Wildlifers

Magical Sierra de Gredos - Independent Walking Tour

When: Spring, Summer, Autumn 2011
Where: Sierra de Gredos - Central Spain
Holiday type: Independant Walking, shared room, no minimum group size
Duration: 8 nights/ 9 days from 690 € pax (based on minimum 2 pers. )

What: This is a tour with walks on varied terrain with plenty of opportunities to observe wildlife, such as the Spanish mountain goat, Capra Hispanica

Recommended: Walking boots are essential and walking poles recommended as there are several long descents. You need to be reasonably fit.

Material: the detailled itinerary and walking walk instructions will be sent to you upon booking confirmation and payment of deposit.

What is Included

8 nights hotel
Bed breakfast and dinner
Information pack + walk instruction
Luggage transfers
Transfers as per schedule

What is not included

Single Room (extra charge)
Public transport + Travel Insurance

	The Gredos Walking tour proposes a great walking holiday in undiscovered Spain. The Gredos is a massive granite mountain range centrally located in Spain, spaning some 160 km and roughly crossing from east to west, it offers scenic landscapes that are truly enjoyable for the summer and spring visitors. An area encompassing the plains, from its Northen slopes and river canyons of Castille and to the province of Extremadura on its Southern slopes. Villages of the northen slopes are perched at altitudes of 1000m or more, those set in the fertil valley of the southern slope (La Vera) are only at 400m. The latters also enjoy a distinctive climate, clearly Mediterranean. This is a tour with moderate difficulty level in average. Definitely a tour for those looking for tranquility and authenticity!
	Valle del Jerte: and Garganta de Los infiernos along the old hunting route These valleys are located West of the Gredos range and have an international reputation for the magnificent show of cherry trees in blossom during a short period, usual by mid March or end of March with . It is undoubtedly when the valley offers its most spectacular scenery and offers a show for your enjoyment. This side of Gredos has many peculiar over hundred year old oaks, all of them are protected. Navaredonda: Walk via the Puerto de Candeleda offering a stunning view over Northen Extremadura. then you walk back to la *Plataforma*. Transfer to Navarredonda
	Circo de Gredos The walk from El Hornillo over the Gredos Watershed takes the best part of a day to accomplish, exchanging the pine and granite of the steep south slopes for the scrub thickets (matoral), wide horizons on the northen side. Over the top, we will emerge on a 12 km strech of paved road linking Hoyos del Espino, a village in the Tormes valley, and the so called Plataforma, jumping-off points to the highest peaks of the Gredos.
	Circo de laguna Grande and Circo de la Cinco Lagunas The Circo de Laguna Grande is the center piece of the Gredos range, with its highest peak, Almanzor (2590 m), looming above, surrounded by pinnacles and Historic splendour sculpted in canyon valleys and other complex shapes. The valley path, actually Alfonso's XIII's old hunting route continues west before ending abruptly at the edge of a sharp, scree-laden descent into the Circo de las Cinco Lagunas. The drop is amply rewarded by virtual solitude and sightings of the grateful Gredos Mountain Goat. There are also species of Salamanders and oads found only in the area.
	The Emperor's Route The route that used the emperor Carlos V (Charles V) from the Western to the Southern slopes of Gredos, on its way from Tornavacas to the Monastery of Yuste where he peacefully ended his days.
	Accomodation: We have selected good quality accomodation that fit well with the authenticity of the natural site. Participants will stay both in refuges and charming family run hotels or traditional farmhouses. Most of the accomodation to be found are simple, the vast majority only offering double bed facilities. We will cover various traditional villages of Gredos: Hoyos del Espino, Navacepeda, Arenas de san Pedro, Laguna Grande, El Arenal, Navaredonda, Madrigal de la Vera.