Gredos Short Break — BLACK SADDLE
BLACK SADDLE
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GREDOS ESCAPE

4 Nights| From €1,450 per person sharing | Gredos, Spain

 

MOUNTAIN ESCAPE


OVERVIEW

For hundreds of years when temperatures rose in Madrid, the great and the good made their pilgrimage to the beautiful Sierra de Gredos mountains for the cooler temperatures, beautiful landscapes, and in those days, excellent hunting.

This short break, riding in the mountains and the valleys of Gredos, is a great introduction to this part of Spain in the heart of Castile. Great views, very diverse landscapes, great changes in the vegetation and the terrain, a varied pace depending on the terrain. Hours in the saddle and pace of the ride can be adapted to suit private groups needs and abilities.

LET’S RIDE

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Dreamy mountain escape

  • Four nights in an iconic historical hotel

  • Well trained Spanish horses

  • Guided by the serene Selma

  • Old-school feeling riding from village to village

  • Dreamy pop up gourmet aperitivo on rides

  • Restaurant dinners with wine included

 

OVERVIEW

RIDE GUIDE

Duration: 5 days / 4 nights / 3 days riding

Cost: €1,450 per person sharing + a single supplement of €150 for your own room for all four nights.

Operator: Equiberia

Languages: You must speak fluent english to join our rides

Max Riders: 10

Min Riders: 6

Departing: Madrid Airport

Riding Level: Experienced. Many years riding with a natural seat. Comfortable riding at speed over uneven ground in open spaces.

Weight Limit: Maximum of 90kg / 198 pounds in your riding clothes and boots.

Time in the saddle: 4 - 7 hours a day

HORSES

The horses are mostly Anglo-Hispanos (Andalusian & Thoroughbred cross), ranging in height from 15-16hh, and selected for their good nature and endurance.

You’ll ride in english saddle and bridles. Small saddle bags are provided.

This is a great ride for everyone from advanced riders to those just getting back into riding after a long break. It’s social, with safe horses, varying landscapes, comfortable accommodation and wonderful food.

ACCOMMODATION

All four 4 nights are spent at the National Parador of Gredos ***, an ancient hunting lodge built for the king Alfonso 13th. The Parador are famous heritage hotels in Spain and destinations themselves.

This hotel is special as it’s the first Parador opened in Spain.

Single accommodations can be arranged at an additional charge.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All meals, shared accommodation, horses, guides, road transfers from Madrid at the set times, wine with meals and a very good hotel breakfasts.

WHAT’S EXCLUDED

The price does not include international or domestic flights, mandatory travel insurance, or staff tips (which are optional but appreciated).

Subject to availability you may have your own room at the hotel for a cost of €150.

TRANSFERS

Riders will be met at the Madrid Adolfo Suárez International Airport – Terminal 4 – arrivals at 3pm the day of arrival.

If you stay in Madrid the night before you will need to make your way to the airport for 3pm or we can arrange pick up from your hotel for an additional cost.

On the final day you will be dropped at Terminal 1, usually around 12pm. If you are staying on in Madrid you can take the metro into town or catch an Uber.

RIDING

Comfortable riding through beautiful mountain landscapes, villages and forests. There are some opportunities to canter and the horses are forward and easy to ride.

MEALS

You’ll enjoy a very good hotel buffet breakfast in your historical hotel.

A support vehicle will follow the riders during the trip, meeting for aperitifs and lunches. All the meals are included while on the trek. The local cuisine is excellent and much consideration is taken when planning the meals to provide visitors with a sampling of the many different dishes produced in the area. Lunch is usually a picnic in the countryside with set tables, chairs and small feast every day!

Dinner at the Parador features a varied selection of the typical cuisine. Vegetarians can be accommodated with advance notice.

The usual schedule for meals: Breakfast 8.30. Aperitif at 12.30pm.

Lunch at around 2.00pm, followed by a siesta. Dinner is usually served at 8.30- 9.00pm.

Drinks outside meals - at the hotel bars - are not included. The hotel has a full bar upstairs and many interesting nooks and crannies to explore.

WHAT TO PACK

Refer to our FAQ for what to pack on a horse riding holiday.

Riding boots / Chaps, Sun hat, Riding helmet, Trainers / walking shoes, Shoes you don’t mind getting wet, Swimming costumes, Warm jumper / Jacket (evenings and early mornings will be cold), Light waterproof, Water bottle, Rucksack, Casual wear, Smart casual for evenings at the house though dresses are very welcome too. The beautiful house warrants at least one night in a long dress or dinner jacket, Personal medication, Sunglasses, Mosquito repellent, Sun hat and glasses, Head torch, Portable phone Charger

INTERNET

There is good cell reception on all parts of the ride. Download an e-sim from Airalo and install before you arrive to be connected at all times.

