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4 Day Breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountain Ride from Lanjaron, Granada
Lanjarón, Andalusia, Spain
Stunning Spain Horse Riding Holiday
This listing has the most popular offer available in in Spain
Make the most of the spectacular surroundings of the Alpujarra hills and Sierra Nevada mountains on this fun horse riding holiday in Spain. You will enjoy two full days of trekking in the area and spend a night in a remote mountain cottage for a horse riding holiday with a difference. Go learn to horse ride beautiful Andalusian horses at this idyllic retreat in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Spain and immerse yourself in equestrian life on this unique horse riding holiday like no other!
Key information
- Rider Weight Limit: 90 kilos for experienced riders, 75 kilos for beginners, and 80 kilos for novice riders
- Horse Height Range: 14 to 16 hands
- Tack Type: English tack, Western tack available on request
- Horse Breed: Andalusian horses, Andalusian-Arabian cross horses, and Cob horses
Meet the instructors
Sarah
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Highlights
- 2 days of fun full-day horse riding
- Approximate daily riding time: 4-8 hours
- Stunning scenery with views across to Africa
- The assistance of horse riding instructors
- Use of all the horse riding equipment
- Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
- 3 nights' accommodation
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
2 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Dutch, Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 15 participants
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
While in Lanjarón, you will be accommodated at a Spanish farmhouse or hotel near the spa town, where people come from miles around to take the waters which are said to contain minerals for eternal youth. Just 45 minutes’ drive from Granada. The pool is normally open by Easter but if it is a very warm spring, it can be open earlier (depends on the weather). The accommodation provides Wi-Fi as well.
The hotel accommodation has swimming pool and will be in the town of Lanjaron.
Program
This fun horse riding holiday will take you out on treks to enjoy the beautiful and extremely diverse surroundings of the Alpujarras Mountain, as well as the wide choice of easy hacks right through to challenging trail rides in this spectacular area of Southern Spain. With the stables situated 1,200 meters above the wonderful town of Lanjarón, during your treks, you will see some of the most incredible views of the surrounding Andalusian countryside with the coastline of Africa visible on very clear days.
You will follow old Moorish mule paths and valleys where the horse, mule, or oxen still to this day pull the plough to harvest the Earth’s crops. This short break is more than just a horse riding holiday, but a chance to discover the remarkable Andalusian scenery and to witness the culture where even today, the tradition remains very much part of everyday life.
This horse riding holiday is suitable for all levels from complete beginners to advanced riders. Please note that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and must be supervised on a ratio of one adult to three children. Children may join family treks or ride with other children of similar ages from the age of 5. Lessons can be given to the four-year-olds and above.
Itinerary
Day 1:
You will transfer from Malaga or Granada airport (cost not included) to the tiny spa town of Lanjaron, "the gateway" to Alpujarras. Your accommodation for the night will be at the Alpujarra Guesthouse high in the mountains and close to the Ranch. These small mountain cottages have a swimming pool for use during the summer months. Dinner prepared by your host and cook, Emily, at the simple and beautiful local guesthouse. Hotel, Guesthouse or Cortijo accommodation can also be arranged in the local town of Lanjaron.
Day 2:
Breakfast at the guesthouse/hotel and then you will be driven to the stables to meet the horses and your guide. High mountain trek with the chance of plenty of canters on the logging tracks. Through scrubby oak forests to high mountain pastures of the Sierra Nevada. Trekking through the pine forests of Puente Palo (the bridge of the sticks) and through El Prado de las Liebres (the meadow of the hares). A picnic lunch to be enjoyed in the pine forest before returning to the Ranch via the Mirador de Cañar to the west. Evening meal at the guesthouse / hotel.
Day 3:
Breakfast at guesthouse / hotel. Today you will be following the Lanjaron river gorge climbing high into the mountains on a 600 year old cobbled mule track through the Chestnut forests to the waterfalls of El Tello. Lunch at high altitudes in walnut orchards and alpine meadows. A faster pace ride after lunch to take you the Tello ridgeroad mountain track. Dropping back down to the Ranch in the afternoon. Evening meal and night spent in mountain cottages or local hotel.
Day 4:
Breakfast at the guesthouse / hotel. You will be wished a fond farewell as you are transferred to either Malaga or Granada airport (cost not included). Please note, the itinerary may vary and be altered according to the abilities of the group, the weather, and at the discretion of the guide.
What you will learn
You will spend your two days of trekking through the hills and mountains and your instructor will guide you in the basics of riding if you are a beginner to help you develop your balance and control over the horse to help to create a harmony between yourself and the horse. As for intermediate to advanced riders, you will have the chance to develop your existing skills with plenty of opportunities to canter and gallop. Due to the stunning countryside and mountain trails, trekking is a big focus here and you can ride to your heart’s content. Sarah will be assisted by another teacher and a team of friendly volunteers who will help with the day to day care of the horses in return for riding lessons. Please note that groups with more beginners will have a higher ratio of instructors to riders (usually one to eight).
