Getaway In Castilla Y León: A Few Days In The Sierra De Gredos
Easter comes with a few days off and what we most want is to go out to the mountains and connect with ourselves in nature. We are going to the Sierra de Gredos!
The Sierra de Gredos, land of roe deer, partridges and vultures, is one of the largest in the Central System. If you live in Castilla y León and have a few days off this Easter, an interesting option may be to visit the northern area, in Ávila, well known for its lakes.
Routes to do on foot
Two highly recommended routes to do on foot are the Laguna Grande, a glacial lagoon that acts as a great mirror of the Gredos circus, and the Cinco Lagunas, one of its most beautiful landscapes.
Both start at the Gredos Platform, at an altitude of 1,780 meters. If you choose the first one, you should know that it has a limitation of 150 people a day, so it is advisable to get up early. It is 6.4 km one way, that is, about 5 or 6 hours of walking in total, round trip. The second route is more demanding: from 5 to 7 hours to reach the Cinco Lagunas, depending on the weather and the march.
In winter, the Sierra de Gredos is usually covered with a blanket of snow, which is why many are encouraged to explore it with snowshoes. From El Eje de la Tierra they organize guided tours.
If you are more extreme adventures, there is no way to enter the Five Snowy Lagoons doing mountaineering, trekking or skiing. You can do it with the expert mountaineers of Guía del Circo, a service of the Laguna Grande Refuge.
If in summer the river Tormes offers a refreshing bath to hikers, that possibility is now in the hands of Aguas de Gredos, a thermal water spa where you can enjoy all kinds of relaxing treatments.
In the surroundings you can stop at some of the charming medieval towns in the area, such as Arenas de San Pedro, in the Tiétar valley, or Hoyos del Espino. In Arenas de San Pedro the Cuevas de Ávila are famous, a cave discovered in 1963 with more than 12 million years old.
Where to eat and sleep
To eat the mountain range is famous for its mountain cuisine, but there are also good vegetarian and vegan options. Hostal Almanzor, an emblematic restaurant in the area, has options of both types. Its vegan cap in honor of the bee-eater is popular.
If you are into craft beer, don’t miss the one made in the area. Gredos beer. Contains no chemicals or added CO2 – just plain water from the mountains, malt, hops and yeast. Guided tours are made in the factory, on the outskirts of the Hoyocasero town, north of Gredos.
After a long day in nature you will need a break. How about the warmth of the firewood and surrounded by greenery? The Hotel Rural Lo Alto can be a great option: a farm of more than 20 thousand hectares with 10 wooden houses for 5 to 10 beds. And, if you want, Shama Retreats offers yoga retreats in the Sierra de Gredos. Classes are held on a beautiful plot surrounded by forests. Pure calm and peace!
