This is a stationary summer ride with relaxing full days riding from Navarredonda de Gredos to different direction every day, changing landscapes and opportunities for swimming in the crystalline waters of Gredos Mountains. One day in the middle of the week we ride on a minitrail to a different village. The summer in Gredos is perfect for excellent riding holidays due to the altitude, Navarredonda is at 1,600 m, so even in July or August is not hot for full days riding and perfect for swimming in the fresh waters at lunch stops.
Centre based itinerary, with 1 night on a mini trail. Different rides each day with opportunities for swimming at lunch stops in the crystalline waters of Gredos, rivers, gorges….
This ride is a very well-suited ride for solo travelers and also for families or groups of friends. Most of our guests join us individually, as the focus is on spending the whole day riding outdoors (from 4 to 6 hours a day), experiencing nature with the horses and the group, long breaks at lunch by the mountain rivers and gorges where it is possible to swim. Accommodation in the same hotel for the whole week.
While it’s also a great option for families because don’t have to pack luggage each day, which is often a welcome convenience for parents, We highly recommend it for all types of travelers looking for a wonderful equestrian experience in the Summer in Spain in a cooler climate area (our base is 1,600m altitude)
The peace of riding is moderated with walk, trots and canters 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.
LEVEL OF RIDING
Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group and in open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. 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.
GUIDE
Every ride is personally guided by the experienced Emilio, with an experience over 30 years as equestrian guide he is a terrific guide. Emilio is expert rider and has a special ability to match his horses with riders. He is leading the groups with his confident and well-mannered horses that are a pleasure to ride, you will always feel very safe. He is English speaker.
HORSES
Excellent PRE horses, Hispano-Arabs, born at home, very much loved, very well trained, beautifully looked after and good natured, very easy to ride. They are all well fed and in great riding shape.
TACK
We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.
HELMET
We recommend wearing a helmet, however you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.
We make a suggested or sample itinerary with descriptions of a typical day program.
Day 1 MADRID-NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Meet at Madrid airport (meeting time is at 3pm), transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hours’ drive with a break in Avila town for a short visit, amazing walled medieval town World Heritage Site UNESCO. Enjoy your welcome dinner at the hotel with us in Hoyos del Espino, a mountain village at 1,600 m altitude with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
Day 2 NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS- TORMER RIVER VALLEY
Distribution of horses. Will be an stunning and comfortable day, is time to meet the horses, riding through the Tormes valley and pineforest, open fields with great views of Gredos Mountains. Lunch at fisherman´s hut with an excellent paella, cooked at the spot, beside the river Tormes where is possible swimming in amaizing natural pools. Afternoon with good canters and trots coming back to the stables. We transfer you back to the same hotel. Time In the saddle about 4-5 h.
Day 3 NAVARREDONDA – BARBELLIDO-NAVACEPEDA DE TORMES
Day on a mini trail to another locaton. In direction to the highest mountains with stunning views of Gredos, riding up to Puente de las Juntas and down to Barbellido gorge, stop for an excellent lunch with Avilan beef bbq at a fisherman hut, good spot for swimming in crystalline waters of Barbellido gorge. After a relaxing lunch stop, in the afternoon good canters along the pine woods riding to a different location in Navacepeda de Tormes. Horses will spend the night in this village and we will transfer you back for dinner and night to our accomodation for the week. Time 1n the saddle about 7 hours.
Day 5 NAVACEPEDA – POZO DE LAS PAREDES – NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS
Following the Tormes River Valley through Navacepeda, historic town in the mountains to Navalperal for a tapas-break, continuing to Pozo de las Paredes, a 14th century bridge over the Barbellido gorge. Lunch at the beautiful place perfect for swimming. In the afternoon riding along the Tormes river coming back to the stables. Dinner and night at the hotel. Time in the saddle about 6 hours.
Day 5 NAVARREDONDA – LAGUNA CAÑADA DEL GALLO
Riding in the morning to Cañada del Gallo lagoon with some great views of the peaks of Gredos with great canters in open landscape. Riding down to the Tormes valley for another luxury pic-nic with an excellent bbq cooked at the spot with opportunity for wild swimming again, refreshing and relaxing!. After lunch break riding back to the stables with some good canters. Night and dinner at the hotel. Time in the saddle about 5 hours
Day 6 NAVARREDONDA- TORMES RIVER SOURSE
The Tormes River is a tributary of the Duero on its left bank, which rises in the Sierra de Gredos, in Navarredonda de Gredos, our base in Gredos, crosses the province of Salamanca and flows between Salamanca and Zamora until it reaches its mouth in the Duero basin, where it crosses the border with Portugal. in the morning we will ride up the mountains to see the Tormes River sourse. Lunch stop and swimming with excellent spot for swimming again. In the afternoon funny riding with canters through the pine forest. Time on the saddle 4 hours. Night and farewell dinner in the hotel.
Day 7 NAVARREDODNA DE GREDOS- MADRID
Breakfast at hotel, departure at 10 to be at Madrid airport at 12pm.
ITINERARY MAY VARY DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
Please get in touch with us for any further information
The accommodation and the customer attention in every aspect of the rides is all to an excellent standard.
The accommodation in this ride is 6 nightsat the same charming boutique hotel in Hoyos del Espino (5 minutes drive from the stables), all rooms have private bathrooms. Every of them very clean and comfortable.
Single rooms are possible on request with a single supplement.