About the horses
The center has around 16 well-trained and schooled horses varying in ages to suit the beginner and advanced rider. The horses range in height from the smallest horse at 14 hands to horses up to 16 hands and they are mainly Andalusians, Andalusian crosses with one Arab, and also Cobs and ponies. All horses are fully trained to be ridden either Western style or traditional style.
Please note that although the riding school has a wide range of horses to choose to ride, the horses on the working holiday, unfortunately, cannot take riders over 15.8 stone (100 kilograms). Moreover, they type of tack that is used is mainly English tack, although Caballo Blanco Horse Riding & Trekking Centre does have some Western saddles.
Instructors
Sarah Vesey
In 1993, Sarah set up a riding center in the beautiful Andalucia region of Spain and has never looked back. She was born in the New Forest, England and has ridden all her life. Sarah owns and runs the trekking centre and is a qualified horse riding guide and instructor and she lives at the ranch with her family.
Location
Lanjarón is famous for its water springs which are dotted all over the hills. Many Spanish come here to drink the water which is said to contain minerals for eternal youth. The towns in the surrounding area are heavily influenced by Gothic and Moorish architecture. While out on the hills, you will be surrounded by almond, olive, and citrus groves which are still tended to by “man and his mule”. This area of Spain really is steeped in history and rich in culture.
The stables are situated on a small plateau at a height of 1,200 meters above the spa town of Lanjarón in the Las Alpujarras region of Andalucia, close to Granada, Spain. Wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, hills, and Sierra Nevada Mountains are evident in all directions. You can even see the coastline of Africa on a clear day. It is also near to the busy market town of Orgiva which is boasting many bustling tapas bars.
Since 1980, Lanjarón has celebrated Midsummer’s Eve in honor of San Juan Bautista (John the Baptist) with its Fiesta del Agua y del Jamon (Water and Ham Festival) although the ham aspect has been overshadowed over the years by the liquid element. At the stroke of midnight on June 23, the small mountain village erupts into the greatest water fight in Spain and maybe even the world.
Famous for its mineral water, Lanjarón is the perfect destination for this crazy water war. Locals make sure they park their cars out of town in anticipation of the liquid onslaught that attracts revelers from all over the country and further afield. At midnight, participants take to the streets armed with buckets, water pistols, and anything else they can get their hands on. Total strangers soak each other to the skin while ladies spray the crowd with hose pipes from the safety of their balconies, filling up their buckets in the process.
By the time the whistle blows at the end of the fight, there is a river running through the streets and all are soaked to the bone. After a quick change of clothes, the cerveza starts pouring, fireworks fill the sky, and the real party begins. Over the next few days, revelers celebrate the calm after the storm with a feast of mouthwatering jamon (ham) and another product for which Lanjaron is renowned.
Only its ruins remain over a rocky promontory near to the town. It is located about 600 meters of altitude. Its location was superb because on one hand, it dominated the access road to the Alpujarra and on the other, the one that communicated Granada with the coast. The castle was surrounded by a wall defended by two great towers of rubblework, one to the north, semi-circular, and another one to the south.
Fernando, the Catholic King, conquered the town in 1490. Its Moorish inhabitants rebelled again in 1500, a revolt that was controlled by the Christians after an epic defense. The captain who defended the place preferred to throw himself from a tower before surrender. It participated in an active way against the Napoleonic troops in the Independence War and its inhabitants received the qualifying name of “canoneros” since then. The castle is currently being renovated.
Distances
- Federico García Lorca Granada Airport (GRX) - 45 minutes
Food
You will be served 3 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches, and 3 dinners. You’ll have a picnic lunch during your treks as well as a Spanish breakfast and full dinner each day.
Although all meals are provided, Caballo Blanco Horse Riding & Trekking Centre also offers a "stop to shop" service with transfers where you will be taken to a large city supermarket if you would like to shop for one hour before arriving at your accommodation. The transfer service costs an additional 10 EUR.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Lanjarón is famous for its water springs which are dotted all over the hills. Many Spanish come here to drink the water which is said to contain minerals for eternal youth. The towns in the surrounding area are heavily influenced by Gothic and Moorish architecture. While out on the hills, you will be surrounded by almond, olive, and citrus groves which are still tended to by “man and his mule”. This area of Spain really is steeped in history and rich in culture.
The stables are situated on a small plateau at a height of 1,200 meters above the spa town of Lanjarón in the Las Alpujarras region of Andalucia, close to Granada, Spain. Wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, hills, and Sierra Nevada Mountains are evident in all directions. You can even see the coastline of Africa on a clear day. It is also near to the busy market town of Orgiva which is boasting many bustling tapas bars.
Since 1980, Lanjarón has celebrated Midsummer’s Eve in honor of San Juan Bautista (John the Baptist) with its Fiesta del Agua y del Jamon (Water and Ham Festival) although the ham aspect has been overshadowed over the years by the liquid element. At the stroke of midnight on June 23, the small mountain village erupts into the greatest water fight in Spain and maybe even the world.
Famous for its mineral water, Lanjarón is the perfect destination for this crazy water war. Locals make sure they park their cars out of town in anticipation of the liquid onslaught that attracts revelers from all over the country and further afield. At midnight, participants take to the streets armed with buckets, water pistols, and anything else they can get their hands on. Total strangers soak each other to the skin while ladies spray the crowd with hose pipes from the safety of their balconies, filling up their buckets in the process.
