castles of gredos mounTAINS
summer & autumn | €1990pp | spain
RIDE WILD on this medieval adventure
Overview
This route takes you deep into the Gredos Mountains and across the Salamanca province, blending scenic riding with time in some of the region’s most historic villages. You’ll follow old cattle paths, forest tracks and valley trails that link medieval settlements, each with its own castle, stone bridge or centuries-old church to explore.
The riding is varied and rewarding: long canters across open valleys, steady climbs through pine forests, and quieter stretches through farmland and small rural communities.
Traditional Spanish lunches are served outdoors beside rivers, under oak trees or in quiet countryside clearings. Evenings are spent in traditional inns and rural hotels, each offering warm hospitality, regional food and a sense of authentic village life.
If you enjoy a balance of cultural exploration and full days in the saddle, this ride delivers landscapes, history and relaxed Spanish charm in equal measure.
What you need to know
€1990 pp shared room (€220 single supplement)
All meals, drinks, accommodation, activities, luggage transport and transfers to and from Madrid airport included.
24 - 30 May, 31 May - 06 June, 13 - 19 September, 27 September - 03 October, 04 - 10 October, 18 - 24 October 2026
7 days & 6 nights (5 days riding)
4-7 hours riding everyday
Riding through medieval Spanish villages
Shared hotel accommodation
Fast riding
Family run with generous and friendly hosts
Dates: 24 - 30 May, 31 May - 06 June, 13 - 19 September, 27 September - 03 October, 04 - 10 October, 18 - 24 October 2026
Price: €1990pp
Location: Spain
Riding level: Advanced and experienced. Able to control horse in a group up to a canter within open spaces.
Time in the saddle: 4-7 hours a day
Horses: PRE with some pure Hispano - Arab crosses too
Weight limit: 90kg
Currency: Euros
Saddle type: English
Need to know
OVERVIEW
Accommodation during the trip in twin hotel rooms with a private bathroom
All activities including riding
Breakfast, lunch and dinner & beverages
Transfers associated to and from Madrid airport
Luggage transport
What’s included:
Flights into and out of Spain
Accommodation outside of the trip
Tips / gratuities.
Travel & medical insurance (this is mandatory)
Massages etc at hotels
What’s excluded:
Food: Breakfast will be had at your hotel everyday and usually consists of a buffet or a traditional Spanish breakfast including coffee & tea, toast with olive oil, ham, tomatoes and cheese along with juice and cakes. Lunch will be served by Mamen and usually consists of authentic Spanish dishes such as paella. Dinner will be had at your hotel or in the town. It’s usually a set menu with 3 starter choices, 3 mains choices and 3 dessert choices followed by coffee or tea. Drinks including water, red wine and white wine are also included. They can cater for dietary requirements with advanced notice.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is in boutique hotels located in small towns along the way. Rooms are shared but you can request a single with a charge of €220.
Accommodation and food
The horses at Jerebeque Trails are the highlight of the holiday. They are serene and incredibly well mannered, a result of excellent horsemanship and training. Most of the horses were born and bred at home making them truly a part of the family and leaving Emilio and Mamen with some great stories to tell.
Most of their horses are beautiful PRE along with some Hispano - Arab crosses.
They all live in freedom in a large group outside of rides and have the most natural life Emilio and Mamen can offer them. They are above all happy and healthy horses.
Horses
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding boots
Light and loose layers of clothing.
A light rain jacket
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sun cream
A water bottle
Bum bag
A power pack for charging your phone
A charging adapter
A book for entertainment
Toiletries (remember lip balm, hand cream and moisturiser), towel, jodphurs etc
Swim suit
Camera gear
See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.
What to pack:
You may bring 1 soft sided bag or a suitcase but it must weigh no more than 20kg and be 60-65cm high, 40-45cm wide and 20-25cm deep. This is due to there being limited space in the support vehicle. You may also bring a small personal bag such as a handbag or rucsac.
Itinerary
Day 1:
You’ll meet at Madrid airport at 3pm (so make sure your flight arrives before this with time for delays) for your transfer to Sierra de Gredos. You’ll have a short break on the way in the town of Avila which is an amazing walled Medieval town and an UNESCO world heritage site. You’ll enjoy a welcome dinner in your hotel, positioned in a mountain village with beautiful views of the highest peaks in Sierra de Gredos.
Day 2:
Today you will meet your horse and begin your journey through the Tormes valley and pine forest. Riding through open fields, you’ll have a great view of the Gredos mountains. An al fresco lunch with an excellent paella will be had in a fisherman’s hut, cooked on the spot beside the Tormes river which you can swim in during summer & autumn. You’ll have a shorter afternoon on the way to Navacepeda de Tormes before being transferred to your hotel for the night.
Day 3:
Today you will discover the most beautiful views of the Gredos mountains as you ride down the valley through small and remote medieval villages. You’ll have lunch at Aliseda de Tormes, beside the Tormes river and its medieval bridge. The afternoon allows you a long stretch of open trots and canters through the valley to El Barco de Avila. You’ll cross the Tormes river via the Roman bride in El Barco de Avila, a 12th century village with a castle that’s stood the test of time.
Day 4:
Your ride starts on the way to the Salamanca province which features incredible granite formations and rural fields where farmers ride their donkeys. The landscape changes here quickly as you ride through holm oak woods and pastures into Puente del Congosto, a medieval village with a 15th century bridge and castle. The afternoon features nice and long canters to Hoyorredondo where you’ll stay nearby for the night in a rural inn.
Day 5:
This morning features beautiful trots and canters through the flat and open Corneja river valley to Bonilla de la Sierra, a very important medieval town with a stunning church. After lunch, a bbq with Avilan beef steak and Iberian pork, you’ll begin making your way back up into the mountains.
Day 6:
Today is a magnificent mountain ride through 3 different valleys. In the morning, you’ll ride up the mountain to the highest point of the ride, Puerto de Chia, with a magnificent view of the Corneja river valley in the back and the Alberche river valley in the front. A tapas break at San Martin de la Vega allows for great views of the Gredos mountains before you cross the Alberche river and continue on to the Tormes river valley where the ride ends.
Day 7:
You’ll have breakfast at the hotel and depart at around 10am to arrive at Madrid airport at around 12:30pm.
your guides
Emilio and Mamen will be your guides and hosts during your trip, the team behind Jerebeque trails. They were both born in the Gredos mountains and have been organising their riding holidays for a very long time. They work together as a couple like a well oiled machine and will take great care of you.
Emilio leads every ride and always has an interesting story to tell about the area and trail. He personally takes care of all of the horses at Jerebeque trails, breaking them in, training them, and giving them a serene and confident character.
Mamen will accompany you on the trip with her big smiles and dedication to care and service. From the transfer to and from the airport to the preparation of luxurious meals in the countryside, she’s in charge of every detail that will make your trip an unforgettable experience.
The horses are just as much a part of the family and most of them have been bred at home. They are beautiful PRE horses with some Hispano - Arab crosses and you will be matched by Emilio who has a special ability to get the match spot on.
You’ll also be followed by Brasas, a friendly border collie and Emilio and Mamen’s trusted companion.
