The Sierra Nevada, Spain
13 - 20 August 2016
The Sierra Nevada covers an area of approximately 1,000 square miles and forms
the highest mountain range of the Spanish mainland. This is a region of great
natural beauty offering spectacular mountain views.
You ride through an ever changing landscape, no two valleys, ravines or
summits are alike. The flora varies according to the altitude. In one day it is
possible to pass from Mediterranean olive and almond groves up through
chestnut and oak woods and on through pine forest to the high summer
pastures irrigated by the snow melt.
The ride follows ancient bridle paths and drovers’ routes, dating back
to the Moorish occupation and before. In places the paths are cut into
sheer rock, in others laboriously built on dry stone walls forming the
terraces of small mountain farms. You will also pass through white
villages with their terraced gardens and typical Moorish architecture.
The main industry of the area is the cultivation of almonds, figs and
vineyards.
In the Sierra Nevada you ride through one of the most beautiful regions of
Spain - an area unseen by ordinary tourists. Little has changed here over
the centuries; the mule and ox still pull the plough in the tiny terraced
fields, the horse and mule still provide transport and the shepherd still
tends to his flock of sheep on the mountain side.
The Alpujarra
The Alpujarra is the South face of the Sierra
Nevada mountain range, the highest
range in Spain reaching 3,486 metres. Due
to the altitude and the proximity of the
Mediterranean the flora and the terrain is
very varied. On this ride, you ride high into
the mountains above the villages where it is
generally too cold to ride other than in the
summer months.
Following the ancient bridle paths, valleys
and farms, you ride through a very varied
terrain from mountain pasture lands and
pine forests to almond and olive groves as
you approach the villages from above. The
views are spectacular and the peace and
stillness of the mountains are awe-inspiring.
High in the mountains you escape the
heat of the valleys. You will need a head for
heights as you will ride over the high passes
to the north.
The Riding Available
This is a wonderful ride on excellent
horses through an incredibly beautiful
mountain area. The horses are mostly
Andalusian and Andalusian crosses,
ranging in height from 15 to 17 hands (no
stallions). All the horses have been broken
in and schooled by their owner and
your guide, Dallas Love. They have been
carefully selected for their intelligence,
endurance and good natures. The horses
are fit, happy and strong, they enjoy their
work and are a real pleasure to ride. This
is an opportunity to ride an excellent
horse on the trail rather than in the ring.
This ride is only for experienced riders. It
is expected that you can manage a horse
at all paces. You are also expected to
groom and tack up your horse while on
the trail although assistance is available
if you need help. Great care is taken in
the selection of horses according to
the riding abilities and preferences of
each individual.
a walk, but there are also opportunities
for canters. On some of the very steep
descents it is necessary get off and lead
the horses on foot and it is important to
have good dual purpose boots for walking
and riding. Riders therefore should
be prepared to mount and dismount
regularly from either side. These rides are
not recommended for those who suffer
from vertigo or who have heart problems.
Riding time averages about 6 hours
daily (unless otherwise specified in the
itinerary).
Due to the mountainous terrain and
steep paths, much of the ride is taken at
www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Riding-events
Itinerary
This ride is bespoke to World Horse Welfare and takes place in the
Alpujarra in the Sierra Nevada in Spain. The daily itinerary will be
determined by Dallas and the needs of the horses.
- There will be 2 longer days in the middle of the trail which will
take you over the high passes to the north side, these days will be
up to 10 hours long.
- You will overnight in a 'refuge' - a bunkhouse with 8 guests in one
room sharing 2 bathrooms (other guests may be staying here) Your
towels and sleeping bags will dropped off ready for you with the
horse feed and will not need to be carried. Your change of clothes
and sleeping bag liner will be carried on the horses as there is no
Accommodation
For most of the ride, you stay in small, family run
village hostels and hotels in twin bedded rooms with
en-suite facilities. The accommodation is clean but
simple and does not offer room service or lifts. The
hotel in Berchules has an unheated pool which is
open during summer months.
There is no single supplement if you are
prepared to share a twin room. This may
mean that you have a twin room to yourself
or in some hotels you will have a slightly smaller
single room. If you do not wish to
share then it is usually possible to guarantee a single
room by requesting it in advance and paying a single
supplement.
Meals
Breakfast in Spain is very simple - coffee or tea and toast and
jam. However you will not be hungry since lunch will either be a
substantial picnic carried with you on the horses or eaten at a local
restaurant or bar depending on where you are riding.
