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?

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

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About

From the very first moment I contacted Outside the Corral, Laure-Anne provided excellent guidance and advice. She took the time to explain the pros and cons of different trips, always taking my experience and expectations into account. After booking my first horse riding holiday in Iceland, I quickly realised how much I loved exploring a country on horseback, immersed in nature and far from the hustle and bustle.

Over the years, I’ve grown more confident in my riding skills and have had the privilege of exploring Iceland, the Costa Brava, South Africa, Botswana, and most recently, Jordan. Each trip has been a truly unique and breathtaking experience.

Laure-Anne has been there every step of the way, providing detailed yet concise information and always being available to answer any question. Her personal approach, dedication, and passion for horses are remarkable, and they’ve already inspired me to start planning my next adventure!

Marie Tavernier

Via

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About

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

Our ride with Outside the Corral was a unique experience. From the beginning to the end, everything was perfectly arranged and the personal contact really made the difference. The estancia was breathtaking – the nature, the horses, the dogs, the cows, the people, the food and the atmosphere were complete. We also felt immediately welcome! The ride was well prepared and thanks to the careful planning we were able to fully enjoy ourselves without any worries. I highly recommend Outside the Corral to anyone who wants to make an unforgettable holiday on horseback. I will definitely book again!