Walking in the Sierra de Gredos

Walking in the Sierra de Gredos

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Walking in the Sierra de Gredos

8 Days Starting and ending in Hoyos del Espino

Visiting: Hoyos del Espino, Sierra de Gredos, La Laguna Grande, Navarredonda de Gredos, Ávila‎, Salamanca, Morezón, Tormes

Tour operator:

Exodus

Tour code:

W07GD

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 6

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

15 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

History, Wildlife Tours

Activities:

Trekking, Walking

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

This region offers a wealth of varied walking routes from your base in the northern half of the Sierra in the tiny village of Hoyos del Espino, nestled on the edge of the Gredos Regional Park and against a breathtaking backdrop of jagged granite peaks. Choose from gentle meadow strolls through the flower-filled river valleys, or comfortable higher level hikes (the park is at 1800m), where you're likely to meet wild goats and spot huge griffon vultures soaring overhead. In order for you to really get to know the entire region, we have included detailed route notes for optional day walks in the southern half of the Sierra; a contrasting cluster of tiny Mediterranean-like villages tucked away among terraces of olives, figs and vines. The beautiful historic cities of Avila, Toledo and Salamanca are also easy day trips.

Highlights

  • Paradise for bird lovers: woodpeckers, red kites, griffon vultures and buzzards

  • Excellent gastronomic cuisine and superb Spanish wines

  • Fabulous walks in undiscovered Spain: mountain vistas, ancient Roman roads, riverside tracks and authentic villages

  • Extensive and totally flexible walking

  • Possible day trips to historic Avila, Toledo and Salamanca; extra nights in Madrid are also recommended

Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1 : Arrive In Hoyos Del Espino
Location: Hoyos del Espino
Meals Included: Dinner

Arrive at El Milano Real, your luxurious base for the next 7 nights, tucked
away in the northern foothills of the Sierra de Gredos. Before dinner you
will be welcomed with a glass of champagne and have the opportunity to
discuss your week's walking options.

Day 2 : The Seven Springs Walk
Location: Sierra de Gredos
Meals Included: Breakfast

A pine carpeted track takes you first to the peaceful River Tormes then,
ascending gently past wild strawberries and pink crocus, you enjoy incredible
360 degree views of the jagged Gredos mountains. Ibex cluster in the luscious
pastures peppered with springs and fountains.

Day 3 : La Laguna Grande
Location: La Laguna Grande
Meals Included: Breakfast

This magnificent walk takes you up to the impressive Laguna Grande set
between the majestic Morezon and Almanzor peaks - the latter being the
highest in the Gredos at 2,592m. The wild and dramatic glacial bowl is a
fantastic picnic spot - look out for sure footed ibex silhouetted against the
skyline. Above, red kites and huge griffon vultures soar on the thermals.

Day 4 : Navarredonda 9Km/6Mi/2.5Hr Or 16Km/10Mi/4.5Hr
Location: Navarredonda de Gredos
Meals Included: Breakfast

A great day for enjoying the diverse landscapes of the Northern Gredos. Wend
your way across the broom-covered hillsides with long distance views to tiny
white villages nestled in the vines. There are shady pine woods, and
flower-filled meadows where black Avila cattle graze as you pass to reach
idyllic picnic spots by the river.

Day 5 : Optional Visits To Avila Or Salamanca
Location: Ávila‎, Salamanca
Meals Included: Breakfast

We've left today free for independent exploring, however we strongly
recommend the 50 minute drive to the historic Spanish city of Avila, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Set against a backdrop of the Gredos Mountains, this
walled city - many sections of the walls are still intact - dates back to
11th century, and its 87 towers and 9 gates are the most complete in Spain. 
Alternatively, Salamanca, is arguably the country's most graceful city with
its dual Gothic and Romanesque cathedrals, and is just 90 minutes away.

Day 6 : The Morezon 13Km/8Mi/3.5Hr Or 14Km/9Mi/4.5Hr
Location: Morezón
Meals Included: Breakfast

If the skies are clear today, you'll feel you can see forever! It's not
unusual to have 70km views south all the way across the plain to the Toledo
Mountains - especially if you climb to the top of the Morezon (2389m). A real
'on top of the world' experience shared only with wild goats!

Day 7 : Waterfalls And Meadows 14Km/9Mi/3.5Hr Or 16Km/10Mi/4Hr
Location: Tormes
Meals Included: Breakfast

If you choose to stay close to home, today's relaxed walks explore the valley
of the River Tormes. Look out for dippers as you amble past stunning
waterfalls and through the shady forests and alpine meadows reminiscent of
Switzerland. Alternatively we provide a selection of walks in the southern
Gredos, just a 45-minute drive away.

Day 8 : Leave Hoyos Del Espino
Location: Hoyos del Espino
Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Hoyos del Espino

What's Included

  • All accommodation

  • Europcar Group B air-conditioned hire car (on flight inclusive packages)

  • Management by local hotelier

  • All gourmet breakfasts and evening meal on first night

  • Route directions and maps

  • Europcar Group B air-conditioned hire car (included when booking a flight-inclusive package)

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 1 dinners.

What's Not Included

  • Picnic lunches (available for supplement)

  • Visas and vaccinations

  • Dinner on subsequent nights (available for supplement)

  • Hire car (on land only packages)

  • Travel insurance

  • Single supplements

  • Dinner on subsequent nights (available at a supplement)

  • Hire car (on land only packages - available at a supplement)

  • Picnic lunches (available at a supplement)

  • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

Food

The cuisine of Gredos is simple but tasty. Local specialities include roast lamb (cordero asado), haricot beans cooked with chorizo sausage (judías del barco) and cochifrito, which is a pork stew with aromatic herbs. On this holiday, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a combination of traditional local and Spanish dishes and more elaborate international creations. Fresh seasonal produce is the prime ingredient so menus change depending on what is in season and available locally. Spain is renowned for the quality of its wine and this includes those from the Castilla-Léon region, although not much of it comes from the area surrounding the Sierra de Gredos. Castilla-Léon is predominantly known for its red wine, which includes D.O. Ribera del Duero produced using the tempranillo grape. The flavours range from fruity young reds to fuller-bodied aged wine. Another robust local wine is the D.O. Toro (meaning ‘bull’). White wine produced in the area includes D.O. Rueda, cultivated in the Valladolid province based on the local grape, Verdejo. Rueda is the main white that you will find in the Madrid area and prices are reasonable. You will find an extensive wine list at the hotel offering a wide selection of local, regional and international wines. We have included wine on your first evening to introduce you to those available.

Accommodation

Excellent hotel serving superb regional cuisine. You'll eat well on this holiday, our luxurious rural retreat, the stylish Hotel El Milano Real offers outstanding gastronomic menus. With an extensive bodega of more than 500 Spanish wines, we've included wine on the first evening to give you a taste of what's on offer! There are fabulous views from the hotel itself and the excellent Aguas de Gredos spa centre is just next door, great for aching muscles and offers a 15% discount to Headwater customers.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    15+ Age people can go on this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific health risks.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this Operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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