Horse Riding Holidays in Bulgaria
Off the beaten path Europe is hard to find these days but Bulgaria is one of the best kept secrets for horse riding holidays. Offering travellers wonderfully well-preserved culture, full of ancient ruins and medieval churches, beautiful backcountry and vast, open spaces perfectly suited to exploring on horseback. Hearty local cuisine, a distinguished regional wine culture, and a plethora of traditional spas complete this budget-friendly destination. Bulgarian horse riding holidays are usually fast-paced reflecting the excellent horsemanship observed in this part of the world.
High Mountain Trail
Ride high above the valleys of southern Bulgaria, along ancient Roman roads and across wide-open alpine meadows. This is a true high-mountain adventure in the magnificent Rhodope Mountains – designed for experienced riders, this trail takes you through dense forests interspersed by winding rivers and many caves. Over five riding days you’ll cover 115 km and climb to 1,900 metres taking in lush meadows and steep canyons.
Wellness Retreat
Escape the winter and immerse yourself in the healing waters of one of Europe’s premier equestrian and spa destinations. The boutique Trakiec Complex is truly one of a kind – not only in Bulgaria, but across Europe combining first-class equestrian facilities and a spa hotel. This unique retreat brings together small groups of riders (the maximum group size is 4) for exciting riding with lots of canter and a world-class spa based next to the Tikla River. Guests can unwind in jacuzzis, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas and steam baths, enjoy professional massages, or relax in beautifully designed wellness areas.
The equestrian centre was created with the idea of offering excellent facilities for both amateurs and equestrian sports professionals alike. It was built in 2012 on over 150 acres of pastures, paddocks and meadows. The spacious yard has state-of-the-art stables so the horses also get to enjoy a touch of luxury as well as several riding arenas.
Rhodope Mountains Trail
The Rhodope is a mountain range with crystal clean air, untouched areas of beauty, and incredible natural phenomenons formed thousands of years ago.
Famous for their magical villages and diverse and unspoiled nature, the Rhodope Mountains offer sceenry rarely encountered in Europe and the wildness of the region and lack of fences make it the perfect place for horse-riding.
Land of the Thracians
This fun ride is run by experienced tour guide and vet Bogdan Syarov. The Thracian Valley is an ideal location for riding with smooth, picturesque terrain of rose and lavender fields which allow for a faster pace. The trail combines plenty of canters and amazing scenery with ancient Thracian and Roman ruins along the way, delicious wines and spa opportunities thanks to the healing mineral springs. Accommodation is comfortable and you will often have access to a swimming pool, sauna or spa at your hotels.
Fascinating history and spa opportunities
Riding itineraries in Bulgaria give plenty of time to visit historical sites and learn more about this country’s fascinating history. Our itinerary includes a visit to the Starosel Temple, the biggest underground temple in the Balkan peninsula, dating back to the 4th century BC. For those less historically-minded there are many opportunities to recuperate from horse riding at the spa hotels you’ll stay in which usually include saunas and pools as standard. Riders on one of our horse riding holidays in Bulgaria are guaranteed spectacular panoramic views almost every day of the trail thanks to Bulgaria’s unique position across several mountain ranges.
Exhilarating riding
Horse riding holidays in Bulgaria offer real value for money alongside thrilling riding and give you an opportunity to get to know the true, rural Bulgarian lifestyle. Those who are used to riding in the UK will be pleasantly surprised by the lack of fences, gates or boundaries present in the wooded valleys and open plains of Bulgaria. You should be a strong, confident rider as there will be some exhilarating canters in wide open spaces.