A relaxed and comfortable equestrian vacation, great for families and less experienced or fit riders. Guests stay at the same hotel on most nights, but enjoy horseback riding out daily on different itineraries through the wild landscape of the Gredos Mountains, home to the Iberic Goads, golden eagles or black vultures. Mid-week, the group travels to another town located in the Tormes River valley to spend the night. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the crystal waters of the rivers in the mountains. The guide has years of experience in the area, and is dedicated and enthusiastic about this horseback riding trail. His warmth and care of the riders contribute to a wonderful holiday.
Ride homebred pure Andalusian and pure Hispano Arab horses, born and brought up and trained by the guide. They are well loved and used to gentle English riding methods. The hotel accommodation is of a high standard with comfortable en suite rooms and hot shower. An aperitif is never very far away!
There are no reviews for this holiday at the moment
Day 1
MADRID NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS: Meet at Madrid airport, transfer to Navarredonda de Gredos, 2 hour drive with a stop in Avila for a short town visit. Welcome dinner at the Hotel.
Day 2
NAVARREDONDA DE GREDOS: Easy day to the mountains riding through summer pastures, lunch stop by the river with an excellent paella. Afternoon through the pine forests, good canters and trots. Dinner and overnight at El Milano Real (or similar) in Navarredonda.
Day 3
NAVARREDONDA – PUERTO DEL PICO: Head to Puerto del Pico through the Pine forest on the cordel, the path that connects the glens. Beautiful views of the Tietar River valley and Toledo and Caceres provinces. Lunch at a local restaurant. Good canters and trots in the afternoon through san Martin del Pimpollar. Dinner and overnight at El Milano Real (or similar) in Navarredonda.
Day 4
NAVARREDONDA – BARBELLIDO: Ride in the direction of the highest mountains stopping at Barbellido River for lunch and a swim in the crystal waters (weather permitting). Afternoon canters along the Tormes River valley. Dinner and overnight at El Milano Real (or similar) in Navarredonda.
Day 5
NAVARREDONDA – CAHARCO DE LAS PAREDES – NAVALPERAL: Following the Tormes River through Navacepeda, a historic town in the mountains on the way to Charco de las Paredes. Stop for lunch and a swim along the way. Afternoon downhill to Navalperal de Tormes by the river. Dinner and overnight at a local hotel.
Day 6
NAVALPERAL - NAVARREDONDA: Head back to Navarredonda via the Tormes River valley, a fast riding morning. Lunch and a swim at a scenic site. Afternoon canters again through the Pine forest. Say goodbye to the horses. Dinner and overnight at El Milano Real (or similar) in Navarredonda.
Day 7
Breakfast at hotel, departure at 10am to reach the Madrid airport by 12pm.
A small group supplement is payable locally for groups of less than 4 riders. Please enquire with your travel consultant to see if this applies to your chosen date.
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
Homebred PRE and Pure Hispano-Arab horses with English saddles and tack are utilised. The horses are responsive, well behaved and good natured ranging from 15 - 16 hands. They are perfectly groomed and well shod. The ride is at a moderate pace with walking, some trotting and regular canters. The terrain has no drop-offs although there are mountains all round.
Riders should ideally be able to walk, trot and canter and have expereince of riding out. Some riding fitness is advised as up to 6 hours are spent in the saddle each day with a break for lunch. As the ride is based it is possible to have a day off to relax and explore the area without the horses. It is an advantage to be able to mount and dismount unaided, but not essential as help is usually at hand. There is a minimum age of 10 for children who must be competent riders.
The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
5 nights are spent at the El Milano Real boutique hotel (or similar). All rooms are double/twin with extra beds available if arranged in advance and have en-suite bathrooms. The hotel offers beautiful views. There is a spa at the hotel (treatments at own cost). One night is spent out at a small rural hotel, again with private bathrooms.
