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Gredos Escape
Central Spain
Spain
The Gredos mountains varied terrain is a delight to be discovered on the back of our equine friends. The northern side of the Sierra de Gredos is a rugged terrain and home to fast flowing rivers that run through small farming villages while the southern side offers a soft and warm landscape dotted with orchards and vineyards.
Wildlife in this area includes mountain goats (an icon of the Gredos Mountain), black and griffin vultures, and golden and imperial eagles.
Disconnect from your daily life for a few days on this delightful riding escape!
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Family Vacation
Center-based ride
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Meeting:
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Navarredonda de Gredos
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Airport:
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Madrid
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Transfer:
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Avila or Madrid Airport
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
Max
10 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates include*:
Accommodations, All meals with wine for dinner and lunch, Riding days according to program, Luggage transport & Excursions described in itinerary
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Rates Note:
The price for non rider is the same than always, 20% less than normal price.
Transfer and Other Charges:
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2023
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Transfers from/to Avila included for the normal program
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2023
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Christmas special: Transfers included from/to Madrid airport
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For the normal program, pick-up/ drop-off is available from Avila at no extra cost.
For the Christmas special, transfers are included from/to Madrid airport.
Rates do not include:
Alcoholic and canned drinks other than wine, Travel insurance (mandatory), Transfer from/to Madrid Airport & Gratuities
Sample Itinerary - subject to changes
This ride follows the same itinerary as the last part of the Waters of Gredos Ride.
Day 1: Arrival
Meet in Avila and transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos by car (about 1 hour). Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 2: Ride and visit of a Medieval Town
We ride along the Tormes River Valley and stop for lunch at a beautiful place, perfect for swimming.
In the afternoon we ride back to the stables. After the riding, we go visit a medieval town in the area.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 3: Full day ride and visit to the herd of horses
In the morning, we enjoy a fast paced ride to Hoyos del Espino. Lunch break and swimming.
In the afternoon, ride with canters through the pine forest. After the riding, we go visit our herd of horses in the forest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 4: Full day ride
Riding in the morning to Cañada del Gallo lagoon with some great views of the peaks of Gredos. We have great canters in open landscape. We take our picnic in the Tormes valley and enjoy an excellent paella cooked on the spot (opportunity for swimming). After a relaxing lunch break, we ride back to the stables with some good canters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, transfer at 10 am to be in Ávila town around 11 am.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Non-Riders
Non-riding companions are welcome to join this trip. They can travel in the support car and join in meals, dinners and others activities, or if they wish, they can rent a car and move on their own, joining the group for dinner.
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Sample Itinerary: Christmas Special - subject to changes
The following is the sample itinerary but please note that changes are possible due to weather and local conditions.
Day 1: Arrival
Transfer from Madrid to Navarredonda de Gredos (2-hour drive) with a break for a short visit to amazing walled medieval town of Ávila (World Heritage Site UNESCO).
Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 2: Ride to Hoyos del Collado
After matching our excellent homebred horses with each rider, we get in the saddle. Riding through the Tormes valley and pine forest, we cross open fields with great views of Gredos Mountains. We stop for lunch beside the river Tormes. In the afternoon we head back to the stables. We will ride for about 5 hours total during the day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 3: Barbellido Gorge Ride
This morning, we ride in the direction of the highest mountains with stunning views of the Gredos range. Riding up to Puente de las Juntas and down to Barbellido gorge, we stop for an excellent lunch at a fisherman hut. After a relaxing lunch stop, we get back in the saddle and enjoy good canters along the pine woods, riding back to the stables. We will have time to relax before our Christmas eve dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 4: Cañada del Gallo Ride
We start the day by riding to Cañada del Gallo lagoon with some great views of the peaks of Gredos and great canters. We then ride down to the Tormes valley for another beautiful pic-nic. After a relaxing lunch break, we ride back to the stables with some good canters. Today, we will spend about 6 hours in the saddle.
Tonight, farewell dinner at the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at a Hotel in Navarredonda de Gredos
Day 5: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Madrid airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Meeting:
Navarredonda de Gredos
Airport:
Madrid
Train station:
Avila
Transfer:
Avila or Madrid Airport
For the normal program, pick-up/ drop-off is available from Avila at no extra cost.
For the Christmas special, transfers are included from/to Madrid airport.
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Tack:
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English with saddlebag
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Horses:
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Pura Raza Española PRE (14), Pure Hispano-Arab (4), Anglo-arab (1), 2 Crossed (hispano-bretón, hispano-lusitano)
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Pace:
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Moderate with extended trots and controlled canters. 6 hrs per riding day.
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
10
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Weight:
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Max
200 lbs / 90 kg
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
10 riders
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Riding Schedule
On a normal day, we start riding at 10am, after a well-deserved rest and a good breakfast. Participants are encouraged in helping with the preparation of the horses. Usually, we need to catch the horses from the fields where they have spent the night, feed them, brush them and saddle them up before breakfast.