In the evenings you normally eat at a restaurant in the village
where you are staying. This will be Spanish cuisine in the local rustic
style, using quite a lot of meat (veal, pork, chicken) and fish and the
delicious locally cured hams accompanied by locally grown
vegetables. You will generally have three courses – and sometimes
there will be a choice. With prior notice, vegetarians can be catered
for both at the picnic lunches and in the restaurants, but you may
find that the variety of vegetarian food is sometimes limited.
Children
This challenge is not suitable for children. All riders must be 18 or over.
Phones & Electricity
There is some good mobile phone coverage within the villages however it is poor in the mountains. Some of the hotels will also have
Wifi. You will need a European adapter for any electrical appliances.
vehicle support. Everything you need will be carried on your own
horse. Once committed to these days, there is no going back.
- There will be some periods of walking on foot, possibly up to ½
.,
hour on 2 or 3 sections so you must be fit to undertake this ride.
- The last 2 days will be shorter; one of 5 hours and then a morning
ride on the last day.
- This ride goes up to 3,000m so is not for the faint hearted, those
with vertigo or heart problems and you must be very fit and strong
to take part.
Weather
The temperature from March to early May averages between 10°C and
20°C with the possibility of showers. From late May to June it is usually
between 25°C and 30°C. In July, August and September, the temperature
can reach 35°C. In October it averages between 10°C and 25°C. Due to the
altitude the sun is very strong and it is essential to use sun protection all
year. In summer bring dark sunglasses, long sleeved shirts with a collar
to protect your neck and hats. In the evening the temperature drops and
even during the summer months a light jumper or jacket is required.
In March, April, May and October you should bring warm clothing and
waterproofs. The weather in Spring and Autumn in the mountains can be
changeable and it is best to be prepared for all conditions. Bring clothes
that can be worn in layers.
Passport & Visas
You must be in full possession of a valid passport to visit Spain. The
passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date.
British passport holders do not need a visa for Spain.
Health Information
No inoculations are required for Spain. You are advised to ensure that you
have up to date protection against tetanus and polio and most medical
experts will also advise vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid.
You must inform us of any medical conditions and dietary requirements
before travelling. Anyone with severe allergies, heart or respiratory conditions, a known reaction to high altitude or any other physical limitation
must consult their physician before embarking on this ride and a doctors
letter of fitness will be required.
Money &
Tipping
You will need to pay locally for alcoholic and soft
drinks; tips; shop purchases.
Tipping is optional, but as a guideline we
recommend £10 (USD 15 or Euro 12) per night
per guest but this amount is entirely at your
discretion. Payment can be made with Euro
cash.
What to Bring List
Try not to bring too much - since the
airlines are becoming stricter now on
baggage allowances and you will have to
carry your own bag from the hotel
reception to your room at each location. It
can be useful to bring a second smaller bag
in which you can separate out and leave
items not needed on the trail.
Waterproof clothing – essential for Spring
and Autumn months, although it is unlikely
to rain in the summer months of July and
August.
Comfortable riding trousers/jodhpurs –
riding is informal so bring what you feel
comfortable riding in.
Gloves - your hands will be particularly
exposed to the sun for long periods.
Half Chaps – as the narrow mountain
paths can pass through thorny bushes it is
advisable to wear chaps as protection.
Credit cards and debit cards are very useful
for cash advances. Visa cards are the most
widely accepted cards. While ATMs are widely
available, there are no guarantees that your
credit or debit cards will actually work overseas.
You should advise your credit card company
that you plan to travel. Do not rely on credit
or debit cards as your only source of money. A
combination of cash and cards is best and we
recommend you always take a little more rather
than less, as you don't want to spoil the trip
by constantly feeling short of funds. However,
everyone is different with regards to their
personal spending.
There will usually be an opportunity to look at
the local shops in Bubion at the end of the ride
(selling ceramics, local crafts etc).
Water bottle
T- shirts & long sleeved shirts – with a
collar to keep the sun off your neck. Also
important to stop you being scratched
where the paths are narrow through
bushes and low trees.
Riding boots with rubber sole, also suitable
for walking on stony ground - full length
riding boots will not be either practical or
comfortable. The best would be
jodhpur boots or a pair of the dual purpose
riding/leisure boots now available.
Hat -a hard hat is required. A cap is also
advisable as protection against the sun
when not riding.
Jumper, fleece or similar jacket – apart
from in late June, July and early August, it
can be quite cold in the mountains in the
mornings and evenings and you
should have warm clothes which you can
remove in the middle of the day, when it
may be warm.