Meals are of a Mediterranean flavour including paella, Avilan beef, salads, fish, Iberic ham, sheep's cheese and excellent red and white local wines and aperitifs included in the price with the meals.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Spain.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/spain
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
The climate is dry continental weather. Spring's mild temperatures around 18ºc with sunny and cloudy days, an excellent time to ride. Summers are dry and sunny, the temperature during the day around 25º - 28ºc good for picnics beside the rivers and swimming.
Autumn usually Sept and Oct are months with temperatures around 18ºc, sunny and cloudy, excellent time to ride in Gredos .
The temparatures in the night are lower in spring and autumn, but the hotels are comfortable with central heating.
COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Spain and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
In Spain the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly
There is electricity in the hotel rooms and camera equipment can be recharged each night. Most towns and villages will sell some batteries and film. If you want to bring a GoPro please be advised that you will have to have permission from all other guests and guides that they are willing to be filmed.
- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Riding Boots - it is important to have correct shoes or boots for horse riding. Jodhpur or ankle boots with a rubber sole are recommended but sturdy shoes with a definite heel are acceptable (such as walking boots)
- Half Chaps - these are great when worn with ankle boots and help prevent the stirrup leathers rubbing against your legs
- Jersey/fleece
- Shorts
- Long trousers (evenings)
- Long sleeve shirts (great for layers when riding)
- T-shirts
- Underwear/socks
- Waterproofs
- Sarong or wrap
- Swimsuit
- Sunscreen
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Camera, spare Batteries/Chargers - an absolute must! It is also a good idea to take a camera case you can strap around your waist or onto a belt for whilst you are riding
- Binoculars
-Toilet paper (for only when out riding)
Please note that maximum weight for the whole luggage is 23kg, in case of exceeding the limit there is a charge of €60 per week.
This is a 7 day/6 night programme with 5 days of riding on set dates. Extra dates can be arranged for groups of 4 or more.
2025: 6 (Full), 13*, 20* July; 3*, 10 (Full) Aug; 16 Nov (*Confirmed)
Single supplement is compulsory if booking alone. A small group supplement is payable locally for less than 4 riders. 2024: €150pp for 2 or €100pp for 3 riders.
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | per person sharing | 1,599 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | single supplement | 179 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | per person sharing | 1,885 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | single supplement | 209 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | per person sharing | 2,219 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | single supplement | 245 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | per person sharing | 21,169 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 5 | single supplement | 2,329 |
Gredos is a National Park where the Hispanic goat is the icon. You may also see royal (golden) and imperial Eagles, Red and black kite, black vulture, black stork, falcon.
Fox, wild boar, red squirrel, different types of deer, badger...
Flora depends on the different level of altitude. In the spring, a grand multicoloured carpet of thousands of flowers. At the highest level in the Gredos the yellow broom flowers with their very characteristic aroma can be experienced in the spring.
Non riders can travel in the support car and join the riders at meal times and join in any other activities or if they wish, they can rent a car in Avila and explore on their own and join the group for the evening meals.
Castilla y Leon is very historical region. Riders can visit, before or after the ride, very interesting towns like Toledo, Salamanca, Segovia, Avila... All are towns full of history.
Spain is a beautiful and diverse country, the second largest in Europe. The official language is Castilian Spanish but Catalan, Galician and Basque are also spoken. Territory includes two island archipelagos – the Balearics and the Canaries – and two enclaves on the North African coast, bordering Morocco – Ceuta and Melilla. The African influence can be found throughout Spain but especially in the south, for example the guitar was invented by the Spanish when they added a sixth string to the Arab lute. Music and art permeates Spanish culture, most obviously displayed in the fire and passion of the Flamenco and the stunning modern architecture found in the cities.
The famous siesta is still enjoyed by the majority of Spaniards, most shops close at lunchtime for two or three hours so everyone can escape the often scorching afternoon sun. Evening meals are served late into the evening with plenty of wine or sangria. Often meals can last two or three hours, especially if your host is serving Tapas, small and varied dishes of meats, bread, vegetables. Paella is also a delight and very popular across the country.
Spain is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for Spain is +34.
