Cabo de Gata Trail
8 days, 7 nights. 6 days on horseback. Accommodation and full board included.
Riding along the coast
Cabo de Gata, where the sun spends the winter
An exciting circular trail through the extraordinary natural park of Cabo de Gata.
Over the course of 6 days, the ride will take you along the picturesque coastline, across beautiful beaches and into the fascinating inland valleys.
The scenery you will encounter is absolutely unique and surprising, offering extraordinary contrasts at every turn.
Furthermore, the region's excellent climate, characterised by low rainfall and mild temperatures, allows you to enjoy this experience from September to June.
Get ready to live an unforgettable adventure in a beautiful natural environment!
Ride length and pace
8 days, 7 nights, 6 days on horseback.
Walk, trots and canters where the terrain allows.
Time in saddle
Friday: 3-4h
Remaining days: 5-6h
Riding ability
Weight limit
90 kilos
198 pounds
This weight limit is strict!
Seasons
Group size /Guide's languages
From 2 to 6 people.
Spanish, English.
Lodging
Hotel Sotillo**** (or Doña Pakyta), in San José.
Hotel Oro y Luz***, in Rodalquilar.
Catering
Dinner on Tuesday (day 3) and lunch on Friday (day 6) in a restaurant. Breakfast and remaining dinners at hotels. Lunch picnics.
Accommodation in San José
During the low season at Hotel Sotillo (generally from November to March), or in the event of unavailability, guests will be accommodated at Hotel Pakyta, a 5 minute drive away. We will arrange morning and afternoon transfers between the stables and the hotel.
Included
6 days riding, 7 nights accommodation in double room, tourist taxes, all meals, luggage transfer, guide, water on the trail.
Dinner on arrival day, breakfast on departure day.
Not included
Double room supplement for single use, extra drinks, flights, transfers on arrival and on departure, health and accident insurance (compulsory).
As a general rule, if the usual hotels are not available, we will make sure that our guests are accommodated in establishments of a similar level of quality and comfort.
Highlights
An unforgettable experience
A unique ride that will allow you to discover the unspoilt landscapes of the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, with its extraordinary contrasts, people and culture.
Exclusive hotels, integrated into the park, surrounded by nature and next to the horses, just a few minutes from San José or Rodalquilar. Hotels include swimming pool and guarantee a restful and relaxing stay.
Quality restaurants serving traditional Andalusian cuisine with a contemporary twist.
Full picnic lunches catered by local restaurants, served in a picturesque spot just a few metres from the horses.
Long gallops along dirt paths and deserted beaches, which alternate with stretches of volcanic trails in Cabo de Gata.
Ideal riding weather from September to June. Click here to see average temperatures.
Itinerary
Day 4 - Wednesday
Rodalquilar: Cala del Cuervo, El Playazo & Torre de los Lobos Ride through the eastern part of Cabo de Gata. We head towards Cala del Cuervo, and after crossing a small palm oasis, we reach the famous beach of El Playazo, known since Roman times and once used as an entry point for pirates. Picnic at our Rodalquilar stables. Ascent to Torre de los Lobos, offering panoramic views of the Natural Park and, depending on the season, of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada peaks. Return to Rodalquilar via Cala Carnaje.
Picnic at our Rodalquilar stables. Dinner and overnight at Oro y Luz hotel.
Day 7 - Saturday
Rodalquilar – La Isleta del Moro – San José Back to San José, the Amethyst Viewpoint, Cala del Toro, La Isleta del Moro and the San Felipe Fort, with magnificent views and a small palm oasis. Picnic near Galera Beach. After lunch, enjoy a long canter and a spectacular coastal route along cliffs and historic watchtowers once used to to monitor the coast in case of pirate attacks.
Picnic near the Galera Beach. Dinner and overnight at Sotillo hotel (or Doña Pakyta), San José.
Day 2 - Monday
San José – Mónsul – San José The beaches of Indiana Jones. Assignment and preparation of the horses after breakfast, in our stables in San José (5 minutes walk from the Sotillo hotel, 5 minutes drive from Pakyta hotel). Brief explanation about equipment and safety. Start of the ride towards the beaches of Genoveses, Mónsul, Media Luna and Barronal - filming locations for Indiana Jones, Lawrence of Arabia and A Fistful of Dollars. These beaches offer the opportunity to gallop and feel that wonderful sense of freedom. After a picnic lunch, riders return to San José through the Tesorillo Valley.
