Sierra De Las Mamblas: Spain Walking Holiday

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 12 reviews.

Jim Root

WALKING THE SPANISH HEARTLAND

Written September 2012
This was a walking holiday where each days walk was very different
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Although initially the countryside looked very similar when cresting a ridge or exiting woodland the vista never ceased to amaze.
Getting close to numerous Griffin vultures
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob Mason was excellent, he had a wealth of local knowledge and knew all the local people (eg hotel owner, bodega owner).
Due to unseasonal weather Bob (with our consent) changed the itinerary, this did not have any negative impact and may have even enhanced the overall holiday.
He also arranged through his local contacts a visit to the local church/museum.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
No
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Holiday coincided with loocal fiesta which did affect our sleep in a hotel that had no soundproofing but our leader and the cameraderie of the group still made it a very enjoyable week
Carola Lurtz

WALKING THE SPANISH HEARTLAND

Written September 2012
It was a very relaxing holiday as the walks were quite leisurely. No huffing and puffing involved. We had plenty of opportunity to chat to each other. The hotel is very cosy and welcoming, the soundproofing, however, almost non-existent. Since we were the only ones staying there, it wasn't a problem as everybody got up and went to bed at more or less the same time. Earplugs still advisable, especially if you go in the last week of September when the local festival goes on for 5 consecutive nights.The food was very substantial and good, even the breakfast which I was particularly grateful for.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was very knowledgable and always in good spirits. I just wish I had gone in late spring when I could have made more use of his knowledge about flowers and plants, too.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The weather was unusually cold for the time of the year, so bring warm clothes and some gloves just in case.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The hotel has a lovely bar - drinks much cheaper than at home. Try some tinto de verano (red wine with ice and lemonade), maybe an unusual experience, but very nice.
Marian Rafferty

SIERRA DE LAS MAMBLAS

Written June 2012
This is a great trip - beautiful location with a variety of walks taking in some small villages on the way. The mountains are not very steep and the summits are inaccessible so its more of a moderate than a challenging grade. I found it a very relaxing trip with plenty of time in the evening to relax with a cold beer.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The evening visit to Vespers to hear the Benedictine Monks doing their Gregorian Chant.
Watching the vultures perched on the edges of the cliffs and gliding overhead.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was very helpful and knowledgable about the area.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It was very hot so be prepared for that - bring breathable socks or you could end up with a heat rash.
Virginia Rosenfeld

SIERRA DE LAS MAMBLAS

Written June 2012
An opportunity to stay in a mediaeval town which feels like 'real' Spain. Covarrubias is a delight and the hotel staff worked hard to make us comfortable. Nearly all meals are included in the cost of the holiday, with a choice of local wine so not many extras to be paid for when you get there. The walking is enjoyable and the extra activities enhance the holiday.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the vultures fly overhead. Burgos cathedral was beautiful.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was very efficient, able to plan to the minute how long we would be out. His attention to health & safety was at times a little over zealous for a group of walkers who had considerable experience of walking. The terrain was not difficult but the temperatures were hard to tolerate at times and he could have demonstrated more empathy for those used to the English climate. His knowledge of the flowers and the local area was good. He spoke to the Spanish staff and owners on our behalf and arranged the menu choices. He organised many extra activities on the day off (to Burgos and a tour of the town) and in the evenings (to vespers at Silos and a local wine producer) and accompanied us at all times. This may not suit travellers who like a little more independence.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The walking is mostly on tracks and roads so can be hard on the feet and the week we went it was very hot. Bob was reluctant to alter the route or timings to avoid the worst of the heat so take a hat and be prepared to carry lots of water!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a good opportunity to practise your Spanish! Take a phrase book to help you talk with the very friendly locals!
Anne-Marie Mills