By the time the whistle blows at the end of the fight, there is a river running through the streets and all are soaked to the bone. After a quick change of clothes, the cerveza starts pouring, fireworks fill the sky, and the real party begins. Over the next few days, revelers celebrate the calm after the storm with a feast of mouthwatering jamon (ham), another product for which Lanjaron is renowned.
Fernando, the Catholic King, conquered the town in 1490. Its Moorish inhabitants rebelled again in 1500, a revolt that was controlled by the Christians after an epic defence. The captain who defended the place preferred to throw himself from the castle tower before surrender. The town participated in an active way against the Napoleonic troops in the Independence War and its inhabitants received the qualifying name of “canoneros” since then.
The castle is currently being renovated. Only its ruins remain over a rocky promontory near to the town. It is located about 600 meters of altitude. Its location was superb because on one hand, it dominated the access road to the Alpujarra and on the other, the one that communicated Granada with the coast. The castle was surrounded by a wall defended by two great towers of rubblework, one to the north, semi-circular, and another one to the south.
Distances
- Federico García Lorca Granada Airport (GRX) - 45 minutes
You will be accommodated at a local hotel in the spa town of Lanjarón.
Just 45 minutes’ drive from Granada.
The hotel accommodation has a swimming pool and Wi-Fi.
You will also stay in mountain cottages while on trek, which also have pools and Wi-Fi.
- Spa treatment in Lanjarón
- Visit to the Moorish castle of Lanjarón
- Visit to Orgiva, the 'capital' of the Alpujarras
- Wind-surfing and kayaking on the reservoir
- Visit the beautiful beaches of the Costa Tropical
- Alpujarras nature and birdwatching
- Countryside exploration by horse
- Full-day trail rides
- Visit historic Granada city and the Alhambra palace
- High-level trekking in the Sierra Nevada
- Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada
- Ski touring in the Sierra Nevada
- Snowshoeing in the Sierra Nevada
What's included
- 2 days' horse riding
- Assistance of at least one horse riding instructor
- All horse riding equipment
- 3 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches, and 3 dinners
- 3 nights' accommodation
What's not included
- Flights
How to get there
Recommended Airports
GRX
Federico García Lorca Airport (Granada Jaén Airport)
39 km
Transfer not provided
AGP
Málaga Airport
94 km
Transfer not provided
Driving directions from Lanjarón
- Head towards Motril and the coast from Granada.
- Follow the signs to Lanjarón.
- Turn right onto the bypass upon reaching the village.
- Notice a Repsol Petrol Station on your left-hand side just before leaving Lanjaron. At 600 meters past the Repsol garage, there is a left-hand turn with the sign "Caballo Blanco" in the bank.
- Turn left up this steep concrete track.
- Continue up for 15 minutes, following the signs to Caballo Blanco.
- Go under a bridge on a third of the way up to the ranch.
- Keep left after the bridge. The last sign is on a sharp right-hand bend by a white rock.
- Head down the track and park where you see the other cars below.
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Málaga Airport (AGP). Transfer from and to this airport is available upon request.
Although Federico García Lorca Granada Airport (GRX) in Granada is the nearest airport, most guests use Málaga Airport (AGP), as there are many more flights to choose from. Caballo Blanco Horse Riding & Trekking Centre also provides transfers from Málaga Airport (AGP) at 110 EUR and from Federico García Lorca Airport (GRX) at 60 EUR per vehicle. The prices are for each way per car and up to four persons.
Federico García Lorca Airport (GRX) is only 45 minutes away while the Málaga Airport (AGP) is 90 minutes away. You can fly to Granada by using British Airways from London City Airport (LCY). If you are coming out on a long weekend, Caballo Blanco Horse Riding & Trekking Centre strongly recommends this airport to maximize your time with them.
If you are flying into Málaga Airport (AGP) and your flight is delayed or even brought forward for any reason, it would be a great help if you could text or call Caballo Blanco Horse Riding & Trekking Centre to let them know before you get on the plane. If you book well enough in advance, you can get flights for as little as 50 GBP return. Please note that Ryan Air has a very strict baggage allowance policy so it is well worth checking before you get to the airport.
Arrival by bus
Caballo Blanco Horse Riding & Trekking Centre can also help you with the bus schedules and arrange collection from the bus in the local town of Lanjaron for 10 EUR. A cheap and reliable bus service runs from Granada to the nearby village of Lanjarón takes around one and a half hours. On your arrival at the village, you’ll be collected by your hosts and driven to the house.
You can also get a bus from Malaga to Granada and change for the bus to Lanjarón that takes about three hours. To organize a pick-up from the village of Lanjarón to the accommodation, please call your host Sarah when you are in Malaga or Granada with your expected arrival time to ensure someone is there to meet you. Moreover, a full and detailed directions will be shown on your booking confirmation.
Arrival by train
The train service is usually more expensive and longer than the coach / bus and it is only available from Granada.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 16.94% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
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