The Dartmoor Crossing

8 Days | From £2140pp

England ( Best airport: Exeter)

A progressive ride around Dartmoor staying at different B&B’s and hotels each night. A unique riding adventure, you’ll enjoy fabulous horse riding across the Dartmoor landscape on high quality, forward going Quarter horses. You’ll be guided through incredible scenery, past prehistoric settlements, neolithic stone circles, ancient tin mines and beautiful forestry, this trail is a real showcase of Dartmoor’s natural beauty.

The Riding

The terrain involves crossing streams, shallow rivers, undulating ground and up and down steep inclines and would not be suitable for novice or inexperienced riders.

Each day you’ll explore awe-inspiring granite tors, wild valleys and untamed rivers, if you’re lucky you may even spot the occasional herd of wild ponies and their playful foals. This trail involves riding well off the beaten track where there are no roads or fences to slow you down.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This is a progressive trail ride for intermediate riders onwards. You should be confident riding at a walk, trot and canter in open countryside. Riders should be relaxed in the saddle and ride with soft hands. Riders do need to be reasonably fit as there is between 4-6 hours in the saddle each riding day. Hard hats and boots with a heel are compulsory at this destination.

Age range is 18 to 65, experienced 14 – 17 year olds are accepted if accompanied by a riding parent/guardian. Upper age limit is discretionary depending on rider fitness and experience. The maximum weight is 15 Stone (95kg).

Guides and Group Size

Your guides, Phil and Mandy, are experienced local farmers with a herd of around fifteen horses to offer guests. This destination specialises in a personal, laid back trail experience.

Maximum number of riders in a group is 8.

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The Horses

There is a selection of fantastic Quarter Horses at this ranch. Known for their calm attitude and appetite for work, all are western trained, very sure footed, a pleasure to ride and cross the terrain with ease. Heights range from 14:3 to 16:2hh. Your hosts for this ride often start and back their own horses to suit the type of work, all must be sensible with good manners. In total there are 15 horses.

Tack and Riding Equipment

The tack is all Western, you’ll also be provided with saddle bags for carrying daily essentials. In total you will cover around 130kms on this trail.

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation is provided at different B&B’s and hotels each night. These range from a beautifully traditional 16th century Devonshire pub with rooms to a welcoming bolthole perched on the banks of the West Dart River, with beautiful countryside in every direction. Rooms are twin or double with en suite (single rooms available for a supplement). All rooms include towels and Wifi.

Breakfasts are usually buffet style offering a choice of a more continental breakfast such as pastries, cereal, yogurt, fruit or a traditional full English; bacon, eggs, beans toast etc. Lunch is a picnic eaten at a picturesque spot on the trail that includes sandwiches, crisps, fruit and a biscuit. Dinner is not included but can be provided by the accommodation you stay at (usually modern British cuisine such as fish and chips, burgers, pies) or at other local eateries which your host will be happy to recommend to you. Vegetarian or other dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in the afternoon at Exeter airport, bus or train station where you host Phil will be waiting for you. Transfer to your hotel (a 45 min drive) and check in. At the hotel you can discuss the week ahead with your hosts and make arrangements for dinner that evening. The hotel has its own restaurant serving traditional british food or there are other restaurants within walking distance.

Day 2 You will be collected by your host Phil and taken to his farm a few miles away where you will meet the horses. Saddle up and get to know your horse on a trail ride of around 4 hours through the moor on open land. Stop for a picnic lunch en route before circling back towards the farm to enjoy warm scones and a cup of tea. You’ll then be transferred back to your hotel for the evening. Dinner at the hotel or a local restaurant (not included).

Day 3 Today will be a faster ride than the day before and there will be some good opportunities for some long canters. You’ll begin the day's trail at Meldon Farm and ride for approximately 4-5 hours (stopping for a picnic lunch) to reach the small village of Two Bridges perched on the banks of the West Dart river.

Day 4 Today’s destination is Widecombe located around 25km away. You’ll be riding around 3-4 hours east across Dartmoor through lush fields before reaching the quaint and charming town of Widecombe. Your accommodation for the evening is at a farm B&B close to the town.

Day 5 Today you'll head off on a circular trail ride from Drywell Farm of 4-5 hrs, overnight at Drywell again.

Day 6 Back in the saddle today for 4 hours riding over Hameldown Hill for some spectacular views before staying overnight at a hotel in Chagford.

Day 7 Today's ride will see you travel back to the starting point of the trail, a distance of around 25km. This will be your final day of riding through the dramatic scenery of Dartmoor. Once you arrive back at Meldon Farm it’s time to say goodbye to the horses and enjoy tea and scones before transferring back to your hotel for a final dinner.

Day 8 Depart after breakfast