Spain: Andalucia 2022

Doñana National Park is a natural reserve in Andalusia, southern Spain, in the provinces of Huelva, Cádiz and Seville. Covering 125,000 hectares the biosphere consists of marshes, shallow streams interspersed with native pine forests, sand dunes, beaches and spectacular cliffs has biodiversity that is unique in Europe. The park features a great variety of ecosystems and shelters wildlife including thousands of European and African migratory birds, fallow deer, Spanish red deer, wild boars, European badgers, Egyptian mongooses, and endangered species such as the Spanish imperial eagle and the Iberian lynx. All this ends in miles of beautiful and pristine white sand beaches stretching between Matalascanas and the mouth of the Guadalquivir river. 

It is a paradise for horses and horse-lovers as within the park boundary, there are still over a thousand wild horses living free – the native Marismeña breed; the ancient ancestor of the horses first taken to the new world by Spanish conquistadors, as well as being one of the founding breeds of the modern Andalucian horse.

The equestrian centre is located just on the outskirts of El Rocio. This beautiful Spanish town, steeped in history and rich cultural traditions, is a like no other. We are reminded of a different era, a time when horse power was still central to our lives. All the roads are made of sand to suit horses instead of cars  and everything  in this charming  town is in fact completely geared towards horses and riders. Drinking and eating is even done astride if you so wish. Each year pilgrims travel from all over Spain in late May or early June  to honor and celebrate “Romeria of El Rocio”, the festival of the Virgin of El Rocio and one of the largest pilgrimages in Spain and boasts the largest number of horses per square meter in the world!

A beautiful route  through the protected area of Doñana National Park awaits you. You will explore the different ecosystems on horseback –  the marsh, forest, dunes and beach. 

You will ride for about 6 hours every day and return to your comfortable accommodation every night to relax. Your horse will be taken care of at the end of the day’s trail and you will return to your mount after breakfast to continue the trail.

Each day will be different but you start and finish at the finca. Breakfast will be at 8 and you will start the day’s trail between 9.30-10.00. You will ride until its time for your picnic at around 2.00 pm. Perhaps you may take a nap before you get back in the saddle for another two hours trail ride.  You will leave your horse at the end of the ride and you will be taken back to the finca for relaxation and a delicious dinner at around 9.00 pm.

Please note that the trail typically last for 6 nights with 5 days of riding. Some dates have been extended to include an additional night and opportunity to visit the Royal Riding school in Seville as well as take in some of the sights of the city. 

The accommodation here is new and built in typical Spanish style. The entrance leads you into a very spacious room which is open plan. It is furnished with very comfortable sofas with a dining area and every facility you need for a relaxing stay. There are four double bedrooms upstairs that each have a fabulous well thought out bathroom. From the second floor you can look down on the beautiful room below. There is wifi.

A master chef prepares the meals offsite using local quality ingredients. You are also offered excellent wine to accompany your lunch and dinner. You will enjoy home grown tomatoes, freshly squeezed orange juice and eggs from the farm’s chickens.
Breakfast will consist of coffee, tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, bread, eggs and yoghurt. Lunch at home is always a three course meal and dinner will be lighter. On the trails lunches may be a picnic en route.