No matter if you’re an equine aficionado or a novice to all things horsey, horseback riding is undoubtedly a beautiful way to explore some of the world’s natural undeveloped places. Check out these remote and magnificent horse riding trips.
Read our blog about the Palio di Siena, videos and sublime pictures.
The Connemara Trail – County Galway, Ireland
Connemara is real horse riding country – rocky, windswept and a laden with vistas. They even have an indigenous breed – the hearty Connemara pony. Riders can hire Connemara ponies and be guided across this typically Irish landscape of dramatic mountains, peaceful lakes and rust coloured bogs by a local.
Pakiri Beach – Auckland, New Zealand
Pakiri beach is just 90 minutes from downtown Auckland and nearby Matakana Coast wine country. Here, riders follow in the footsteps (or should that be hoofprints?) of the Maori with a visit to the ancient Pa site, or ride the nine miles of Pakiri Beach’s white sand adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.
Yellowstone – Montana, USA
Those with an itchin’ to experience the life of all-American cowboy can opt into the brilliantly named Hell’s A-Roarin’ Ranch, where the Johnson family take groups for rides in Yellowstone National Park on horseback by day and provide rustic cabin accommodation at night. Adventurous and accomplished riders can join the traditional Memorial Day weekend horse drive at the end of May.
Zavkhan and the Altai Mountains – Mongolia
With many nomadic peoples, Mongolia has a strong connection with horses and a long equine tradition. This trip allows experienced riders the chance to ride Mongolian horses across two of Mongolia’s least-visited and most scenic regions.
Estancia Los Potreros – Sierras Chicas, Argentina
Estancia Los Potreros has some of the best trail riding in rural Argentina. Things are very relaxed on this large country estate, where most visitors take a four to six hour ride during the day that’s punctuated by a picnic. The brave and those looking for a slightly more thrilling experience can give polo a try!
The Grand Canyon – Utah, USA
We’ve said before the best way to appreciate the Grand Canyon is to take a trip and explore beneath its rim (Did you see our post – with beautiful images – on the Grand Canyon?. And there’s really no better way to do that than on horseback (or muleback!) from the North Rim.
Rajasthan – India
The cities of Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaipur are undeniably breathtaking, yet something of their lustre has been lost in the number of visitors that go there these days. Witness some of Rajasthan less fettered by the hands of mass tourism aboard a royal Marwari, an ancient breed of warhorses whose history is entwined with the history of Rajasthan and the Rajputs.
Kalahari Desert – Botswana
This trip lets riders canter gently through the mopane and acacia woodlands interspersed with short grasslands while trying to catch a glimpse of Botswana’s fantastic wildlife, such as birds of prey, meerkats and zebra.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Featured image: mikebaird)