Use our code BLACKS3976 to receive $3 off your e-sim credit.

DEPARTURE DATES

Each ride is €1,450 per person for four nights and three days riding.

The season is open from April to October.

Join an exclusive Black Saddle departure or as a private group with a minimum of six guests.

2025 DATES | €1,450

16 - 20 April 2025 Black Saddle Exclusive

Fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile with your preferred dates and we will get back to you with availability.


SIERRA DE GREDOS

WEATHER + CLIMATE

During the months of June and September you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures that fall between 20°C and 26°C.

  • Spring (April to June) is a wonderful time to ride in Gredos when all the wildflowers are in bloom.

  • July has an average maximum temperature of 29°C and is the warmest month of the year.

  • The coldest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 8°C.

  • October tops the wettest month list with 114 mm of rainfall.

  • July is the driest month with 17 mm of precipitation.


ITINERARY

This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Your hosts may change the itinerary to take advantage of weather conditions.

 
 

 

PRICES & AVAILABILITY

The season is open from April to October.

Join an exclusive Black Saddle departure or as a private group with a minimum of eight guests.

2025 DATES | €1,450

16 - 20 April 2025 Black Saddle Exclusive

Fill in an obligation-free Rider Profile with your preferred dates and we will get back to you with availability.

HOW TO BOOK

As the ride is less than €2,000 the full balance will be due to secure your saddle.

Cancellation Terms

More than 90 days in advance the full deposit is returned net of bank charges and a €250 cancellation fee per rider to cover our time spent organising your holiday. 

90 - 61 days in advance the deposit or 50% of the full amount is forfeited.

60 – 0 days in advance 100% of the full amount is forfeited.

 

YOUR GUIDE

SELMA SALOME

Ethereal Selma is Danish but has made Gredos her home since she was a teenager. Selma arrived to Gredos in 2018 when she was mentored by Maria Elena, who established the rides here in the 90s.

After being forced away from her beloved horses to attend university, Selma returned at the earliest possible moment to take up the reins as the lead guide. An excellent horsewoman with a calm and serene nature, she will have you relaxed and having fun on trail in no time.

Selma spent a season guiding at Jakotango in Patagonia so many of you may recognise her from there.


ACCOMMODATION

PARADOR DE GREDOS

Built in 1928 to house the king's hunting parties, the Parador de Gredos is an iconic hotel partially owned by the government to preserve Spain’s most interesting and historic hotels.

This Parador also figures in the history books as the place where the founding fathers of the Constitution met in early 1978 to draft the Magna Carta. From that time, the Salón del Silencio (Silence Room) has been preserved, renamed the Salón de los Ponentes (Speakers' Room), where they drafted the first text of the Spanish Constitution.

Rooms are furnished with hand carved wooden furniture with stunning views over the mountains and a full bar.

 

OTHER RIDES IN SPAIN

SEGOVIA ESCAPE

4 Nights / 5 Days / 3 Days Riding

An easy short-break for experienced riders in stunning Segovia in the heart of Spain. The walled city has a roman aqueduct, a medieval heart and renaissance castles. Even Disney was inspired and the Alcazar was a model for the famous Disney castle.

The riding is fast paced and sporty. You’ll canter and gallop in open fields - a joy for experienced and fit riders. The horses are well trained and forward. We love the combination of incredible views, history and fast riding.

Guided by the wonderful, Ana

DISCOVER FAIRYTALE SEGOVIA

A WEEK IN SEGOVIA

7 Nights / 8 Days

If three riding days is just not enough you can extend your stay with Ana in Segovia to a full week.

This is a progressive ride, moving from hotel to hotel as you over more distance exploring the area.

Experience Segovia at a canter with many opportunities option to jump stone walls and fallen trees.

DISCOVER SEGOVIA AT A CANTER

COMBINATION GREDOS + SEGOVIA

7 Nights / 8 Days

Get the best of both worlds with a tasting tour of both the mountains of Gredos and the history and fast riding in Segovia.

You’ll visit the mountains first, staying in the famous original Parador Hotel and riding with the wonderful Selma, before transferring to Segovia, watching for views of Avila and it’s 1000 year old city walls.

You’ll spend three nights in Segovia with a different itinerary to our short stay, so if you’ve already visited and want more, much of this will be new for you.

DISCOVER THE GREDOS + SEGOVIA ITINERARY

LOCATION