Segovia’s Hidden Gems
Spain Hiking + Walking Tours
Segovia, Guadarrama National Park & the Duratón Canyon
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€801 Rates
Overview
This self-guided walking tour in and through Segovia in central Spain allows you to deeply explore this amazing region and the city. As you trek the foothills of the Guadarrama National Park and Duratón Canyon, you will come to understand why this region is called a hidden gem.
The walks are gentle, but the experience is monumental. Immerse yourself in Castilian culture as you stroll through centuries-old ochre-colored villages anchored in an age-old past.
Highlights
- Segovia, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Delightful walks through the beautiful countryside
- Guadarrama National Park, home of the Iberian wolf, native wild boar, deer, and birdlife
- Stunning traditional villages
- Impressive canyon of the Duratón River
- Nature reserve area for wildlife
- Overnights in the historic towns: San Ildefonso & Sepulveda
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Segovia
Day 2: City tour in Segovia
Day 3: San Ildefonso - Valsain - San Ildefonso, 6 - 11 mi. (10 - 17 km)
Day 4: Circular walk to “El Chorro” Waterfall, 7 mi. (11 km)
Day 5: Pedraza - a walk along the foothills, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 6: Sepulveda, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 7: Circular walk in the Duraton Canyon, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 8: Departure or extra nightsDay 1: Arrival to Segovia
Individual arrival into Segovia. Check-in to your accommodations at a small city hotel in the heart of town, where your tour info will be ready.Sample Accommodation: Hotel Infanta Isabel, Hotel Casa Mudéjar, Monasterio De San Antonio El Real (Segovia)
Day 2: City Tour of Segovia
Your walking experience starts with a full day to discover the beautifull-preserved town of Segovia. Located northwest of Madrid in central Spain's Castile and León region, this UNESCO World Heritage Site city has a rich architectural legacy, including medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace, and a Gothic cathedral. The most famous is the iconic ancient Roman aqueduct that looms above the Plaza Azoguejo. With more than 160 arches (most in the original mortarless granite), this structure was built in the 1st century A.D. The Aqueduct of Segovia functioned for many centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire and served the communities of Segovia into modern times.Sample Accommodation: Hotel Roma La Granja (La Granja de San Ildefonso)
Day 3: San Ildefonso - Valsain - San Ildefonso, 6 - 11 mi. (10 - 17 km) | Elevation gain: 390 m
You will be provided with a short transfer to the historic town of San Ildefonso, nestled at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama Mountains. From here, you'll begin a riverside circular walk along the Eresma River to the mountain village of Valsain within the river valley and nestled in a thick pine forest. You are now deep in Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and life is simple here. You will overnight in San Ildefonso, a small historical site and a testament to the glory of the Spanish Monarchy in the 18th century. Wander the cobble-stone streets and visit the resplendent Royal Palace nestled at the foot of the highest peak (2428 m.) in the park, Peñalara.Sample Accommodation: Hotel Roma La Granja (La Granja de San Ildefonso)
Day 4: Circular walk to “El Chorro” waterfall, 7 mi. (11 km) | Elevation gain: 464 m
Though short, your walk today is stunning, along the forest footpaths to the El Chorro Waterfalls and then on to the Silla del Rey viewpoint, combined with a visit to the famous Palace and Gardens of San Ildefonso.Sample Accommodation: Hostería el Arco (Pedraza)
Day 5: Pedraza - Gallegos, a walk along the foothills, 10 mi. (16 km) | Elevation gain: 420 m
This day's route will take you on a circular hike through old drover's paths, winding among fragrant juniper and oak woods. Along the way, enjoy fantastic views of the charming medieval village of Pedraza, perched on limestone cliffs with its honey-colored charm.Sample Accommodation: Posada San Millan, Hotel Los Templarios (Sepúlveda)
Day 6: Castilnovo - Sepulveda, 10 mi. (16 km) | Elevation gain: 420 m
Transfer to Castilnovo and from here, you begin your walk to Sepulveda. The landscape changes to cultivated fields of sunflowers and vast open landscapes until you reach the beautiful hilltop town. Sepulveda has been included on the association list of Los Pueblos mas Bonitos de España (the most beautiful villages is Spain). The town is located on the edge of the Hoces del Rio Duratón National Park and enjoys impressive views over the local sierra. Discover the timeless beauty of the hanging houses of Sepulveda and the abundance of Romanesque monuments and elegant 11th century nobel houses. It is also renowned for its gastronomy, with local restaurants specializing in roast lamb and suckling pig.Sample Accommodation: Posada de San Millan or Hosteria Los Templarios (Sepúlveda)
