Half an hour south of Burgos in north-central Spain lies the fertile Arlanzatal, an unspoilt landscape of austere beauty. Thousand-year-old churches and villages with 500-year-old houses line your riding route.
You ride from the karst landscape in the heart of Castile up into the mountains to the source of the river Arlanza, which accompanies you for a large part of the way. Past the monastery of St. Domingo de los Silos, you will ride through light holm oak forests, cross rivers and wide pastures, past lakes, through wild canyons and over lonely mountain paths to the Sierra de Neila. A riding tour on the trail of the knight and national hero El Cid Rodrigo Dìaz.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Madrid, transfer to Covarrubias, a small medieval town 150km north of Madrid, the cradle of Fernán González. Overnight stay in a hotel within the city walls.

Day 2: Covarrubias
Over the open fields you ride to the Ura valley, a small canyon through which the river Mataviejas flows. Return to Covarrubias and overnight at the hotel as the day before.

Day 3: Covarrubias - Santo Domingo de Silos
Riding in the footsteps of El Cid across the Arlanza River to Retuerto through vineyards, holm oak forests, juniper heath and pasture land. From Retuerto you will ride to Contreras, the village of a hundred bridges, from where you will cross a hilltop with a magnificent view to the Sto Monastery. Domingo de los Silos, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Spain. Delicious dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4: Santo Domingo de Silos - Navas del Pinar
From Santo Domingo you will ride to the Peñacoba hill and continue via Mamolar, passing uninhabited villages through pine forests to the end of today´s ride to Navas del Pinar. The village is located at the entrance to the Cañón del Río Lobos (Wolf´s Gorge) Natural Park, a spectacular canyon landscape. Overnight stay in a beautiful hotel.

Day 5: Navas del Pinar - San Leonardo de Yagüe
Ride past alders and poplars through the 16 km long canyon with its unique beauty. The further south you go, the higher the karst rocks rise vertically on both sides of the canyon, where there are countless caves. Again and again you will cross the river in the valley of the canyon, which has been declared a nature park and bird sanctuary. Overnight stay at the exit of the canyon, which is now no longer in Burgos but in the province of Soria.

Day 6: San Leonardo de Yagüe - Quintanar de la Sierra
Today you will cross enormous pine forests in the province of Soria to reach the Canicosa de la Sierra and the beautiful Quintanar de la Sierra, which is again in the province of Burgos. On the way you will pass the impressive necropolis (medieval tomb) de Revenga. Ride over a wide plain with pine forests, meadows and fields. Along a reservoir, you will reach Quintanar de la Sierra in the middle of a green cork oak forest covered with ferns. You will also see a site where traces of dinosaurs have been found. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: Quintanar de la Sierra - source of the river Arlanza
Ascent over narrow mountain paths. Weather permitting, you will ride up to the Hierro Pass at the source of the Arlanza River. Return with the horses down into the valley back to Covarrubias. Farewell dinner, overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 8: Transfer to Madrid and return home or continue the riding adventure with the Tour Sierra de la Demanda.

(subject to change)

Accomodation
You will stay overnight in beautiful country houses and typical hotels (partly 3-4 stars). Lunch is usually served as a picnic, always with several courses and a chupito (herbal schnapps). Breakfast and dinner are served at the hotel, table wine is included.

Saddle & Tack: Spanish saddles (vaquero) and curb bit. The stirrups, the so-called coal boxes are unusual but comfortable with a large footrest.

Experience: You should have ridden regularly for at least 3 years and be able to control other horses without instruction in all gaits.

Horses: Andalusian and Spanish mix, with lovely characters, persistent and sure-footed.

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