ARAGON TRAIL, SIERRA GUARA - SPAIN
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This very isolated and almost deserted mountain range is on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Here Bertrand has kept his superb mostly pure Arab horses. He is the horse whisperer of the mountains and has a gentle way with animals. The riding on this holiday is thrilling - from steep descents down the side of canyons to exhilorating gallops along open tracks. This is for confident, fit riders. On this horse ridingholiday, you will discover the hidden secrets of the Pyrenees; griffon vulture colonies, historic castles and drovers tracks leading to abandoned stone villages. The contrasting landscapes of the snowy Pyrenees in the North, lush pastures and olive groves on the slopes, down to deserted plateaux in the South is remarkable. Prepare for a week of unforgettable riding on superbly trained, cared for horses on both these trails.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ARAGON TRAIL, SIERRA GUARA
Day 1
Arrival at Zaragoza airport and take the 145 km transfer to the start of the ride. Welcoming meal at Nocito in the evening, presentation of the trip-plan and the horses. Dinner and sleeping accommodation at the inn.
Day 2
Introductory ride from Nocito to test the horses and saddlery to the Barranco Bail for a picnic; we’ll climb to the crests of the Sierra d’Ibirque and ride down to the village of Gesera for accommodation in a rural guest-house following a 5-hour ride
Day 3
After riding through the typical villages of Grasa, Yespola and Belarra, we’ll ride along the Rio Guarga as far as the opening of the Valley of Caldearenas, through which we’ll head up north to the Navasa Inn following a 5h30 ride.
Day 4
First we’ll ride along the South slopes of the Pena Oroel, then westward through deep forests and up the Oroel Pass as far as the pretty village of Santa Cruz de la Seros where we’ll settle at the hostal opposite the superb Roman church following a 6h ride.
Day 5
We’ll start with a steep ride up to the plateau of San Juan de la Pena where we’ll visit the famous 11th century monastery, jewel of Roman art in Aragon and cradle of the Kingdom of Aragon. We’ll ride to the panoramic viewpoint of San Salvador Hermitage for the picnic, and then down again in the early afternoon to settle in the luxury hotel recently fitted out in the 15th century monastery, at the heart of a protected natural area. Free time to visit the museum and enjoy the hotel facilities (a 4-hour ride).
Day 6
We’ll leave the Sierra de la Pena through the villages of Botaya and Ena and head for the labyrinth of Pardinas, a tangle of small valleys hiding numerous isolated and often deserted farms. We’ll halt at the foot of the Sierra Santo Domingo, in a charming little country hotel called “la Posada de Villalengua”, following a 6h ride.
Day 7
Today we’ll ride round the deserted village of Salinas El Viejo and its deep gorge and across the crest of the Sierra at the dramatically beautiful passage of La Osqueta; then we’ll start riding down the South slope to the amazing waterfall of San Felices and the village of Aguero nestling at the foot of its Mallos. We’ll spend the night in flats, following a 5h ride.
Day 8
From here, the guests who have opted for an 8-day stay can depart after breakfast and be transported to either Pau or Zaragoza.
We’ll ride down to Murillo and across the wide valley of Rio Gallego, and then up to the famous Mallos de Riglos, accompanied by the griffon vultures. We’ll ride up to the 11th century castle which overlooks the broad plain of Huesca where the first King of Aragon launched the Reconquista of Spain against the Moors who had been occupying the Iberian Peninsula for several centuries. Accomodation at the hospederia of the village, following a 6h ride.
Day 9
Over the pass of Los Pozos (snow-wells) we’ll leave the Tierra Baja (low land) through the Sierra Caballera and ride into the sierras along the Gorge of Bocafoz, through the village of Bentue de Rasal, along the narrow valley of the Garona to the village of Arguis. Accomodation at an inn following a 5h ride.
Day 10
We see the wide viewpoint from the Sierra de Bones to conclude that superb riding-tour on the crests of the Sierra de Belarra and down to Nocito where we’ll sleep, following a 6h ride.
Day 11
After breakfast, departure and transportation to either Pau or Zaragoza
NOTES - ARAGON TRAIL, SIERRA GUARA
Please note: Meeting point for this ride is the Zaragoza Airport. The return transfer for this ride is €95 for 2009 and consists of a 120km 4WD trip each way as the start is in a remote mountain village. During this riding holiday you will need to dismount and walk next to your horse over rough terrain, so good walking boots are required.
The weight limit for this ride is 15 st/209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
All accommodation, riding, English speaking guide and meals.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Transport to and from Zaragoza, transfers from Zaragoza to the starting point, any tips or items of a personal nature.
FURTHER DETAILS
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