Outside the Corral | Transhumance

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.

Best period

February, March, October

Price

From € 2.700

Ideal length

9 days - 8 nights

Level

Experienced

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

90KG

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 discovered Outside the Corral at the horse expo in Flanders Expo Ghent, and I am thrilled that I came across this agency! The exceptionally beautiful website caught my attention, and I fell in love with the trip in Portugal. Laure-Anne assured me that it’s suitable for novice riders and solo travelers, providing the reassurance I needed. Despite encountering various health-related challenges before leaving, Laure-Anne guided, assisted, and supported me every step of the way. I have never experienced such outstanding service and never felt so at ease with someone I didn’t know before. The trip itself surpassed all expectations—it was unpredictable and fantastically good! I cherished every moment of it.

Tine De Clercq

Via

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About

Booked a riding holiday to Slovenia with Outside the Corral, couldn’t be happier! Booking was a breeze, everything was very clearly explained in the detailed program. Communication was timely, fast and thoughtful. The program even had some nice extras, like a checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything before leaving. The riding experience was above my expectations. The horses were very well cared for and the guides were super nice and knowledgable. I will definitely book again.

Maïté Who

Via

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About

Laure-Anne helped me make my dream trip come true. The perfect trip to discover Africa with great people! Before and during the trip I was always informed and could ask questions at any time. The only thing I had to arrange was the flight ticket and after that everything was arranged top notch! As a solo traveler, I did sometimes have my doubts, but Laure-Anne was always there to reassure me. A fantastic experience with professional guidance that was always available throughout the trip. I can’t wait to book my next ride!

Saskia Wajsbort

Via

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About

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.