Castilla province near Madrid is in the heart of Spain. This trail rides along the nature reserve of high peaks of the Sierra de la Demanda while not neglecting to visit the many historic and cultural highlights en route. There is much wildlife to be seen on this horse riding holiday in Spain: Wolves, deers, otters, royal eagle, falcon and a lot more. The horses are beautiful Pure Spanish, very responsive and a pleasure to ride. Overnight accommodation is in a variety of characterful small hotels and guest houses with shared bathroom on one or two nights. Two nights are spent in an ancient monastery where you will dine with the monks.
Included from meeting point. Transfer time is approximately 2 hours.
Flight guide
Madrid - London return from £60, see below for flight info.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - THE GREEN MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Day 1 QUINTANAR DE LA SIERRA
Arrival in Madrid and transfer to first nights hotel in Quintanar de la Sierra . Dinner and lodging in Posada las Mayas or Casa Ramón or similar.
Day 2
QUINTANAR DE LA SIERRA – NEILA
From Quintanar de la Sierra we climb a hill, winding through dense pinewoods to Neila. Depending on the weather we may be able to visit the spectacular string of glacial lagoons called – Laguna Negra. These are 10 000 years old and are excellent examples of the power of glaciers and their ability to erode and modify the landscape.
In Neila, the most important logging center of the region, there are fine noble houses and a Roman bridge to admire. Dinner and lodging in Hotel Villa de Neila or similar.
Day 3
NEILA – MONTERRUBIO DE LA DEMANDA
Riding through the immense woods of pines, beeches and oaks we descend to Monterrubio de la Demanda and make our way along the Green Mountain Trail, an old mining railroad. This is particularly impressive in autumn when the trees turn various shades of gold. Between the trees we can see (if we are lucky!) the wolf, beech, wild boar, otter, royal eagle, goshawk and falcon that thrive in this area. In Monterrubio de la Demanda we can see the local church that represents one of the oldest works of the Romanesque Burgales. Dinner and lodging in Centro de Turismo Rural Virgen de la Vega or similar.
Day 4 MONTERRUBIO DE LA DEMANDA – PINEDA DE LA SIERRA
Moving along the Green Mountain Trail and across the valleys and trenches we go towards Barbadillo de Herreras, across the túnel Ferrerias and then on to Pineda, en route descending the pass of El Manquillo. This trail is built on the remnants of the railway that carried minerals from the mines of the Sierra de la Demanda to Pais Vasco’s Blust Furnace. The railroad was dismantled in the Civil War. Dinner and lodging in Casa Rural el Hayedo or similar.
Day 5
PINEDA DE LA SIERRA – ARLANZON
We leave Pineda, the town of beautiful country houses, and immediately ride along the border of Arlanzon’s dam to get to Arlanzón. Depending on the time of year of the year, we may be able to visit the Sierra de Atapuerca’s prehistoric sites, designated as a UNESCO world heritage site in November 2000.
The Atapuerca’s archaeological site was found by accident when the railroad was constructed in 1902. This site has allowed us to improve our understanding of human evolution and determine a new human species, the Homo Antecessor.
Tonight we lodge in a working monastery and dine with the monks - the Monasterio Cisterciense de San Pedro de Cardeña
Day 6
ARLANZON – BURGOS (SAN PEDRO DE CARDEÑA’S MONASTERY)
Today we go to Burgos and then to San Pedro Cardeña’s Monastery where El Cid, the famous Spanish hero, left his wife and daughter to walk into exile and fight the Moors. Today we may have the chance to visit Burgos, the programme is open according season of the year and clients’ preferences. Dinner and lodging in hospederia del Monasterio Cisterciense de San Pedro de Cárdena as above.
Day 7 SAN PEDRO CARDEÑA’S MONASTERY – COVARRUBIAS
We leave the Monastery by a Royal Road that El Cid used in his exile, and ride across the Castilian land towards Sierra de las Mamblas, crossing the Sierra and finishing in Covarrubias, the birthplace of Fernan Gonzalez’s, Castillas’s founder and home to your horses! At the end of the route we visit Covarrubias and finish with a marvellous dinner in a famous Covarrubias’s restaurant, a wonderful end to your horse riding holiday. Dinner and lodging in Hotel Rural Chindasvinto or similar.
Day 8 Departure and transfer to Madrid after breakfast.
Please note: This itinerary is given for your guidance only and it may be altered in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
The weight limit for this ride is 17 st/231 lb/105 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Return transfers from Madrid Barajas Airport, all accommodation, all meals, wine and beer with meals, all riding, luggage transfer, English speaking guide and excursions mentioned.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Drinks other than with meals, spirits, tips.
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What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
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