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 150 km north of Madrid, the cradle of Fernán González. Overnight stay in a hotel within the city walls.

Day 2: Covarrubias 
Cross the open fields to ride to Ura-valley, a small canyon through which the river Mataviejas flows. Return to Covarrubias and spend the night in the same hotel as the day before.

Day 3: Covarrubias - Santo Domingo de Silos
Ride in the footsteps of El Cid via the Arlanzariver to Retuerto through vineyards, holm oak forests, juniper heaths and pastureland. From Retuerto, you ride to Contreras, the village of a hundred bridges, from where you cross a hilltop with magnificent views to the monastery of Sto. 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 to ride you ride to the hill of Peñacoba and continue via Mamolar, past 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 Gorge) Nature Park, a spectacular gorge 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 gorge, in which there are countless caves. Again and again you 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 gorge, which is 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 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 burial site) of Revenga. Ride across a wide plain with pine forests, meadows and fields. Along a reservoir you reach Quintanar de la Sierra in the middle of a green, fern-covered cork oak forest. You will also see a site where traces of dinosaurs have been found. Overnight stay in a hotel.

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

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

Accomodation
You will spend the night in beautiful country houses and typical local hotels (some 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, with table wine included.

Saddle & Tack: Spanish saddles and double bridle. The stirups are unusual but comfortable with a large footrest.

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

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

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