Spain is criss-crossed by nine hundred year old roads covering the rural areas of Spain (approx. 700 km) which were used for livestock farming to drive the animals to different grazing areas. In Spain, these roads are called ‘Cañadas Reales’ and were built under King Alfonso X in 1273. These paths are still used today by herders who move their flocks between winter and summer pastures. In summer, they stay in the mountains, while every autumn they drive the flocks back to the lowlands. These paths are also used to drive herds of horses from winter to summer pastures on horseback – an unforgettable experience! In May, you can book the transhumance horseback tour heading north from Guadalupe to Navarredonda de Gredos, from the winter pastures in the south to the mountains in the north. In October, the transhumance tour heads south, an almost identical tour but in the opposite direction, from Navarredonda to Guadalupe, from the summer pastures to the winter pastures.

Itinerary

Ride to the north:

Day 1: MADRID-TRUJILLO Arrival in Madrid and shared transfer to Trujillo (approx. 2.5 hours). There will be time to explore the city before dinner together in the evening.

Day 2: TRUJILLO - HERGUIJUELA - TORRECILLAS DE LA TIESA Short transfer to Herguijuela, where the horses will be waiting for you. Once everyone has got to know their horse, you will set off on your ride. On the way, you will enjoy a delicious paella picnic in the countryside. In the afternoon, you will ride across wide, flat terrain to Torrecillas, where you will spend the night in a country inn. Riding time approx. 5 hours.

Day 3: TORRECILLAS - CASAS DE MIRAVETE After breakfast, you will ride through wide open countryside with oak and cork trees, known as dehesa, past olive groves. There are some good trotting and galloping stretches ahead of you. In the afternoon, you will reach Casas de Miravete, whose 13th-century castle is visible from afar. Dinner and overnight stay in a guesthouse. Riding time approx. 7 hours.

Day 4: CASAS DE MIRAVETE - NAVALMORAL DE LA MATA Casas de Miravete is part of the Monfragüe National Park. Here you will find beautiful landscapes and well-preserved Mediterranean forests. Ride through the park via the Cañadas Reales and enjoy the magnificent views. Picnic lunch next to a water reservoir. In the afternoon, you will reach Navalmoral de la Mata in the province of Toledo.

Day 5: NAVALMORAL DE LA MATA - CALZADA DE OROPESA In the morning, a route with beautiful views of the Sierra de Gredos awaits you. In the afternoon, you will ride through the plains with beautiful opportunities for trotting and galloping. Here, the width of the cattle track Cañada Real is as much as 200 metres! Dinner and overnight stay in Calzada de Oropesa.

Day 6: CALZADA DE OROPESA - NAVALCAN In the morning, you will ride briskly across the plain with views of the Sierra de Gredos. In the afternoon, the landscape changes. You will ride alongside the Navalcán water reservoir, where herons rest on their way south. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner at a country hotel. Riding time approx. 6 hours.

Day 7: NAVALCAN - MOMBELTRAN Today, you will continue to approach the mountains of Gredos. You will leave the province of Toledo behind and reach the province of Avila. Dinner and overnight stay in Mombeltrán.

Day 8: MOMBELTRAN - NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS Today you follow the Cañada Real further uphill to the northern side of the Sierra de Gredos. Here the route joins an old road from Roman times, which is one of the best-preserved Roman roads in Spain. You follow this two-thousand-year-old route for approx. 10 km. You are relatively high up in the mountains and will enjoy beautiful views throughout. In the afternoon, you will reach Navarredonda. Riding time approx. 6.5 hours.

Day 9: NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS - MADRID After breakfast, transfer to the airport.

The second date is ridden in the opposite direction.

(Subject to change)

Accomodation
You will spend the night in ed hotels in double and single rooms with shower/toilet.

Saddle & Tack: English.

Experience: You should be confident in all gaits and have at least 3-5 years of riding and trail experience. You will help with grooming, saddling and feeding. Daily riding time approx. 6 hours. Max. 90kg. Minimum age: 10 years.

Horses: Good-natured, responsive and well-trained P.R.E., Hispano-Arabian in excellent condition.

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