Horse riding in Spain - Trail ride through Gredos Mountains

Highlights

Explore on horseback an unspoiled part of Spain, with beautiful views of the Sierra de Gredos and through medieval villages.

Experience the thrill of a real trail ride, with your beloved four-legged friend taking you to a new place every day.

Ride well-trained PRE (Pura Raza Española) horses, personally bred and trained by your guide.

Be pampered by a small and personal team of locals.

Quick facts

Riding Expeditions
6 nights
Intermediate to experienced
Groups up to 10
4 - 7 hours/day in the saddle
Madrid

At a glance

On this authentic 7-day trail ride (6 nights, 5 days of horseback riding) from hotel to hotel you will explore on horseback the Sierra de Gredos, located west of Madrid. The route follows the Tormes River and is exceptionally varied. Beautiful, rustic landscapes with views of the Sierra de Gredos and medieval villages full of history alternate. The view will never bore you. The ride starts in the beautiful mountain village of Navarredonda de Gredos, leads to El Barco de Ávila and ends back in Navarredonda de Gredos. Every evening, when you reach the next stop, you experience an incredible satisfaction and look back on a day full of special experiences.

More information

On this trip, you'll be firmly pampered. From the moment you land in Madrid until the end of the trip you will be in the hands of your friendly, knowledgeable hosts Emilio and Mamén. They know the area inside out and love sharing their local knowledge with you. You will stay in characteristic, rural hotels. The accommodation was carefully selected for its quality and the presence of adjoining pastures for the horses. During the day on the trails you will be spoiled by relaxing lunch and tapas breaks with delicious homemade Spanish dishes such as paella, tortilla, Spanish ham, followed by a siesta in the quiet countryside. At dinner you can again enjoy renowned local Spanish recipes and specialties. This is not the place to go hungry!

The horses are without a doubt one of the highlights of the trip. Guests ride PRE (Pura Raza Española) horses, almost all of which were bred and trained by Emilio himself. They are strong, reliable and very nice to ride. The horses are considered part of the family and are treated with the utmost care. The rides are easy-going, with exciting canters in-between. The average distance covered per day is 25 to 35 kilometers. The group consists exclusively of intermediate to advanced riders, with a maximum of ten (and the guide). The equipment (English saddles and bitless bridles) is excellently maintained.

Different variants of this route are available. Contact us for more info on available dates and matching routes.

What do others say?

I had an absolutely fantastic holiday that exceeded all my expectations! Everything was meticulously organized, the horses were exceptionally well cared for, and Emilio and Mamén are truly delightful people. Despite the challenging days, it was the perfect introduction to riding holidays. The stunning landscapes, delicious food, and charming rustic hotels all contributed to a flawless experience. Spending seven hours a day on the back of a wonderfully trained horse instills so much confidence that you can fully enjoy and relax without worries. The seamless organization, from Laure-Anne's planning to Emilio and Mamén's execution, allowed for a carefree experience without having to overthink anything before or during the vacation. I couldn't have chosen a better "first" experience, and this sentiment was shared by riders who have been re-booking this trip for years. My inaugural experience with Outside the Corral was truly wonderful, and it certainly won't be my last. Highly recommended for those who can handle long days in the saddle — DON'T HESITATE! Thank you for everything, Laure-Anne — I'll be back!

Hanne Surmont

Via Google Reviews About Castles of Gredos Mountains

From our very first meeting with Outside the Corral, we felt confident with Laure-Anne. She enthusiastically shared details about the various rides, assessed our expectations and skill level. Shortly after, we received a well-thought-out proposal with several appealing destinations. Choosing proved challenging for us, as all options looked fantastic—sorry for the delay, Laure-Anne :-). Ultimately, we settled on the "Castles of the Gredos" ride in Spain—a tranquil and beautiful journey on delightful horses. Despite some days with long hours in the saddle, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It's a form of slow travel, allowing us to set aside the "must-do" list for a week and savor moments on horseback in the stunning natural surroundings. Leading up to the departure, Laure-Anne remained highly engaged, and we truly felt well-informed—perhaps the most informed among our travel group. Thank you, Laure-Anne!

Ine Dullaert

Via Google Reviews About Castles of Gredos Mountains

My riding holiday, Castles of Gredos, in Spain was an unforgettable experience. Beautiful surroundings and well-trained and cared-for horses. Everything was organised to perfection, both leading up to and during the trip. Laure-Anne was always ready to help with all my questions. For booking a riding holiday, you are in the best hands with OTC. I will definitely book with her again.

Tom Werner

Via Google Reviews About Castles of Gredos Mountains

Laure-Anne had prepared the trip incredibly well and really counts down with you until the moment you leave. Amazing! During the trip, there was nothing to worry about. Carefree enjoyment of the horses, the people, the beautiful nature, accommodations and the delicious food. What a beautiful part of Spain too, which you might otherwise never visit. What I find a very big plus: having had some lesser experiences myself in terms of the welfare of the horses on horseback rides, it is blissful that Outside the Corral values this so highly. And how well the horses were looked after there!

Laura Pillen

About Castles of Gredos Mountains