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 (Photo by Graeme Lee Pollard.

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 Bruno are the owner guides that will accompany you on all of the trails. Their deep knowledge of the region spans culture, cuisine, blacksmithing, and horsemanship. Both local guides speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Carlos and Bruno are the perfect companions for this trail.

Group size 2-8

Any questions?

The Horses

The horses are Hispano-Arab and Lusitanian horses; under 15 years old and Cruzados” (Arab and English thoroughbred with Spanish or
Portuguese horses). These horses are ideal for adventurous journeys in any kind of terrain or challenging situation—they are brave and peaceful in all situations. They are responsive, lively, and fast, as well as being sure footed even on difficult terrain. We use English saddles and most of the time we ride with long reins. This relaxed way of riding permits enjoyment for the riders as well as the horses. (Photo by Graeme Lee Pollard).

Wild Horses Trail - Horse Riding Holidays Portugal

Accommodation and Dining

You’ll stay 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.

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). There is also a direct coach from Porto Airport to Arcos de Valdevez which is ammore affordable option than the transfer. 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 8.00 AM, followed by horse preparation. We will begin the adventure at 10:00 AM, starting just above the medieval town of Arcos de Valdevez. The journey crosses the area towards the direction of the border of Penêda-Geres National Park. We will see castles, view mountain plains, and discover where the wild horses live. There will be amazing landscapes of old traditional stone mountain villages along the way. Lunch will be at a local mountain pinic followed by a horse-riding trail that leads to pre-historical remains of old civilizations. Afterwards, the tour will head to the National Park interpretation Center. The Center provides all the information about the park. This location is also the place where we will leave the horses resting overnight. They will be kept in the old forestry nursery fields. We will then travel back to the Equestrian Center; after a rest, we depart to have dinner at the Quinta, a typical Portuguese meal. Following dinner, we return for a good night’s rest.

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 and preparing the horses, the journey starts in the direction of the woods above the Equestrian Center. This is a protected area called Corno de Bico. The trails are full of forest wildlife, including: wild horses, mountain cows, foxes, wild boars, and even deer & wolves. We will enjoy lunch in a local tavern in the heart of a small and wonderful village with only 6 houses and 16 inhabitants. Afterwards, the journey continues uphill to a view that includes wide open clean air, beautiful skies, and the Atlantic coast. Our next horse-riding destination is into the core of the protected landscape of Corno de Bico. We will see a post of the ancient forestry guard that served as surveillance for this wonderful, protected natural landscape. Descending from the forest scenery, we take a trail that leads to the old village of Bico. We will leave the horses in the fields where they can rest and recover. We will head back to the Stables at our Quinta for dinner and a peaceful night rest.

Day 6 Awaken and enjoy breakfast at 9.00 AM. Then will transfer to Bico to pick up our horses in the field and prepare them for the next adventure. We will explore the protected Natural Reserve at Corno de Bico. There are a variety of trails that will offer a day of discovery. This memorable experience will include searching for the herds of wild horses. Within the park you will be able to sense the untouched beauty of nature, free from human footprint. We will carry our meals in the saddle bags of the horses and will take a break at the charming village of Grijo, where we will enjoy our lunch. We will trail back to Bico to allow the horses to rest in the field one more night, whilst we head back to the Quinta to enjoy a lovely meal and rest too.

Day 7 We awaken to the sound of nature and meet for breakfast at 9:00AM. We will head to meet the horses and prepare them for the day. We will ride to another wonderful landscape, through the old forestry guards trail, exploring the beauty that is preserved and cared for. We will see the shelters of the wild horses, which are comprised of groups of 50 to 60 trees planted in the woods. The trees are planted in a way that protect the wildlife in harsh winters and hot summers. We will most likely meet the wild horses grazing on their pasture grounds and we will stop on the edge of the forest, by the water, to have our packed lunches. It is not by chance, that they call this beautiful place: The Enchanted Forest of Miranda. After lunch, the journey continues as we start descending towards the Quinta for a relaxed late afternoon, where you will have the chance to enjoy the pool. Diner at a Portuguese restaurant.

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