Wild Horses Trail

8 Days | From £1375pp

Portugal ( Best airport: Porto)

Discover Portugal’s wild side on this trail through the Peneda Geres national park where you can spot eagles, deer and even wolves. Look out for one of the last species of wild horses in Europe: the Garranos, who roam these remote mountains in herds. This northernmost area of Portugal is peppered with hidden valleys, hilltop villages and prehistoric rock art, while tangled woods envelop ancient castles and forts.

The Riding

You’ll ride through ancient forests, crossing desert-like plateaus on top of mountains, and passing rivers, waterfalls, lakes and huge boulders in amazing formations.

There are many uphill climbs leading to wonderful views and the scenery is dominated by granite rocky mountains, dense oak forests, narrow valleys, rivers and groves of birch.

There are plenty of canter opportunities and it is also possible to gallop for some sections of the ride, although this depends on the level of the group.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This trail is suitable for strong intermediate and experienced riders only. Riders must be able to mount and dismount from the ground unaided. All participants must be competent, confident and in control at all paces over rough terrain and on a forward going horse. Good level of current riding fitness is required as you’ll be spending 5-6 hours in the saddle each day. You should be comfortable in all paces including gallop and you should also be happy to complete river crossings on horseback. The weight limit is 90kg.

Guides and Group Size

Carlos and Luis are the friendly guides that accompany this trail. Both are Portugese natives with a deep knowledge of the region and speak English, Spanish and Portugese.

Group size 2-8

Any questions?

The Horses

The horses are mainly Hispano-Arab cross breeds and Lusitano horses. There are also some Arab and thoroughbred crosses. All the horses are ideally suited to the trail and terrain and are known as being brave and calm. There are strong, lively and fast horses for the more experienced rider.

English saddles are used and most of the time the horses are ridden with long reins, leading to a relaxed and comfortable horse during the trail.

Wild Horses Trail - Horse Riding Holidays Portugal

Accommodation and Dining

Your first accommodation is in a large traditional manor house, built in the 18th century and just outside the charming village of Arcos de Valdevez, built on the banks of the river Vez. There are seven bedrooms equipped with private bathrooms, TV and radio. The accommodation also has an outdoor swimming pool for relaxing after rides. The second accommodation on the trail is also a traditional manor house, all rooms have private bathrooms and there is a swimming pool and barbecue area. Towels are provided.
Breakfast is served at your accommodation each morning. This is typical Portugese fare and includes bread, sliced cheese, sliced ham, bread, jam, and a milky coffee. Lunch is sometimes a picnic on the trail or eaten at a local tavern or restaurant. Evening meals are mainly eaten in local restaurants. Typical dinners include a starter, one or two courses and a dessert. Tea, coffee and mineral water are included and local wine is provided with dinner.

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

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Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Porto Airport and transfer by car to Arcos de Valdevez (around a one hour drive). Check in to your accommodation and then take a tour of the stables and meet the horses. Horses and riders will be paired up before enjoying a Portugese dinner with your hosts and fellow riders.

Day 2 The day starts early and breakfast is served at 8am, before saddling up and leaving the stables by 10am. The trail begins above the medieval town of Arcos de Valdevez, and continues towards the Peneda Geres National Park, a mountainous region where wild horses still roam freely. Lunch will be served at a local mountain tavern, before continuing along the trail. As well as being an area of natural beauty the park has compelling remains of human occupation: an ancient Roman road winds through the region, marked with 2,000-year-old milestones. The horses will be left in a field within the park and you will transfer back to your accommodation. Dinner is at a typical Portuguese Restaurant in Arcos de Valdevez town.

Days 3 Breakfast is served at 8am, followed by a transfer to the horses. Once horses are prepared, depart into the woods of the national park, going uphill to plains of old pasture fields; home of the wild horses and much of the wildlife of the National Park. You’ll pass through mountain villages, climbing to an altitude of 1000 metres. Lunch is a picnic served by a mountain lake before descending to the village of Ferreiros, where you’ll leave the horses and transfer back to your accommodation. Dinner in a local Portuguese restaurant.

Day 4 After breakfast, transfer to Ferreiros where the horses are and prepare for today's trail. You’ll ride through the valley, passing farming fields and forests of oak trees before reaching the shores of the river Vez. You’ll follow the river all the back to Arcos, lunch is a picnic by the riverside, depending on the river level, you’ll either cross the river on horseback or take a detour to cross at the nearest bridge. Arriving back in Arcos de Valdevez, you can ride through the old town on the 17th century roads admiring the architecture before reaching the stables and your accommodation.

Day 5 After breakfast, set out in the direction of the woods, a protected landscape of Corno de Bico, these trails are full of forest wildlife, you’re likely to spot wild horses, mountain cows, foxes, wild boars, deers & even wolves if you’re lucky. Lunch is in a local tavern in the heart of a small and beautiful village with only 6 houses and 16 inhabitants. Afterwards you’ll continue riding uphill to a place where on a clear day the Atlantic coast is visible. Descending through the forest scenery, you’ll pass through old villages before leaving the horses in the fields of an ancient manor house where you will also be staying overnight. Dinner is in the local town of Paredes de Coura, where you can taste the famous river Coura trout, before returning to the manor house to rest.

Day 6 For those riders that wish to take a break from riding, today can be spent exploring the local scenery on foot or just relaxing at the accommodation. Alternatively you can saddle up and head out on the trail in search of the wild horses that live here. Lunch is a picnic carried in the saddlebags and the route is mainly through lush, green forests. In the evening, head back to the manor house, where the owners will provide a traditional Portuguese homemade dinner, and will also join us during the meal.

Day 7 After breakfast head out on the last day of the trail. You’ll be following the old forestry guards trail, a showcase of the stunning scenery in this area. Along the way you’re likely to meet more of the wild horses and from their pasture grounds you’ll head down the mountain, reaching the village of Grijó, where lunch is served. After lunch continue through the rural landscape passing the ancient ruins of a castle built on top of a granite stone settlement, in the 15th century this served as a watch-post for incoming invasions from Spain. Make the final descent downhill until you reach the stables and accommodation where the trail started.

Day 8 After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your hosts and the horses and transfer back to the airport.