Horse riding in the Sierra de Francia

The Hotel Abadía de los Templarios, on the outskirts of La Alberca, organises one-hour guided horse rides in the surroundings of the village, in the heart of the Sierra de Francia. It is a relaxing way to see the sierra landscape without having to walk, and the hotel also has a long list of activities for those who spend several days here.

The horse ride

The hotel advertises it as a one-hour guided route through the corners of the Sierra de Francia, at €38 per person. Its website does not publish hours, minimum age or whether experience is needed, nor does it make clear whether the activity is open to those not staying at the hotel. All that is asked when you book, on 923 423 107. If you are going with children, also ask whether there are ponies or whether they can be accompanied, and what clothes and footwear are best. As it is an outdoor activity, also ask what happens if it rains on the day of your booking.

Quads, buggies and other activities

If you prefer an engine, the hotel has guided quad routes with an instructor through natural areas, at €45 for a single quad and €60 for a double, and one-hour routes in a two-seater buggy, also with an instructor, at €70 for a single and €100 for a double.

For those who want to combine, the hotel's activities page also includes:

• Hiking: routes through the Sierra de Francia and the Las Batuecas Natural Park, €16 per person.
• Cycling: bike hire for routes in the surroundings, €15.
• Archery: €27.
• Tennis and padel: on the hotel's own courts, €11.
• Canoeing: a descent of about two hours along the river Alagón, in a one- or two-seater canoe, €42.

For groups it also offers a children's treasure hunt and a visit to a cattle farm (minimum 15 people), a catamaran trip on the Alagón to the walled town of Granadilla, already in Cáceres (minimum 12), and a dramatised medieval dinner at the La Catedral restaurant, in La Alberca (minimum 30 people, with optional costume hire for €7 more). From six people you can even book a balloon flight, at €250.

How to organise it

Always book by phone and in advance, especially on long weekends and at weekends. If you are sleeping at the Hotel Abadía de los Templarios, the convenient thing is to leave the ride for first thing or the afternoon and devote the rest of the day to the village. The old town and Plaza Mayor of La Alberca can be seen in an hour or an hour and a half, and for an easy walk without a guide, the Camino de las Raíces starts from the village itself: 8 km of low difficulty among hermitages and works of art.