These trails take a new direction each day across unspoilt hills, forest, dunes and beaches, you can unpack and relax knowing that you return to the same comfortable hotel each night. We have even put a rest day in for riders and horses so you can relax or explore the area.
These rides are suitable for intermediate and experienced riders. Riders must be able to mount and dismount from the ground unaided. All participants must be competent, confident and in control at all paces including gallop. A reasonable level of current riding fitness is required as you’ll be spending 4-6 hours in the saddle each day.
Coastal Trail: 8 Days, 7 nights, 5 days riding £1650pp
Single supplement £295
2024
24 Feb - 02 March
16 - 23 March
06 - 13 April
11 - 18 May
25 May - 01 June
15 - 22 June
21 - 28 Sept
05 - 12 October
19 - 26 October
Sample Itinerary: Saturday no riding
Arrive by 16.30 in Lisbon to be met for your transfer at 17.30 to a comfortable rural hotel in Grandola. This is a small town in the Alentejo region close to the coast and stables. Unpack and relax as you will be here for 4 nights. You may even want a dip in the pool before meeting your fellow riders for dinner in the hotel.
Sunday 4-6 hours riding
After breakfast we take you to the stables near Melides here you will meet your horse for your trail – there are a selection of Lusitano and Lusitano Arab cross horses – all sure footed, full of character and part of the family as they have been bred by the stables. From the stables we ride straight up into the hills of Grandola where there are ancient cork trees and panoramic views of the Atlantic. We do a lunch stop with a typical Portuguese picnic. After lunch more chances to canter on tracks through the forest. The horses will be stabled overnight and a 10 minute car transfer gets you all back to the hotel to refresh, swim, relax before dinner at a local restaurant in Melides.
Monday 4-6 hours riding
Today we traverse the forests of eucalyptus, cork and wild trees – taking in the distinct smells and sounds as the horses’ brush past the eucalyptus branches and crunching hooves on fallen bark. Lunch today will be a spectacular picnic spot at the ruins of a church with views of the surrounding countryside, dunes and ocean. After lunch and a siesta there will be an opportunity for some fast riding on the sandy trails which criss-cross this part of the countryside. Dinner will be at another local restaurant.
Tuesday 4-6 hours riding
Todays riding takes us down from the hills to the beaches. With an early start you will watch the sun rise over the dunes and more tracks to have a fast canter to the beach. We then go to a shady spot in the forest to give the horses a rest and enjoy our picnic – you may want to have a swim in sea! After lunch we head through the dunes along the lagoon to the beach stables and a short transfer by car back to the hotel.
Wednesday no riding
Today is a rest and relaxation day. At about midday we do a short transfer to another hotel in a small countryside resort with a natural pool to swim in and forest walks – you may chose to take a bike ride to explore the area or even a trip to the village of Alcacer do Sal to visit one of the oldest handmade saddleries in Portugal. Dinner will be at the hotel.
Thursday 4-6 hours riding
Another early start to ride from the beach stables along the beach and then into the dunes and forest. Again, to watch the first light and sun rise over the dunes. We have another lovely picnic spot in the forest where the horses can rest while you enjoy another Portuguese lunch. On the ride this afternoon we ride through forests to the vineyards. Dinner is at a local restaurant.
Friday 4-6 hours riding
From the vineyards we ride to the river estuary, there are plenty of opportunities for faster riding, as we pass through rice fields on sandy tracks with the sound of the Atlantic waves in the background. We say goodbye to the horses at the end of our ride as they are taken back to their stables. On return to the hotel you can enjoy a swim in the natural pool before a farewell dinner in a local sea food restaurant.
Saturday no riding
After breakfast it is time for a transfer to Lisbon – to catch flights from midday onwards
We also do a long weekend Coastal Ride Ride in Sun Long Weekend
All of the horses are Lusitano or Arab Lusitano cross and are home bred for our trail rides. As a result they are easy to ride, sure footed and know their job. They are all treated like family!
Our guides all speak English and French as well as Portuguese and are local to the area and proud to share their local knowledge – they are dedicated to the welfare of their horses.
Tack is English style bridles and Portuguese military saddles with a comfortable sheepskin pad!
Maximum weight 85 kg
Rides are between 4 – 10 riders
Ask for non-rider prices.
Travel insurance is mandatory for riding in Europe.
Equestrian Escapes inspect all the horses in our horse riding holidays to ensure the best quality holiday for you.
If you are interseted in a short riding in the UK before you travel to brush up on your canter and get used to the saddle have a look at the riding holidays we offer, including:
Short Break in Sherwood Forest
For tips regarding your holiday such as what to wear and riding ability, please visit the Travel Tips page.
We work hard to ensure that each customer has a great time on their holiday. Please see some riding holiday reviews here.
We have a large range of holidays to suit a range of riding abilities. Please see here for more information.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.