In the morning, you will ride about 4 hours with a short tapas-break (Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. and something to drink) in the middle of the morning (usually around noon). After the break, we ride to the lunch place. A luxury picnic is waiting for us in the quietest and most beautiful spot. The stop for lunch is about 2 hours long, with time to enjoy the pic-nic and little siesta after lunch.
In the afternoon, we ride for about 2 hours until we get to our accommodation.
Riding Experience
These trips have been designed for intermediate to experienced riders. You should be comfortable at the walk, trot and canter, in group, in open spaces and your seat should be firm. On the rides, you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.
Pace
The overall pace of riding is moderate with walk, trots and canters mostly every day. Usually, when the terrain allows for a safe canter, we canter. In the mountains, in many areas the terrain does not allow for trotting or cantering so we enjoy walking with breathtaking views around.
The distance covered on the average is 25-35 km per day. We usually spend about 6 hours in the saddle every riding day.
Tack
We use fine quality English saddles and silicon seat saver. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. You have small saddlebags in front of the saddles for a water bottle, sunscreen, camera, mobile, etc.
Support Vehicle
A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning, for tapas-breaks, lunches, at night and to move your luggage. This means you have access to your luggage at least 3 times a day.
Horses
We currently have 21 horses: 14 PRE, 4 Pure Hispano-Arab, 1 Anglo-Arab and 2 Crossed (hispano-bretón, hispano-lusitano).
Our horses are responsive, well behave, good natured and serene thanks to the natural horsemanship method used to train them.
Most of our horses were born and bred at home while others have been with us since they were foals.
They live in freedom as a herd, eating, drinking, sleeping and traveling together in the most natural way possible.
They live in a huge pine forest (500 ha) in the Gredos Mountains or in the rich pastures in the Dehesas of Extremadura. They keep fit as they can walk around 20 km every day. They live with other groups of animals including other horses, donkeys, cows and also wild animals such as wolves, roe deer, deer, wild boar, foxes.
Staff
Emilio and Mamen (both born in Gredos Mountains) will be personally escorting you on these trips. Emilio will happily guide you across the trails, while Mamen will be preparing delicious meals and pic-nics.
Emilio has been working in equestrian tourism for over 30 years and he dedicated his whole life to his horses. He speaks English and Spanish.
Age Restrictions
There is no upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy. The minimum riding age is 10 years old (competent riders only), accompanied by an adult.
Travel Insurance
It is mandatory to take a travel insurance for this trip! If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.Note: EU nationals are onl. more
Ávila area
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Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Average High Temperature (°F)
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46
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48
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54
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57
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65
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75
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82
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82
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74
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62
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52
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47
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Average Low Temperature (°F)
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30
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32
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34
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38
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44
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51
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55
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55
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50
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43
|
36
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32
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Average High Temperature (°C)
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8
|
9
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12
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14
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18
|
24
|
28
|
28
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23
|
17
|
11
|
8
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Average Low Temperature (°C)
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-1
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0
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1
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3
|
7
|
11
|
13
|
13
|
10
|
6
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2
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0
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Average Precipitation (days of rain)
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5
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4
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4
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7
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7
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4
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1
|
2
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3
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6
|
6
|
6
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Source: NOAA
Seasons
Castilla and León has a continental Mediterranean climate with long and relatively cold winters with an average of temperatures between 4º and 7º C (39.2º F and 44.6º F) and with warm to hot summers.
The general lack of rainfall makes it easy for accommodating riding holidays and is excellent to enjoy the sun all year round whatever the temperature. The high altitude of the plateau and mountains accentuate the contrast between the winter and summer temperatures, as well as during the day and night.
This list is only a basic guideline for you...
TRAVEL
Travel documents and Trip Voucher
Flight tickets
Passport
Visa (check with your consulate)
RIDING GEAR
English or Western riding attire - whatever you are most comfortable riding long distances in!
Comfortable and worn-in riding boots
A hard hat is not required, but always recommended for safety
Riding gloves
Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection
Rain proof coat
PERSONAL CLOTHING
Jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
Comfortable T-Shirts
Jeans
Shorts
Underwear and socks
Pyjamas
Light summer jacket
Trekking boots /comfortable shoes
Swimsuit
Bandana
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
Personal Toiletries
Insect protection
Personal medications
Sore cream (for the emergency)
Sewing kit
Handkerchiefs
Adapter for any electric appliances
Camera and enough extras (films, batteries, memory cards etc)
Belt pack
Sun glasses with strap
Sun tan lotion and lip balm
Small bar of soap
Flashlight
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
|
..view other reports for different trips
Accommodations
This is a stationary with all nights spent in Navarredonda de Gredos.
