Transhumance

The Transhumance ride is a real travel back in time, as you ride 200 kilometres along ancient drover routes, from Extremadura to the Gredos Mountains (or vice versa), just like cattlemen have done with their cattle for centuries. It’s a unique journey, crossing three different regions of Spain (Extremadura, Castilla la Mancha and Castilla y Lyon) and riding long distances every day.

Discover this journey

Best period

February, March, October

Price

From € 2.450

Ideal length

9 days - 8 nights

Interested?

Get in touch

Highlights

Ride in the footsteps of an ancestral tradition of Spanish culture: the transhumance, the migration over long distances between the mountains in summer and the lowlands in autumn and winter.
Experience the thrill of a real expedition through Spain, 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
  • 9 days - 8 nights
  • Experienced
  • Groups up to 10
  • 5 - 7 hours/day in the saddle
  • Madrid

At a glance

On this authentic 9-day trail ride (8 nights, 7 days of horseback riding) from hotel to hotel you will explore on horseback the Sierra de Gredos and Extremadura region, located west of Madrid. You will ride 200 kilometres (25 – 35 kilometres per day) following the Cañadas Reales. These are ancient drover routes criss-crossed in Spain, that have served the pastoral communities for many years. These tracks are 75m wide and stretch for 700km in length. Today they are still used by cattle herders who move their cattle between summer pastures in the mountains and winter pastures on the lowlands, called the transhumance. On this ride, you will follow the Cañadas Reales from Trujillo to Navarredonda de Gredos (or the other way around, depending on the time of year), crossing three regions of Spain - Extremadura, Castilla la Mancha and Castilla y Lyon.

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 advanced riders, with a maximum of ten (and the guide). The equipment (English saddles and bridles without bit) is excellently maintained.

In February and October the route goes from the Sierra de Gredos to Extremadura. In May, the route is the other way around.

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
My trip was really lovely! I was a little bit nervous as I have only travelled alone in the UK (I'm English myself so it was exactly the same as travelling around Belgium). But everything went smoothly, from the flight to picking up my car (I rented a car through Hertz, definitely recommended!). At check-in, everything went really perfectly too, I got a beautiful (and big!) room overlooking the garden. The staff were super friendly and helpful, making my solo trip feel a little less alone! The food is also mouth-watering, I still dream of the lamb dumplings.... The stables are the cleanest I have ever seen, the horses are treated with so much love and it shows. The riding lessons themselves always took place in the indoor arena, due to bad weather. I learnt so much during the lessons, for which my huge thanks to the instructor. This will definitely not be my last time to book with you, and who knows, maybe back to Poland. I would also like to thank you for the great care from start to finish!
Shelby Hulmes
About Masuria Sports & Countryside
I've always dreamed of a riding holiday abroad. After all, with a horse you get to places you never reach otherwise. Determined to embark on this journey alone, I stumbled upon Outside the Corral. Instantly, it felt right. Their website exuded clarity and honesty, instilling a sense of trust within me. What truly resonated was that Laure-Anne, the founder, had personally experienced the destination. She had witnessed the people, interacted with the horses, and ensured impeccable organization and care for these majestic creatures. This attention to detail gave me a comforting sense of security. Before the trip, I reached out with a few questions, and the communication was fantastic. Laure-Anne shared a brief account of her own experience, fostering a sense of familiarity. It also reassured my loved ones back home. I also liked the idea that you can communicate in your own language in case something happens. There are far too many incredible moments to recount them all, but the entire experience was an enchanting tapestry. The horses were exceptionally well-cared-for, reflecting the passion and devotion of the knowledgeable duo who led our journey. And great travel companions, with whom I visited special places, saw beautiful views and had a lot of fun.
Linda Wielders
Via Google Reviews About Monfragüe National Park Ride
Laure-Anne from Outside the Corral paid attention to my holiday wishes from the very first moment. She took care of a proper preparation and literally took me on a journey to my holiday destination. During the entire stay in Spain, the horses and guests were well taken care of. We rode in a beautiful area with a diversity of scenery, from flat countryside, valleys to steep cliffs. We spent six to seven hours in the saddle per day and during the breaks we enjoyed delicious tapas and traditional local dishes. Lunches were lavish picnics, each day in a unique spot, in the middle of nature. Living so close to nature feels very exclusive. The experience of a Michelin restaurant can hardly compete with this. ;-) The composition of the group was amazingly good. Our group consisted of ladies, various age groups, and we interacted in a casual way. The holiday exceeded my expectations. It was truly fantastic and can highly recommend it!
Brigitte Verhoeven
Via Google Reviews About Monfragüe National Park Ride

Ready to discover the horse riding holiday of your dreams?

Get in touch