CIDER TRAIL ITINERARY | La Vaquera Travel

Introduction:

Spanish Cider Trail is all inclusive weeklong horse riding holidays with 6 days in the saddle, 7 nights in total, located in Asturias province, north of Spain.

This rather slow trail is focused on spectacular views, cheese and cider production and wonderful local cuisine.

Sure footed horses will carry us over the mountains of breathtaking Picos de Europa National Park, climbing up to beautiful mountain pases and down to picturesqe villages. We will trot daily and have several ocasions for canters strictly condicioned by the landscape.

Explore the Cordillera Cantabrica which, unlike many other parts of Spain, retain their snowy peaks throughout the year and offer spectacular scenic views. The horses are sure-footed and trustworthy. Forests, rivers and natural lakes all contribute to Austurias' natural beauty, making it a haven for horse-exploring. Finish on the shores of the Atlantic and enjoy the scenery of the cliffs and bays of the costa verde, or green coast. Accommodation is provided by small hotels and guesthouses along the route.

As well as riding, this holiday includes a visits to see how local Spanish cider is produced (complete with tasting!) Finish the trail with a evening in Oviedo, the historic capital of the Asturias. This is the ideal destination for intermediate riders who want to explore the high mountain ranges as well as enjoy beach riding and gourmet culture in this hidden corner of Spain, untainted by mass tourism.

Day 1
Arrive and transfer from Bilbao Airport (3hr) to Cangas de Onis, an 8th century village that defended Christianity in times of Moorish invasion on the Iberian peninsula. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Los Lagos Nature or similar.

Day 2 - Lagos de Covadonga - Saint Cave and Basilica de Covadonga
After breakfast, visit the Gamoneo cheese factory then ride to the beautiful Lagos de Covadonga glacial lakes (4hr ride). Lunch in the restaurant and then drive down to visit the Basilica de Covadonga . Later, transfer to Oseja de Sajambre for dinner and accommodation.

Day 3 - Oseja de Sajambre - Posada de Valdeon (5hr ride)
Ride in the morning through the limestone mountains of the Cantabrian Massif and the Beech and Oak forests with a climb of 1450m to Panderruedda. After lunch, ride through a green and quiet forest on the descent to Posada de Valdeon (960m) where the group will stay for the night. Dinner and overnight at the Casa Begońa or similar.

Day 4 - Posada de Valdeon – Espinama (6h ride)
In the morning we only ride11km of comfortable and picturesque ascent to Pandetrave mountain pass 1566 m. That will be 2,5 hours, setting off from the height of 926m we will stop on the alpine meadow to have a lovely hot picnic lunch. After lunch, we will ride 3h, 15 km of most scenic route leading over the villages and forests to the village of Espinama (1000m), where we will stay for the night.
Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Remońa or similar.

Day 5 - Espinama – Sotres (3,5h)
Today, before the ride we will visit nearby beautiful village of Potes where you can find unique souvenirs and admire local stone/wood architecture. After the lunch we will ride 14 km through the glacial scenery right on top of the central moraine, formed by the forces of two glaciers pressing against each other in the late Pleistocene. We will leave from a height of 900m to reach 1668m and down to 1030m where village of Sotres is located.
Dinner and overnight at the Penia Castil Sotres hotel or similar.

Day 6 - Sotres – Tielve (3h)
Let's say goodbye to the mountains and the National Park Picos de Europa, with a short but technical 9km to the village of Tielve where the horses will be loaded to the truck and we will take 50 minutes’ drive to Póo de Llanes where you can enjoy the beach. If we are lucky we may witness very special natural spectacle on the edge of ocean and land. Bufones - natural water fountains reminiscent of geysers throw water up in the air at the high tide and unsteady ocean.
Dinner and overnight at Villa Miramar or similar.

Day 7 - Póo - playa Cuevas del Mar (4h)
Today we will spend our time on wandering at the Atlantic coastal paths, passing through villages and visiting small picturesque beaches. After 4h ride we bid farewell to horses at Cuevas del Mar beach and visit so called "Llagar" a place where delicious cider is produced. After trying different kinds of cider, we will drive half an hour to Oviedo, the capital of Asturias to visit the UNESCO monuments and taste the night life.
Dinner and overnight in Oviedo, in the Hotel Astures or similar.

Day 8 - Farewell and transfer to the airport.
After breakfast, we will set off for airport.

Included:

7 nights accommodation in twin or double rooms with private bathrooms, all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8, drinks including tea, coffee and water and wine and cider with dinner, transfers to/from Oviedo or Bilbao, 4-6 hours riding on 6 days, English speaking guide.