Gredos

THE GREDOS MOUNTAINS IN SUMMER

A different approach to nature and birding holidays: TAILOR-MADE holidays based in a single hotel in the GREDOS MOUNTAINS

Dates: July - August - September

Most nature holidays are itinerant in order to give the broadest possible range of habitats and species to be seen in a short time. Although exciting, this can also be tiring and you may prefer a more relaxed holiday and a more in-depth visit to a single area.

In the middle of summer, while the heat makes any outdoor activity unbearable in major parts of Spain, the temperature on the northern slopes of the Gredos Mountains is, although still fairly hot, much more pleasant, and the nights are very cool.

Although August is the peak season for local tourism in this area, there are still quiet remote areas to visit and walk through, and the cooler temperatures of the mornings and the evenings allow for several hours of good birding everyday.

This is why we offer holidays based in a small family-run country hotel in the village of Navacepeda de Tormes, in the heart of the Gredos from which to conduct daily activities and discover this beautiful mountainous region of central Spain. You will not only learn about birds, but also about geology, vegetation and other wildlife in general, discover beautiful pools in the mountain rivers for a refreshing swim in their cold waters, get to know the locals and the local culture.

Although you can tailor the length of your stay and the number of activities to your wishes, we recommend a ONE WEEK (7 days) stay with, for example, the following programme:

Day 1 : Travel from Madrid airport to our hotel in Navacepeda. Time permitting, we shall stop along the way in the large cluster pine forest which lies between Madrid and Ávila. Imperial and Golden Eagles breed here, together with short-toed eagle, black-kite and black stork. Obviously, sightings during this short break will be limited but just the views are worth a stop. After settling in our hotel we may go for an evening walk in the oak wood next to our hotel where we may see Booted Eagle, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Short-toed Treecreeper for example.

Day 2 : Morning walk along the clear waters of the river Tormes. Willows, alder trees, ashes border this mountain river and birds such as the Dipper, all three Wagtails, Bonelli's Warblers, Red-rumped Swallows, Nightingales and many more can be found. Lunch at our hotel followed by free time Evening excursion to look for European Nightjars, and listen to Scops Owl and other nightlife.

Day 3 : Morning walk in the nearby (20 minutes drive) pine forests to look for forest birds such as Citril Finch, Goshawk and Sparrowhawk, Hobbies, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, etc.

Lunch in the village of Hoyos del Espino at one of the best restaurants of the Gredos and return to our village. Late afternoon drive (30 min drive) to the mountain pass of Peña Negra from which to observe the beautiful sunset over the vast expanse of the Northern Plateau, with a chance to look at Ortolan Buntings, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrushes, Tawny Pipit, numerous Skylarks, Northern Wheatears, Booted Eagles, Ravens, etc.)

Day 4 : An all day walk in the higher parts of the mountains. After a short steep walk from the Plataforma de Gredos (aprox. 700 metres), the rest of our route will follow trails that gently slope down following various mountain streams until we reach the valley of the Tormes where we shall be picked up to return to our village. This walk will give us the opportunity of finding mountain species such as Red-billed Choughs, Water Pipit, Bluethroats, Black and Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagle and also Dartford warbler. Depending on the group's enthusiasm and fitness, we could climb a little further (another 700 metres) to try and spot the alpine accentor.

Day 5 : We shall drive to the southern side of the mountain through the Puerto del Pico, following a Roman road part of the way, for a look at contrasting landscapes, totally different to those on the northern side. Here, the temperatures are much higher but it is definitely worth a day's visit. Azure-winged Magpies, Spanish Imperial Eagles, Great Spotted Cuckoos, Bee-eaters and Black storks can be seen here.

Day 6 : Early morning drive to a nearby area of rocky outcrops and evergreen vegetation where numerous raptors nest to watch them leave as the sun starts heating the air. There is also a good chance of seeing other species in this Mediterranean vegetation such as Orphean and Sub-alpine warblers. During the rest of the morning we shall tour through picturesque villages and countryside of the foothills of the mountain range looking for species such a variety of birds, from Black Vulture and Peregrine Falcon to Common Whitethroat, Melodious Warbler, Cirl Bunting, etc.

We shall stop for lunch in the small town of Piedrahita, renowned for its 13th century church with its numerous storks' nests. After lunch, we shall slowly make our way back to our village. Rest of the afternoon free.

Day 7 : Return to Madrid with a stop in the medieval town of Ávila for a coffee and a short walk inside and along the city walls where hundreds of Common Swifts nest. Eighty-two towers and nine gates make up the fortifications. Avila was founded in the 11th century to protect the Spanish territories from the Moors and it has kept its medieval austerity. It is definitely worth a visit.

In your free time, many walks can be done from the hotel. You can also walk or we can drive you to the river for a refreshing swim, you can explore the small village or simply relax and enjoy the views from your hotel!

Cost per person : 775 Euros

Please contact us for availability of dates and/or cost for a tailor-made trip. You may choose to come for a different length of time or to have activities scheduled, for example, only in the mornings in order to have all afternoons free or only on certain days. If you'd prefer to stay in a self-catering country house we can also arrange this for you.

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