Picnic at the cortijo El Romeral. Dinner and overnight at Sotillo Hotel (or Doña Pakyta Hotel), San José.
Day 5 - Thursday
Rodalquilar: The Mines Heading northwest, we follow the old gold-mine trail, crossing small ravines that once connected mountain farms with the sea. We ride through the crater that today forms the Rodalquilar valley, along mineral walls that still contain traces of gold. The route reaches the original mining facilities, which operated between 1933 and 1986. Visit of Cortijo del Fraile, the emblematic site where the events that inspired García Lorca’s Blood Wedding took place. Picnic at Cortijo Montano. Visit of the “Indiana Jones tunnel” and long canter back to the stables.
Picnic at Cortijo Montano. Dinner and overnight at Oro y Luz Hotel, Rodalquilar.
Day 3 - Tuesday
San José – Rodalquilar Today’s destination is Rodalquilar, to the north. We cross the Sierra de Gata and its lunar landscapes, dotted with ancient volcanic craters.
Picnic at the old Cortijo El Madroñal. Dinner in a local beachfront restaurant serving a special menu of fresh grilled fish. Overnight at Oro y Luz Hotel, Rodalquilar.
Day 6 - Friday
Rodalquilar: Las Negras From Rodalquilar we ride to Cerro Negro, in the bay of Las Negras: an impressive lava flow that bears witness to the volcanic past of Cabo de Gata. We cross small orchards irrigated by the freshwater streams of the Rambla de las Agüillas, forming ponds before reaching the sea. Arrival back in Rodalquilar at midday and transfer to Las Negras to enjoy a traditional paella in a beachfront restaurant. Return to the hotel on foot (hiking) or by Cabacci’s car. Free afternoon.
Lunch at beach restaurant. Dinner and overnight at Oro y Luz hotel, Rodalquilar.
Click here to see the average temperatures and rainfall in the Cabo de Gata.
Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of our guides due to weather and other influencing factors.
The Route in Maps
Mónsul · Monday’s route · 25 km
San José - Rodalquilar · Tuesday’s route · 25 km
Cala Carnaje · Wednesday’s route · 25 km
Las Minas · Thursday’s route · 25 km
Las Negras· Friday’s route · 25 km
Rodalquilar - San José · Saturday’s route · 25 km
The Complete Trail at a Glance
The Trail: Distance & Elevation.
Useful information
DAILY SCHEDULE
Breakfast: between 8:00 and 9:00 am, depending on the day. → Morning meeting time: 9:30 am, at the stables in San José or at the hotel reception in Tabernas. → Picnic lunches: approximately 1:00 to 3:00 pm, including rest time. → End of the day's ride: around 5:30 pm, depending on the pace and time of year → Dinner: between 8:00 and 9:00 pm, depending on the day.
WHERE ARE THE HORSES?
For the first two days, the horses are a 5-minute walk from El Sotillo Hotel or a 5-minute drive from Doña Pakyta Hotel (San José). In Tabernas, the horses are either next to the hotel or a 5-minute drive away, depending on the day. We arrange daily transfers to and from the horses whenever necessary.
DON’T FORGET TO BRING
✔︎ Riding helmet (we can lend you one). ✔︎ Riding boots suitable for walking on rocky terrain. ✔︎ Riding gloves and half chaps, if you usually wear them. We will provide saddlebags to carry: ✔︎ Sturdy water bottle. ✔︎ Sun protection (long sleeves recommended). ✔︎ Lip balm. ✔︎ Insect repellent and bite relief treatment. ✔︎ Swimsuit. ✔︎ Windbreaker. ✔︎ Personal medication (the only pharmacy is in San José, where you will stay for the first two days). We carry a basic first-aid kit.
PLEASE REMEMBER
→ Luggage: leave it at reception before 9:30 am on hotel change days. → Horses: you will be responsible for preparing and caring for your horse and its tack before and after each ride. → Special dietary requirements: please let us know in advance!