Mountain trekking
When you see, for the first time, the stunning panoramic views high up on the back of your steady mount, there’s nothing quite like it. Something releases inside you. Your breath steadies, your heart lifts, and the world just feels kinder.
We can take you there!
We offer 1 hour or 2 1/4 hour treks for individuals, couples and groups/a family up to 5 or 6 (depending on rider weights). Each rider is accompanied by a walking guide, so no riding experience at all is needed although we can also accommodate experienced riders with an assessment beforehand. We use mules and draft horses that are steady and confident on the mountain paths, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the experience.
T he trek begins with a short introduction (5-10 minutes, not included in the trek time), where we supply you with your helmet and vest, you meet your ride and we go through some basic riding and safety instructions. This is a great opportunity to get to know your traveling companion before we get going up the tracks.
Then the 1 hour or 2 ¼ hour trek begins. Routes will vary depending on the difficulty level we assess appropriate for the riders. You will always have a guide on the ground alongside you. This makes the experience particularly great for complete non-riders and children aged 4+ years, whom we can easily accommodate. (We can provide a different riding experience for children under 5, please ask for more details).
At the end of the trek we give you an opportunity to spend a bit of time with your animal, treat and groom him/her if you want. There’s also an opportunity to meet our super sweet donkey, or pony, and learn a bit more about our rescue work, and our work on land restoration. This is all part of the wider experience we offer our customers.
What to expect along the route?
To make the most of the stunning scenery and the peace of the countryside, we include a refreshment break (or two) at key locations. There, you can enjoy a free bottle of water, take in the views, pause for a chat and, of course, take extra pictures. Depending on the route, there’s mountain views, woodland, streams, waterfalls that you can capture on your camera from the saddle if you like.
The one hour trek costs €30 per person, or €25 per person if more than three books together.
The two and quarter hour trek costs €60 per person, or €50 per person if more than three book together.
These times are for the trekking times. The orientation at the beginning, and quality time spent with our equines at the end of the trek adds approximately 30 mins to 45 mins more to your equine experience.
We take booking inquiries by email (quintadeestevianas@gmail.com), telephone/WhatsApp (+351920519357) or on our website form. You can cancel your booking up to 24 hours before the trek.
Essential information
For your own safety, you will need to understand simple instructions given in either English or Dutch.
For the health, wellbeing and safety of our animals and riders, there are weight limits for riders (we cannot accommodate anyone exceeding 100kg, and only two riders over 80kg). We discuss this with you when you make your initial trek inquiry.
Equally, for the health and safety of our animals, and riders, we expect a level of fitness sufficient enough to dismount an animal in an emergency.
As we are dealing with well behaved but sensitive animals, we ask all riders to respect our animals’ uniqueness and any instructions we give regarding behavior around them.
At any point on the trek we have the right to terminate the ride if instructions are not followed and a rider is putting themselves, the animals or others at risk.
Of course, we provide detailed instructions and full terms and conditions with your booking inquiry.