Bay of Somme Trail
Riding Henson horses, a hardy, responsive and willing local breed, you’ll explore forests, sand dunes, and open countryside, finishing with exhilarating beach gallops along the Bay of Somme.
Each day brings a new perspective on this remarkable region, from peaceful woodland paths to sweeping coastal views. The route also includes cultural visits to historic castles and elegant gardens, offering a glimpse into Picardie’s rich heritage. Meals are taken in local restaurants - your horses tied up outside as you enjoy traditional French cuisine.
All horses are ridden bitless, and a horse-drawn carriage accompanies the trail to carry luggage and offer a welcome rest for any rider who wishes to take a break. This is a relaxed, scenic journey combining nature, culture, and the unique rhythm of travelling on horseback through one of France’s most unspoiled coastal regions.
The riding is relaxed yet engaging, offering plenty of variety across the region’s diverse landscapes - from open fields and forests to coastal dunes and wide sandy beaches. Expect between four and five hours in the saddle each day, with a mix of walk, trot, and long canters where the terrain allows. There are fun, winding canters through woods and forests and fast canters on the beach on the final day. The Henson horses, a surefooted local breed, are comfortable, responsive, and perfectly suited to both the green rolling hills inland and the open coastline.
- Explore the stunning landscapes of the Bay of Somme, one of France’s most beautiful natural coastal regions.
- Ride the famous Henson horses, specially bred for the wetlands and coastal terrain of the bay.
- Discover sandy beaches, dunes, salt marshes and traditional fishing villages rich in wildlife.
- Enjoy spectacular beach rides and canters across wide open coastal landscapes.
- Stay in comfortable accommodation and experience the unique culture and gastronomy of northern France.
itinerary
Day 1
Meet at 9 a.m. at the stables in Rue and begin your journey through the rolling Ponthieu Hills. Visit the Abbaye de Valloires, renowned for its spectacular gardens, before continuing to your charming countryside accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2
Ride through farmland and traditional villages, where every church spire tells a story. In Moismont, visit local orchards and meet the passionate growers who transform their fruit into delicious regional products. Continue through the woodlands of Regnière-Écluse and its romantic château—an idyllic place to feel like royalty on horseback. Dinner and overnight in a nearby village.
Day 3
Today’s ride leads to the historic Crécy battlefield (1346), where English archers triumphed over the French cavalry. After a picnic lunch and guided visit, continue through the vast Crécy Forest, enjoying long woodland canters beneath ancient trees. Dinner and overnight in a traditional guesthouse.
Day 4
End your adventure in style with a thrilling beach ride. Gallop through the surf with the dunes of Marquenterre rising behind you - a perfect finale to your journey. Cross the Maye River ford in the homeland of the Henson horses, then toast your adventure with a farewell drink before departure at around 4:30 p.m.
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Bay of Somme Trail
Mini-brochure PDF
know before you go
This trail is suitable for riders with an intermediate level of experience or above. You should be comfortable riding a horse in open terrain at all paces, including long canters on the beach. A good general level of fitness is important, as you’ll be spending around four to five hours in the saddle each day, sometimes over uneven or sandy ground. The pace is relaxed but active, making it ideal for riders who enjoy spending full days outdoors, exploring varied landscapes on responsive, well-trained horses.
The weight limit is 100 kg.
All rides are led by qualified, licensed guides, as required by French law. In France, professional riding guides must hold an official equestrian tourism qualification, ensuring they are trained in horse welfare, navigation, and rider safety. Guides are usually French or Belgian and speak both French and English fluently. Your local guide knows the region well and is adept at ensuring the groups safety, ie by riding single file only on the beach and in open areas. The trail includes a visit to Crecy where the group is joined by a lively historian who shares historical stories about the battles fought.
The group size is 4-8.
You’ll ride the remarkable Henson horses, a rare and distinctive French breed native to this region. Bred from Fjord, Anglo Arab and local saddle horses, Hensons combine the strength and surefootedness of their Nordic ancestors with the agility and calm temperament needed for long-distance trail riding. They are steady, willing and responsive. The breed was created (by your hosts!) in the late 1970s who wanted a breed that could be the perfect leisure horse. The horses are all dun in colour and are usually between 14hh and 16hh. They have a happy life, living out in huge herds at the farm where the trail begins. Around 50 foals are born here every year.
Riders use English military saddles (which are harder than traditional general purpose saddles) if you like a softer saddle we recommend bringing a seat saver or similar. All the horses are backed, trained and ridden using a bitless bridle. Saddlebags are not provided as a carriage accompanies the trail and carries any daily essentials, raincoats, water bottles etc that you might need while on the trail.
Price includes
- Four days of riding (4-5 hours per day)
- Three nights accommodation
- All meals from lunch on day 1 to lunch on day 4
- Drinks during the trail including local beer and wine
- Transfer from/ to Rue train station
- Entrance fes to all visits mentioned in itinerary
Price Excludes
- Insurance
- Visits
- Tips
Accommodation
Accommodation is in welcoming gites (guesthouses) with each night spent in a different location and the horses in a field nearby. The price is based on two sharing but single rooms are available for a supplement. The bedrooms are very clean and tastefully decoarated with all linens and towels provided along with Wifi and hairdryers.
Day 1: Riverside cottage: Gite Les Amis de L'Authie
Day 2: 18th century farmhouse: Gite Baie de Somme
Day 3: Modern gite - Gite des 4 Tilleuls
Meals are a highlight of the experience - expect the kind of hospitality and flavour that France is famous for. Lunches are proper picnics enjoyed out on the trail, complete with tables, fresh local produce, and a touch of French flair - so much more than a simple sandwich stop. In the evenings, riders dine in local restaurants, sampling regional specialities (seafood and fish is popular in this region) and classic French dishes, often paired with excellent local wine and beer. Dietary requirements can easily be catered for with advance notice.
Bay of Somme Trail
Booking Conditions
See the full booking conditions specific to this trail here.Single room supplement: £70 per night. Only payable if you do not want to share.
International flights & Airport transfers
Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.
The stables are a short and easy drive from Calais (1h15m) if arriving in France via the ferry or Eurotunnel.
Otherwise the nearest airport is Paris Beauvais - about a 1h15m drive from the stables.
You can also travel by train directly from Paris to Rue, where your hosts can collect you.