Description
This small hotel is surrounded by nature and provides great views of the mountains. The bedrooms all come with Wi-Fi access, a TV and private facilities. Guests are welcome to relax in the panoramic lounge or outdoor terrace.
Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee applies.
Meals
All meals are included on this trip.
The food is a highlight of this trip! Mamen will delight you with the tapas-breaks waiting for you with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc.
Lunches are taken on the trail; in the countryside (we bring tables and chairs) and always include a starter (salad, gazpacho, vegetables, etc), a main course (paella, iberian pork, fish, etc), fresh fruit, coffee and local wines. Lunchtime features delicious home cooked Spanish dishes such as Paella, Tortilla Española, Iberian pork bbq, salads, and soft cheese very typical from Extremadura “Torta del Casar”. Lunch is often followed by a siesta in the countryside.
After the day riding, your dinner in the evening is around 9 pm and you can choose from different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes. Your dinner is usually taken at the accommodation and include a choice between 3-5 starters (mix salad, soup, vegetables, pasta, etc), 3-5 main course (grilled beef, pork, stews, fish, omelet, etc), a dessert (flan, rice pudding, fruit, cake, etc), local wine, bread and coffee or tea.
The following drinks are included in the package: red and white wines, beer, refreshments, coffee or tea during the meals and aperitifs. Water bottle is provided every morning.
Dietary Restrictions
Special diets (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
This trip
includes some wine with dinner
and
can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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|
English with saddlebag
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Pura Raza Española PRE (14), Pure Hispano-Arab (4), Anglo-arab (1), 2 Crossed (hispano-bretón, hispano-lusitano)
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Moderate with extended trots and controlled canters. 6 hrs per riding day.
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
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|
(3
to
3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Age:
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Min
10
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Weight:
|
|
Max
200 lbs / 90 kg
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|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
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Max
10 riders
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|
Riding Schedule
On a normal day, we start riding at 10am, after a well-deserved rest and a good breakfast. Participants are encouraged in helping with the preparation of the horses. Usually, we need to catch the horses from the fields where they have spent the night, feed them, brush them and saddle them up before breakfast.
In the morning, you will ride about 4 hours with a short tapas-break (Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. and something to drink) in the middle of the morning (usually around noon). After the break, we ride to the lunch place. A luxury picnic is waiting for us in the quietest and most beautiful spot. The stop for lunch is about 2 hours long, with time to enjoy the pic-nic and little siesta after lunch.
In the afternoon, we ride for about 2 hours until we get to our accommodation.
Riding Experience
These trips have been designed for intermediate to experienced riders. You should be comfortable at the walk, trot and canter, in group, in open spaces and your seat should be firm. On the rides, you will be riding for between four to seven hours a day so it is important to be as riding fit as possible.
Pace
The overall pace of riding is moderate with walk, trots and canters mostly every day. Usually, when the terrain allows for a safe canter, we canter. In the mountains, in many areas the terrain does not allow for trotting or cantering so we enjoy walking with breathtaking views around.
The distance covered on the average is 25-35 km per day. We usually spend about 6 hours in the saddle every riding day.
Tack
We use fine quality English saddles and silicon seat saver. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. You have small saddlebags in front of the saddles for a water bottle, sunscreen, camera, mobile, etc.
Support Vehicle
A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning, for tapas-breaks, lunches, at night and to move your luggage. This means you have access to your luggage at least 3 times a day.
Horses
We currently have 21 horses: 14 PRE, 4 Pure Hispano-Arab, 1 Anglo-Arab and 2 Crossed (hispano-bretón, hispano-lusitano).
Our horses are responsive, well behave, good natured and serene thanks to the natural horsemanship method used to train them.
Most of our horses were born and bred at home while others have been with us since they were foals.
They live in freedom as a herd, eating, drinking, sleeping and traveling together in the most natural way possible.
They live in a huge pine forest (500 ha) in the Gredos Mountains or in the rich pastures in the Dehesas of Extremadura. They keep fit as they can walk around 20 km every day. They live with other groups of animals including other horses, donkeys, cows and also wild animals such as wolves, roe deer, deer, wild boar, foxes.
Staff
Emilio and Mamen (both born in Gredos Mountains) will be personally escorting you on these trips. Emilio will happily guide you across the trails, while Mamen will be preparing delicious meals and pic-nics.
Emilio has been working in equestrian tourism for over 30 years and he dedicated his whole life to his horses. He speaks English and Spanish.
Age Restrictions
There is no upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy. The minimum riding age is 10 years old (competent riders only), accompanied by an adult.
Travel Insurance
It is mandatory to take a travel insurance for this trip! If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.
Visa Note
Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Gredos Escape
Tour Code:
IT-SPGRE1-WE
5 days /
4 nights
Dates :
Jul-Aug & Dec
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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