highlight - an authentic, freshly cooked paella served at a fisherman’s hut beside the River Tormes (with a chance for a summer swim!). A short afternoon ride brings you to Navacepeda de Tormes. The horses stay here for the night, while you transfer back to the first hotel for dinner.
Day 3: Navacepeda de Tormes to El Barco de Ávila
A magnificent, full day on the trail showcasing the absolute best of the Gredos Mountains. You will ride down the valley, passing through remote, untouched medieval villages. Following a riverside lunch at Aliseda de Tormes near its historic bridge, the landscape opens up. Enjoy excellent opportunities for long trots and canters as you head toward El Barco de Ávila. You will enter this 12th-century town by crossing its iconic Roman bridge, riding right past its historic castle. Dinner and overnight stay are at a 4-star hotel.
Day 4: El Barco de Ávila to Hoyorredondo
Today you cross into the province of Salamanca, where the scenery shifts to a dramatic, arid landscape characterized by incredible granite formations and holm oak woods. This is a deeply traditional, rural region where you may still see local farmers riding donkeys along stone-walled fields. You will ride through Puente del Congosto, home to a 15th-century castle and bridge, and stop for a picnic and summer swim by the river. The afternoon brings fun, forward canters to Hoyorredondo. Tonight, stay at a spectacular rural inn, La Trocha de Hoyorredondo, where you can watch the horses resting right from your bedroom window.
Day 5: Hoyorredondo to Navacepedilla de Corneja
Kick off the morning with brisk trots and canters through the flat, open pastures of the Corneja River Valley, making your way to Bonilla de la Sierra, an historically significant medieval town with an impressive church. Here, you will indulge in a traditional countryside barbecue featuring premium Ávila beef steak and Iberian pork. In the afternoon, you will begin the climb back up into the mountains. Overnight and dinner are at a charming hotel in Navacepedilla de Corneja.
Day 6: Navacepedilla to Navarredonda
A truly magnificent finale. Today you will traverse three distinct valleys, ascending to the highest point of the trek: the Puerto de Chía pass (1,800 m). From here, enjoy a spectacular dual view of the Corneja Valley behind you and the Alberche Valley ahead. After a scenic tapas break at San Martín de la Vega, you will cross the Alberche River and ride on to the Tormes Valley for lunch. A short afternoon ride brings you back to the home stables. Tonight, celebrate the journey with a farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, depart the hotel at 10:00 AM. The transfer will arrive at Madrid Airport at approximately 12:30 PM for onward journeys.
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Sierra de Gredos
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
This trail ride is suitable for intermediate to experienced riders, meaning you should be happy and confident cantering a horse in open spaces. The pace of the riding is moderated, with trots and canters every day. Canters are dependent on the terrain; in many areas the terrain is very rocky so this is not a fast paced ride.
The riding time each day is between 4 and 7 hours.
All the trails are personally guided by the experienced owner Emilio Rodriguez. Emilio is an expert rider (and farrier!) and was born in the Gredos mountains. He speaks fluent Spanish and English. Emilio’s wife Mamen forms the support team providing riders with delivious tapas breaks and extensive picnic while on the trail.
There will be a maximum of 8 riders in a group.
The horses are a mix of Hispano-Arab, Spanish, Andalucian PRE and Andalucian crosses ranging in height from 15 to 16.2 hands. They are happy, loved and comfortable to ride, with an enthusiastic walk and an easy collected canter. Born at home, very much loved and extremely well looked after, these horses love their job and make for very easy, relaxed riding.
The team on this trail use the finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat savers and small saddle bags in front of the saddles so you can keep your essentials with you. All the tack is in excellent conditions,and is verycomfortable for horses and riders. Riding hats are not mandatory but are strongly recommended, if you want to ride without a hat you will need to sign a disclaimer.
Price includes
Price Excludes
Accommodation
One of the unique features of this trail is that the overnight stops are specifically chosen to accommodate both you and the horses. While you rest inside, the horses spend their nights in fields directly adjacent to the hotels, allowing you to often look out your bedroom window and see them resting.
Day-by-Day Stops
Days 1 & 2 (Navarredonda de Gredos): You will stay at a mountain village hotel situated at an altitude of 1,600 meters, which offers beautiful views of the highest peaks in the Sierra de Gredos. (Note: Because the small village of Navacepeda de Tormes on Day 2 lacks lodging, a support vehicle transfers you back to this same hotel for your second night).
Day 3 (El Barco de Ávila): After crossing a Roman bridge into this historic 12th-century town, you will check into a comfortable 4-star hotel for the night.
Day 4 (Hoyorredondo): You will stay at a highly rated, magical rural inn called La Trocha de Hoyorredondo. This is an ancient house converted into a cozy bed-and-breakfast-style lodging.
Day 5 (Navacepedilla de Corneja): A night spent at a charming, authentic mountain village hotel as you begin climbing back into the peaks.
Day 6 (Navarredonda): You return to the original mountain hotel for a final farewell dinner and overnight stay before departure the next morning.Rooms
The base price is for twin-bedded rooms with private en-suite bathrooms. Single rooms are available upon request, subject to a single supplement fee of €220.Free Wi-Fi is available at every hotel along the route and all rooms are equipped with clean towels, shampoo, and liquid soap. Central heating is provided to keep rooms cosy during the cooler spring and autumn mountain nights. Most locations also provide hair dryers. While on the trail a dedicated support van transports your luggage from hotel to hotel, meeting the riding group at least three times a day (during morning tapas breaks, lunches, and at evening check-ins).
Breakfast and dinner are served directly at your accommodation. Dinners typically take place around 9:00 PM and feature a rotating choice of local Spanish recipes and multi-course meals. All drinks - including water, beer, soft drinks, and excellent regional Spanish red and white wines - are included with your evening meals. Special dietary requirements (like vegetarian, gluten-free, or allergies) can easily be accommodated if known in advance.
Sierra de Gredos
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Flight and transfer information
- Arrival airport: Madrid (MAD)
- Arrival time: Before 14.00 on Day 1
- Departure time: After 14.30 on Day 7
- Transfer arrangements: [Airport transfers are included at set times from Madrid Airport.
Single room supplement: Payable if booking alone and no sharer is available: €220