The food is one of the highlight of this trip, Mamen will delight you with the tapas-breaks waiting for you in any unexpected place with Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, nuts, etc. Lunchtime is relaxing with delicious home cooked Spanish dishes as Paella, Tortilla Española, Avilan beef bbq, salads, etc. followed by a siesta and swimming.
After the day riding, your dinner in the evening is around 9 pm and you have a choice from different dishes and courses of local Spanish recipes. you can choose every day 1 among 3 starters, 1 among 3 main courses and 1 among 3 deserst with different option every single day. All the drinks are included during the meals, red and white wines, beer, canned drinks and water.
There is Wi-Fi in the hotels you stay and is for free.
There are towels, shampoo and liquid soap in each room.
Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
There is a SPA by the hotel (not included) if you want to relax after the day riding and before dinner.
A support van follows the group during the whole week, meeting us in the morning to meet the horses, for tapas-breaks, lunches, so you have access to your day bag during the day at least 3 times or when is necessary. The service along the ride is outstanding.
| RIDE | DATES – 2025 | DAYS RIDING | PRICE – 2025 | |
| TWIN ROOM | SINGLE SUP | |||
| CRYSTALLINE WATERS OF GREDOS | JUL 06-12/ JUL 13-19/ JUL 20-26/ AUG 03-09/ AUG 10-16 | 5 | 1,860 € | 210 € |
| RIDE | DATES – 2026 | DAYS RIDING | PRICE – 2026 | |
| TWIN ROOM | SINGLE SUP | |||
| CRYSTALLINE WATERS OF GREDOS | JUL12-18/JUL19-25/AUG09-15/AUG 16-22 | 5 | 1,960 € | 220 € |
THE PRICE INCLUDES
The price is per person and includes: all transfers from/ to the meeting point (MADRID AIRPORT at the set time), all meals from the welcome dinner on the first day to the breakfast on the last day, white and red wine, water, beer, canned drinks with lunch and dinner, accommodation in twin bedded rooms with private bathroom, riding, horses, tack, English speaking guide, luggage transport and excursions described in itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED
International flights, single supplement, alcoholic drinks other than wine with dinner, massages, items of a personal nature and gratuities.
MEETING POINT?
The meeting point is Madrid Airport for all the itineraries. Emilio, Mamen or both will do personally the transfer. Telephone number in case of delay: +34 635 433 079 (Emilio)/ +34 609 833 783 (Mamen)
MEETING TIME?
The meeting time is at 3:00 pm, so please flights not after 2 pm. The transfers Madrid airport –Navarredonda-Madrid airport are included. The transfer from Madrid airport to Navarredonda is about 2 hour.
The transfer back to the airport on the last day will be at 10 to be at the airport about 12 pm, so please flights not before 2 pm.
TRIP LENGTH?
“Crystalline waters of Gredos” is 7 days, 6 nights, 5 days riding from Sunday to Saturday. The length of the ride it is around 150 km
WEITGH LIMIT?
90 Kgs / 198 Lbs.
NUMBER OF RIDERS?
Min 2 to Max usually 8
NON RIDERS?
The ride is suitable for non-riding companions; they can travel in the support van and join in meals, dinners and others activities, or if they wish can rent a car in Madrid too. They can move in their own and join the group for dinner.
LEVEL OF RIDING?
Intermediate to experienced riders, means that you should be comfortable to walk, trot and canter in group in open spaces and your seat should be independent from your hands. 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.
WHAT I NEED TO BRING?
We recommend you to check the weather forecast before coming, always is important to bring sunglasses, sun cream, a rain coat, swimsuit and towel in summer for swimming in the mountain rivers.
WHAT TYPE OF TACK?
We use finest quality English saddles and tack with silicon seat saver and small saddle bags in front of the saddles. All the tack is in excellent conditions, very comfortable for horses and riders. The horse tack quality is outstanding.
DO I NEED TO WEAR HELMET?
We recommend wearing a helmet, however you can ride without a helmet but your insurance must clearly state that you are covered to do that. You will also be asked to sign a disclaimer.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
It is a condition of your booking that you take out a travel insurance covering you for all medical expenses, injury, cancellation, baggage and personal effects for the entire duration of your trip at the time of booking.
If you come from Europe, you should bring the European Health card, this gives you access to Spanish health care.
WI-FI?
There is Wi-Fi in every accommodation we spend the nights and is for free.
AGE LIMIT?
There is not an upper age limit, as long as you are riding fit and healthy, keep in mind we are long hours on the saddle for 4 to 7 hours a day. Minimum riding age is 10 years old, competent riders, accompanied by an adult.
WHEN CAN I RIDE WITH YOU?
We are opened all year round, so it is possible riding with us in Gredos or in Extremadura all around the year.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO COME?
In Crystalline Waters of Gredos we offer the best ride dates July and August, allowing you to swim in the beautiful rivers and gorges of crystalline waters at lunch stops.
DO YOU CATER FOR SPECIAL DIET?
Special diet (vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.) can be arranged with advance notice.
The climate is dry Continental weather. Springs soft temperatures around 18ºc with sunny and cloudy days, excellent time to ride. Summers are dry, sunny, temperature during the day around 25º, 28ºc good for pic nics beside the rivers and swimming.
Autumn usually Sept, Oct, are months with temperatures around 18ºc, sunny and cloudy excellent time to ride in Gredos.
The temperatures in the night are lower in spring and autumn, but the hotels are comfortable and central heating. Not humidity area and not mosquitoes either.
