Walking in the Sierra de Gredos
Walking in the Sierra de Gredos
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:
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:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
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
Itinerary
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
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All accommodation
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Europcar Group B air-conditioned hire car (on flight inclusive packages)
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Management by local hotelier
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All gourmet breakfasts and evening meal on first night
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Route directions and maps
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Europcar Group B air-conditioned hire car (included when booking a flight-inclusive package)
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 1 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Picnic lunches (available for supplement)
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Visas and vaccinations
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Dinner on subsequent nights (available for supplement)
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Hire car (on land only packages)
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Travel insurance
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Single supplements
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Dinner on subsequent nights (available at a supplement)
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Hire car (on land only packages - available at a supplement)
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Picnic lunches (available at a supplement)
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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
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
15+ Age people can go on this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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