Sunglasses - we recommend a lace/cord
attached to your sunglasses to that they do
not fly off.
Cotton bandana – good to soak in cold water
& wear round your neck or wrists. Also good
protection from dust.
Sunscreen and insect repellent – due to
the altitude the sun can be strong and we
advise a high factor sun screen.
Passport – and a photocopy of your passport can
be useful, just in case you lose the original.
Casual clothes - for the evening.
Any medication you regularly take – if you take
any unusual medicine it is advisable to carry a
doctors certificate confirming their use.
Swimsuit/shorts
Camera
Wash bag - a nail brush will be particularly
useful after a day in the saddle. Towels are
provided in the village hotels where you
stay.
Bum-bag – small shoulder bags or numnah
pouches are provided on each horse,
but you may find that a small bum-bag
is useful for keeping your camera or
sunscreen readily to hand.
The road between Malaga and Bubion is twisty
in the mountains and so we recommend you
pack travel sickness medication if you are prone
to car sickness.
Credit card
Travel insurance documents – including the
emergency number of your insurance company.
Terms and conditions
1 World Horse Welfare is acting as
agent for In The Saddle (ATOL5359
ABTA No. W1733). You will be bound
by In The Saddle’s booking conditions
once you have been accepted to take
part in the event.
2 To reserve your place on the World
Horse Welfare Sierra Nevada Challenge,
and as an indication of your serious
fundraising intent, we require a nonrefundable registration fee of £200 and a
commitment to raising at least a further
£2000 in sponsorship for World Horse
Welfare (£1000 by 31 Jan 2016, £1600 by
29 April 2016, £2000 by 20 July 2016).
NB. All registration fees and sponsorship
monies must be made payable to World
Horse Welfare. We are not able to accept
CAF vouchers or CAF Charity Card as
payment for this trip.
3 If you are unable to meet these
requirements you may forfeit your place
on the challenge – you can of course make
up any shortfall yourself.
4 Should you, for whatever reason,
not be able to take up your place all
sponsor forms and monies collected
MUST be paid over to World Horse
Welfare – or if so requested, returned
to the sponsor and proof of return
forwarded to World Horse Welfare.
5 You must be over the age of 18 by the
date of departure.
6 World Horse Welfare and In The Saddle
reserve the right to alter or revise the
itinerary should the circumstances
dictate.
7 World Horse Welfare reserves the
right to refuse participation without
disclosing the reason.
8 Hard hats are required.
9 You must be in possession of a valid
passport to visit Spain You do not need
a visa for Spain.
Your passport should be valid for at
least six months beyond your return
date.
10 To take part simply fill in the
registration form and return it to
World Horse Welfare with your nonrefundable registration fee (£200). We
will then send confirmation of your
booking, a fundraising pack (if required)
and more details.
What is included?
Return flights from London Gatwick and airport taxes. Transfers, accommodation for
7 nights, meals and all riding.
What is not included?
Travel insurance, alcoholic drinks or coffees at lunch or dinner, gratuities.
Registered charity no: 206658 and SC038384
Participants must arrange their
own suitable insurance for health,
repatriation, accident and loss and
provide proof prior to departure. A
copy of your policy MUST be forwarded
to World Horse Welfare by 29 April
2016. No-one will be permitted to
travel or participate without adequate
insurance cover. We also recommend
riders travel with a European Health
Insurance card.
It is essential that all participants
have full travel insurance that covers
them against personal injury, medical
expenses and death for the full
duration of their challenge. We also
recommend that your cover extends to
trip cancellation and personal effects.
You will need to provide proof of your
insurance by 29 April 2016. There are
many policies available, but Sportscover
Direct offer good cover for a reasonable
price. Their Ventureguard policy is
designed for adventure sports, but
you must specify horseriding when
purchasing any insurance and clarify
regarding condition 8. You could also try
www.trailfinders.com.or the Post Office.
If over 60 years of age, or if you have a
medical condition, you MUST obtain
written consent from your doctor to
participate and provide a copy of this
written permission to World Horse
Welfare by 29 April 2016.
All riders participate in the World Horse
Welfare Sierra Nevada Challenge at
their own risk.
For this event World Horse Welfare will
act as agent for In The Saddle, who will
provide accommodation and all ground
support in Spain. World Horse Welfare
and In The Saddle are unable to accept
responsibility or liability for any loss,
damage or injury, which may result in
the cancellation or curtailment of the
event for any reason outside of their
control.