Explore one of Europe’s best kept secrets — Castile’s Sierra de Gredos — the highest and wildest mountains in central Spain. Superb hiking in an area of truly abundant nature (one of Europe’s best birdwatching destinations and Spain’s largest population of Ibex), great scenery and traditional culture, unscathed by modern development and mass tourism, and offering much quieter trails than in more well-known areas such as the Pyrenees and Picos de Europa. Only 90 minutes from Madrid, access to this area is easy and convenient!
We offer 2 self-guided itineraries, both beginning with a night in the walled city of Ávila, one of Iberia’s best preserved medieval cities (UNESCO World Heritage site) and a fascinating place to explore. Next day, head to the mountains where you can choose from various daily walk options, depending on local conditions and your interests.
Our spring & autumn trip features 2 overnight bases, one on each side of the range, allowing you to experience the best of two completely different environments: first in a village set at 1500 meters (4920 ft) in a high northern valley; then you’ll traverse on foot to your 2nd base at 800 meters (2625 ft), in a lower, warmer & sunny southern valley.
Our summer itinerary uses only 1 base, in the high northern valley and is designed for exploration of the cool alpine zone from 1750 to 2300 meters with daily opportunities for easy summit ascents & refreshing dips in natural river pools down in the valleys.
For those with less time, shorter itineraries can be easily arranged! We can also provide a local mountain guide if you want to do something more challenging, like an ascent of the range’s highest peak – Almanzor.
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