Day 7: Sepulveda - Duratón Canyon - Sepulveda, 10 mi. (16 km) | Elevation: 367 m
Your last walk is along the riverside in the Duratón Canyon Natural Park. You will see birds of prey circling above you, nesting on the limestone cliffs either side of the river. A special permit will give you privileged access to this protected area.Sample Accommodation: Hotel Infanta Isabel, Hotel Casa Mudéjar, Monasterio De San Antonio El Real (Segovia)
Day 8: Departure or extra nights
Departure or extra nights in Segovia or Madrid.Looking for something other than a hiking tour? View all our featured tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Map
Accommodation
You will spend two nights in a small city hotel in the heart of Segovia, two nights in a family-run hotel in the center of the historic town of La Granja, one night in a charming rural hotel in Predraza, and the last two nights in a beautifully renovated historic building dating back to the 12th century in Sepulveda.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights in charming small, rural hotels
- Breakfasts
- Dinner on day 5
- Luggage transfers between hotels
- Private transfers on days 3, 5, and 6
- Entrance to Duratón Natural Park
- Detailed maps and roadbook
- GPS tracks on request
- Emergency support
What’s Not Included
- Lunches and dinners not mentioned in itinerary
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals possible from April 1 to October 31, 2024
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Twin/double: $ 1354 £ 688 $ 1,241 € 801 Ft 334864 kr 122120 ₪ 3334 ¥ 135958 Mex$ 18021 NZ$ 1490 kr 9829 zł 3577 S$ 1178 kr 9418 CHF 768 $ 888 Single room supplement (when traveling with min. 2 people): $ 435 £ 221 $ 398 € 257 Ft 107441 kr 39182 ₪ 1070 ¥ 43622 Mex$ 5782 NZ$ 478 kr 3154 zł 1148 S$ 378 kr 3022 CHF 246 $ 285 Solo traveler supplement (when traveling alone, in addition to single supplement): $ 651 £ 331 $ 596 € 385 Ft 160952 kr 58697 ₪ 1602 ¥ 65348 Mex$ 8662 NZ$ 716 kr 4724 zł 1719 S$ 566 kr 4527 CHF 369 $ 427
Extra Options
Transfers
Sepulveda to Segovia $ 137 £ 70 $ 125 € 81 Ft 33863 kr 12349 ₪ 337 ¥ 13749 Mex$ 1822 NZ$ 151 kr 994 zł 362 S$ 119 kr 952 CHF 78 $ 90 Sepulveda to Madrid $ 281 £ 143 $ 257 € 166 Ft 69397 kr 25308 ₪ 691 ¥ 28176 Mex$ 3735 NZ$ 309 kr 2037 zł 741 S$ 244 kr 1952 CHF 159 $ 184 Madrid to Sevogia $ 281 £ 143 $ 257 € 166 Ft 69397 kr 25308 ₪ 691 ¥ 28176 Mex$ 3735 NZ$ 309 kr 2037 zł 741 S$ 244 kr 1952 CHF 159 $ 184
Extra nights
Segovia On request Madrid On request An extra fee may be applicable when booking dates associated with bank holidays, local holidays, or other events. In the event of any changes to your plans, kindly be aware that a €50- €100 booking modification fee will apply. If you wish to cancel, please refer to our cancellation policy.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This self-guided hiking holiday is rated as easy to moderate. You will walk a predominantly flat route with a few small ascents each day, utilizing good footpaths. Daily distance is approximately 15 km and generally requires no more than 4 hours of walking each day. Since this is a self-guided tour, you can go at your own pace. Stop when you want, go faster or slower, you are in control! On the daily itinerary below, you will find the elevation gain listed for each day.
Airport Info
Fly to Madrid Airport (MAD) also known as Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. This is the main international airport serving Madrid in Spain.
Local Travel
Take the C-1 RENFE train from Terminal 4 at Madrid airport to the Chamartin station. From here you can access the high-speed AVE train to arrive in Segovia in 30 minutes. The ticket will cost about €12. Once you arrive in Segovia, we suggest that you take a taxi to your first hotel. To return to Madrid, you can book a one hour transfer from Sepulveda to Segovia (see pricing) and catch the AVE high-speed train back into Madrid.
Climate
The climate here in central Spain is mild, and generally warm and temperate. Do check local conditions before your arrival.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
Extra nights are possible before or after your tour in Segovia or Madrid.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Senderos y Pueblos.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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