Dalmatian Mountains Ride

8 Days | From £1090pp

Croatia ( Best airport: Split)

Explore a hidden side of Croatia on this week-long break in the Dalmatian mountains. You’ll be riding in an area of Croatia rarely visited by tourists where you can enjoy delicious homemade food and wine and explore Croatia’s natural wonders on horseback. The trail takes you on winding, ancient roads through the mountains and across wide valleys; this is ideal horse-riding country. This is a faster than average trail with long canters and fast gallops to enjoy.

The Riding

The horses at the ranch are specially trained for the trails and are well used to the terrain. There are 10 horses available, aged between 6-12 years. With a maximum of six riders at any time, there are always spare horses available if you want to swap. The sizes of the horses range from 14.1hh to 16.3hh and English tack is used. Breeds are Lipizzaner, English Thoroughbred and Croatian warm-blood. They are calm, willing and reliable as well as fit and forward-going.

Explore a hidden side of Croatia on this week-long break in the Dalmatian mountains. You’ll be riding in an area of Croatia rarely visited by tourists where you can enjoy delicious homemade food and wine, explore sleepy villages and natural wonders on horseback. The riding on this holiday is reasonably fast-paced. Expect lots of cantering through flower-filled fields and a few gallops on the hills where the terrain allows.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This trail is suitable for intermediate and advanced riders only. Riders must be able to tack up their horses and mount and dismount from the ground unaided. All participants must be competent, confident and in control at all paces over hilly terrain. A good level of current riding fitness is required as you’ll be spending 4-6 hours in the saddle each day.

Guides and Group Size

Your host, Stipe, is a young man who gained experience at another Croatian riding stables before setting up on his own to offer an affordable but fun stationary programme with comfortable accommodation on his family ranch. The group size is between 2-6.

Any questions?

The Horses

Tack and Riding Equipment

Tack is a mixture of endurance and English saddles ideally suited for trail riding. Saddlebags are fitted for each horse to carry items such as water bottles, sun cream and a camera.

Accommodation and Dining

You’ll be staying with the owner and his family at their ranch in comfortable double or twin rooms. There are four guest rooms on the ranch, each with an en suite shower room, with access to WiFi and a swimming pool in the summer months.

The meals at this destination are really special, all are homemade (including the wine!) and you can sample traditional Dalmatian cuisine with much of the produce such as fruits and vegetables homegrown at the ranch. You are welcome to join your host’s mother in the kitchen for an impromptu cooking demonstration to see how some Dalmatian specialties are prepared.

Breakfast at the ranch includes fresh bread, cheese, jam, eggs and seasonal fruit. Lunch is usually eaten as a picnic at a picturesque spot on the trail and can include sandwiches, quiches, cold meats, fruit and bread. In case of poor weather, you will then return to the ranch for lunch which could be a Dalmatian dish (based on fish or meat, greens, olive oil, and seasonings). Dinner is eaten back at the ranch and is another authentic home-cooked meal freshly prepared by the family. A drink is included with each meal (juice, wine, beer, tea, coffee, milk or water).

Allergies and special dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Transfer from Split airport or bus station after 3pm to the ranch. Relax with an aperitif and get to know your friendly host and other guests. Watch the sunset while you experience traditional Dalmatian cuisine, all washed down with homemade wine.

Day 2 After breakfast, meet the horses and head out on ride for 4 hours to take a look at the countryside and get to know your horse. This is an area not widely visited by tourists and you'll be able to canter and gallop through the deserted fields. You'll return to the ranch for lunch and a siesta. In the evening you can expect a delicious dinner.

Days 3 After breakfast you'll ride to Svilaja Mountain where you will gallop across the fields and go through Dalmatian villages of Ogorje, Leskuri and Milesina. After passing through the villages you will continue on ancient Roman roads to the mountain where you can relax over a delicious lunch served outside. After a well-deserved break you will continue to ride over the mountain to the village Milesina. Then you will ride through the village Bracevic to the ranch. In total, you will spend around 5 hours in saddle. Back at the ranch, you will enjoy dinner with the other guests and your hosts.

Day 4 In the morning after breakfast you will get ready for yet another trail. In total, there will be a total of around 6 hours in saddle. The day begins with a riding through the fields and natural paths towards the mountain house called Orlove Stine. The lunch will be served at the mountain house, where you will enjoy the view of the Perucko lake, Cetina river and other mountains. Panoramic view is truly breathtaking. After the break you will get the horse ready and continue down the mountain to the ranch where you will be served dinner.

Day 5 No riding. If you are interested in visiting Split, there is a local bus that passes by the ranch and goes to the city. If not, you can always stay at the ranch and enjoy your free time in the nature or at the pool, if the weather allows it.

Day 6 After breakfast you will get ready for the trail. Riding up the hill Zelovo lasts just over 2 hours. After a short break you will continue to ride for about 2 to 3 hours through other villages where you will have an amazing view of the fields, forests and nearby mountains. You will return to the ranch for lunch and drinks with your hosts. The afternoon is free for a well-deserved rest.

Day 7 After breakfast we will have you riding at the foot of mountain Moseć. You will be riding for around 4 hours, through beautiful fields, pastures, streams, and gravel roads. After returning to the ranch you will have lunch and a break. In the afternoon, there is another 1,5-2 hour ride through the paths surrounding the ranch. After, you can rest, have a delicious dinner and conversation, remembering good experiences during the trail.

Day 8 Departure is scheduled after breakfast, around 10:00.