Take a second look at SIERRA DE LAS MAMBLAS

Written May 2012
Interesting scenery sprinkled with a few really, truely spectacular vistas. Dry, Mediterranean forests and farmland, a little bit of fauna and tonnes of fantastic flora in all its flowery and scented glory in Spring. The remains of plenty of interesting ancient and modern history was seen and discussed. Authentic villages, both rundown and renovated, without the fake touristy smiles. I'm even considering doing this trip a second time.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
On (I think) the second day we lunched in the shade of a large rock at the top of a ridge and I looked out on the opposite ridge line, with other ridgelines in the distance (I guess that's the "sierra" bit of the region), and I also saw the broad strip of patchwork farmland in the lower part of the valleys, and saw a sheppard with his/her flock. I loved seeing the overall pattern of the natural and human landscape. I saw it several times over the week, and from more spectacular viewing points, but that first time impressed me the most.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob knows the area well, has obviously done his research well and has walked every trail and path in the region. He was always able to explain where we were in relation to Covarrubias (home) and other sites we had visit or were yet to visit. He also pointed out opportunities for short cuts home, so it was good to know that there was a lot of flexibility in our route (if say, a massive storm came through). He also has a very good approach to briefing: we were absolutely clear about what was coming up for the day (unlike other wonderful, charming, and more charismatic leaders I've had with Exodus in the past who kept describing the day's landscape as "undulating" regardless of whether that was flat-undulating or mountainous-undulating, hehehe). I think Bob's approach is ideal for people who prefer the security of knowing exactly what's coming up in terms of physical effort or the most minor of expenses. Despite that, he also kept a couple of nifty "surprises" up his sleeve, which were fun too. What Bob lacks in charisma, he more than makes up for in knowledge and anticipation of the group's needs.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Water: The tap water at the hotel is drinkable so don't waste your luggage space with water purifiers.
Laundry: I couldn't see any laundry facilities available at all, so several of us did hand washing, but we were asked not to hang stuff on our balconies outside during the day.
Paths: While the paths are mostly perfectly OK, there are a few paths on a slope with a bit of loose stone, so walking sticks are a plus if your legs are a bit wobbly. Additionally, on the routes Bob took on my week, there were two very steep, and potentially slippery bits of path. They needed all my attention for about 10 minutes each. Bob did warn us ahead of time that they were coming up, so it was possible to avoid them (and on one occasion, one person did take the shortcut home). Nonetheless, 99% of the walking was quite easy to moderate and at no point were we ever rushed. The pace was quite leisurely with plenty of breaks, which meant that the group pretty much stayed fairly close together; never more than a few hundred metres between first and last person. Nonetheless, that distance also provided enough space to get a bit of privacy in discussions too, if it was wanted.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
If you can possibly swing it, I'd strongly recommend going in May: the flowers and scented herbage are at exactly the right growth stage, the weather is warm enough but also cool enough for exertion
Just for the record, on my trip, everyone in the group was really lovely and some were quite funny, and most were very interesting. I'm over 45 and was one of the youngest in the group. No one was a fuddy duddy (not at all!) but I guess that the nature of the trip attracts people like us. I suspect that a very modern-type of person in the 18-30 age group might find a group like mine a little boring, socially. I think the social side of these walking holidays is easily 50% of the fun (otherwise you'd do a self-guided trip, right?) so that might be a factor to take into account in selecting the trip.
Lindsey Sellors

SIERRA DE LAS MAMBLAS

Written October 2011
Comfortable walking in rural Spain from a base in a small village. Great views, good food and friendly locals. Best of all not a fast food resturant in sight. This is Real Spain.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking along a ridge at eye level with a flying Vulture.
Sitting on the ridge with the wind in my hair after a warm climb to the top.
Listening to the Monks sing.
Sunrise on the last morning.
Eating home made tapas in the sun.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was great, really knows the area well and nothing is too much trouble for him.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Learn a few Spainish phases before you go as this is not an area where you meet many English speakers.
Limber up your knees before you go as a few of the descents were over loose stones.
Bone up on a little Spanish history it will help understand the area.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is not an area of dramatic scenery but the gentle rolling hills give wonderful walking. You will emerse your self in Spanish culture and learn there is more than straw donkey's and sangria to Spain.
Debbie Taylor

SIERRA DE LAS MAMBLAS

Written June 2011
This really was a great holiday. Everything just worked out well and I came home feeling refreshed and relaxed. The week was everything I was looking for - great walks and Spanish culture mixed together in just the right amount. I was also lucky to meet a great group of people who helped make the holiday more enjoyable.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
It's difficult to pinpoint one moment, there were many good ones. Was it the unexpected sighting of the fox as is trotted accross the field of poppies? Or the wonderful 360 degree view from the top of the mountain as we ate our locally bought picnic on the last day? Or maybe the ethereal sound of the monks singing vespers in Silos cathedral? It could just have been the taste of a well deserved cold beer drunk in the peaceful square outside the hotel watching the Storks nesting on the church roof. No, too many to choose from I'm afraid.
What did you think of your group leader?
Bob was great fun and his enthusiasm was infectious. He went out of his way to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves and his experience and local knowledge really added to the whole experience.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a small set of binoculars for spotting the wildlife and maybe a small bird/butterfly book. Insect repellent is very useful, the midges weren't biting but when it got hot there were quite a lot of them. Don't miss the town tour of Covvarubias it's full of surprises.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The website doesn't really do this holiday justice. This area of Spain is often quite ignored and that's a shame because it really is quite lovely. I wondered if being centre based would mean the walks were quite similiar but everyday was different and interesting. Covvarubias is a charming town with interesting history and well worth the visit, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful. If you like Spain and want to find out more then this holiday is for you. Despite the fact that we walked approx 10 -12 miles a day it really didn't feel like it because it was fun and interesting. Go and see for yourself!