Horse ride through the Tormes valley

Gredos a Caballo sets out from Hoyos del Espino any day of the week. All its routes include a fully equipped horse, a guide and accident insurance, and cover the upper Tormes valley with the sierra and the Gredos cirque always ahead of you.

The two-hour ride, to start

It is designed for those who have never ridden or ride little, or for those who want to combine it with other activities on the same day. It goes through Scots pine woods, broom scrub, country lanes, moorland and the bank of the Tormes. It costs €45 and admits children from 8 or 9 years old, so it is the option for families. No experience is needed: just a willingness to learn and enjoy the horse in the countryside.

If you already ride

The half day (€60) is for those who ride regularly and are fit enough to spend half a day on horseback. It goes through the Tormes valley, among Scots pine, rowan, broom scrub and pasture, along old bridleways, muleteers' routes and village tracks; if the weather is good, it stops for a rest at a bar or kiosk in the pinewood. The full day (€115) follows the same valley and includes lunch, in a restaurant in the area or in the countryside if the weather allows.

The company also organises weekend and multi-day rides, such as the Jerte valley, the Gredos valleys or the Camino de Santiago, full-moon night rides in summer and tailor-made routes for groups. The dates of the longer rides are in its calendar of scheduled routes.

What to bring and how to book

Ideally riding boots or gaiters and a helmet; if you do not have them, long trousers with trainers or boots will do. The helmet is optional and they lend you one. Times change between summer and winter and depending on the groups formed, so they are fixed when you book, through the form on their website. No weight limit is published: if you have doubts, ask when requesting a place.

Where to sleep and what to combine

With the Hotel Rural Cuarto de Milla they offer two-night packages in a double room with breakfast: with a two-hour ride, €105 per person; with a two-hour ride each day, €140. They are valid any day except long weekends and weekends in July and August.

After riding, in Hoyos del Espino you have the Aguas de Gredos spa circuit, and the next day, the walk up to the Laguna Grande.