Dalmatian Mountains Ride

8 Days | From £960pp

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, explore sleepy villages and natural wonders on horseback. The trail takes you on winding, ancient Roman roads and cattle paths through gentle slopes and wide valleys; this is ideal horse-riding country. There are plenty of opportunities for long canters through flower meadows and over the six days you’ll experience Croatian hospitality first-hand staying at your hosts’ welcoming and friendly family ranch.

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 extremely calm, willing and reliable but fit and forward-going.

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

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 but fit and forward-going.

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 basic but 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.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Transfer from Split airport or bus station to your base for the week. A traditional Croatian ranch set in quintessential Dalmatian countryside. 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 a short ride for 2-3 hours to take a look at the pristine countryside and get to know your horse. This is an area not widely visited by tourists and you'll be able to put your horse through his paces with some gallops through the deserted fields. You'll return to the ranch for lunch followed by a siesta before riding for another 2-3 hours in the afternoon. In the evening you can expect a delicious dinner.

Days 3 After breakfast you will get ready for the trail and will groom and saddle your horse before riding. Riding up Zelovo hill takes just over two hours and you'll be rewarded at the summit with a picnic lunch and time to rest. You'll spend the afternoon riding through sleepy Dalmatian villages overlooking panoramic views of the fields, forests and nearby mountains. After the days riding you will return to the ranch for dinner and drinks with your hosts.

Day 4 After breakfast you will continue to ride to the Svilaja Mountain where you will gallop across the field and go through Dalmatian villages of Ogorje, Leskur and Milesina. After passing through the village you will continue on ancient Roman roads to the mountain where you can relax over lunch. After a well-deserved break will continue to ride over the mountains to the village Buzov. Then you will ride through the village Pribude to the ranch where you will enjoy a delicious dinner with the other guests and their hosts.

Day 5 After breakfast you will ride through the fields at the foot of the mountain Svilaja the old villages Crivac and Čavoglave. You will ride the ancient Roman roads where you can trot, canter and gallop. In the village of Marinići you will pass old wells with clear cool waters and have lunch. After lunch, you can explore the hill above the village which is famous for its caves and underground waters. Later that afternoon riding continues to the field where you will trot and gallop. You will continue over Crivac fields and then return to the ranch through the glades and forest roads.

Day 6 The day begins with a gentle trot, riding through the open fields towards the top of Mount Svilaja. Half way through you stop for a delicious picnic lunch and a beverage (1300m above sea level). You will then continue to the summit of Mount Svilaja where you can enjoy the view of the Perucko, the lake Cetina river, Adriatic sea and nearby islands. The panoramic view from the top of the mountain is really breathtaking. After the break, continue your descent of the mountain until reaching the ranch.

Day 7 After breakfast saddle up for the final day's riding adventure; climbing Mount Moseć on horseback. You will ride through lush fields and pastures at the foot of mountains and cross freshwater streams, before stopping for a picnic lunch. After lunch you will ride through the mountain canyon. Later this afternoon you will return to the ranch for a well-deserved rest and have a delicious final dinner with your fellow riders and hosts.

Day 8 Departure is scheduled after breakfast.