National Park Trail, Wales

6 NightsStrong Intermediate to AdvancedFrom £1,250 GBP?Tour costs £1,250 GBP which is approximately $2,315 AUD

The National Park Trail is the IDEAL amount of time to fall in love with all things Wales.

Overview

With five full days in the saddle, this ride sees you tracking ancient drover routes {only known by your guides} and roaming across treeless, windswept hills. You see, for the entire week, you’ll be wandering like a Welshman through the Brecon Beacons National Park. This National Park is wondrous and intriguing thanks to its utter desolateness. Imagine traversing a fragile, spongy ecosystem on your surefooted Welsh Cob, watched on by hardy sheep and wild Welsh horses. By the hour you’ll be reaching for your camera, and when you’re not trying to photograph the wild and untamed moors you’ll be grinning from ear to ear as you gallop like an amateur jockey over the wide open commons.

And when you’re not in the saddle falling in love with your horse, you’ll be falling in love with the history and charm of this Celtic country. Fun fact: we were told by our guide, Paul Turner, that Wales has more castles per square metre than anywhere else in the world! With that said, sprinkled throughout the itinerary you’ll find a ride to, and lunch at, the oldest pub in Wales; a chance to wander the ancient monastery at Llanthony; and a night spent at the positively charming market town of Hay-on-Wye, famous for being the book capital of the world.

Fast Facts

  • Horse Breed:Fine, fit Welsh Cobs who will surprise you with their surefootedness and superb balance. Compact, intelligent and strong, they are ideally suited to the hills and mountains that will surround you.
  • Pace:The pace is fast and varies on a daily basis, with lots of trotting, cantering and some gallops involved.
  • Weight Limit:A maximum of 88kg / 194lbs.
  • Type of tack:English all-purpose saddles *Please be advised that this is a hands-on ride (it’s the Welsh way) which includes pitching in to help at the end of each day. Not only will you have to help look after your horse, but you’ll also be required to assist with cleaning the saddles, bridles, girths and saddlecloths at the end of every day. For those accustomed to handing your horse to a groom, this might not be the right riding holiday for you.
  • Seasons:June to September.
  • Group size:A maximum of 8 guests.
  • Time in Saddle:Between 4 to 6 hours per day.
  • Riding Ability:Suitable for strong intermediate to advanced riders. All riders must be fit, have good stamina and be comfortable riding at speed over varied terrain. Not sure what your riding experience is? Watch THIS video to find out.
  • Accommodation:A mixture of B&B style accommodation (some with shared facilities) and a historic 17th Century Welsh Longhouse (with ensuites).
  • Ride Length:7 days, 6 nights, with 5 riding days.
  • Inclusions:

    Price includes 5 full days riding, 6 nights’ accommodation, all meals (from first day dinner through to last day breakfast) and luggage transportation throughout the ride.

  • Exclusions:

    Price excludes international flights, travel insurance, transfers to and from the ride, alcohol and drinks (other than water).

Itinerary

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*Please note, this is a suggested itinerary only and subject to change at the discretion of your guides due to weather and other influencing factors.

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  • Day 1

    Throughout this week-long riding holiday you’ll be combing the beautiful wild mountains of Brecon Beacons National Park from the back of your sturdy Welsh Cob. This is a week spent on ancient drover routes across the naked hills, where you’ll share the spectacular landscapes with wild ponies and woolly sheep. Days spent gasping at panoramic views {unless it’s raining – but we won’t mention that!} as you gallop over wide open commons. Welcome to Wales!

    You can arrive at Blaenau Bach B&B anytime after 5pm today Globetrotters where you’ll have time to settle in, meet the horses and get to know your fellow globetrotting guests and hosts, Paul and Emily Turner, over a hearty home-cooked dinner.

  • Days 2 & 3

    It’s time to saddle up Globetrotters and ride off into the local Black Mountains. For the next two days you’ll be heading into the hills which are literally right on your doorstep, riding between 10-15 miles (16-24 kms) a day. You’ll stop for lunch at country inns or remote picnic spots, before returning to Blaenau Bach each night for a well- earned dinner and comfortable bed.

    Don’t worry Globetrotters, even though you’re staying in the same place for a couple of nights, I guarantee you won’t ride the same trail twice. This really is world-class trail riding right on your doorstep. You can choose to change horses each day, and you’ll see your stamina and skill increase with the more miles you ride.

  • Day 4

    It’s time to pack your bags, throw them (carefully!) into the Land Rover and set off over the ridge towards the very edge of Wales to our all-time fave Welsh village – Hay-on-Wye. For the next two nights you’ll be staying at two different B&Bs, before returning to Blaenau Bach on the final evening, so if you don’t wish to take all your belongings, just pack enough for two nights and leave the rest at the farm.

    After a long climb over Rhiw Trumau, you’ll be rewarded with fantastic views back over the Rhiangol Valley that you have ridden over for the past few days. You will then head down an old coach road to the Red Lion Inn at Llanbedr for lunch. After lunch you follow a valley path in the shadow of Sugarloaf Mountain to Forest Coal Pit, then ride across Bryn Arw before finishing the day at the Skirrid Inn, the oldest pub in Wales, near Abergavenny. The horses are turned out, and a cup of tea and slice of delicious cake awaits!

    Your bags will have already been delivered to the comfortable B&B where you’ll be staying this evening, so you’ll have time to freshen up before heading back to the Skirrid Inn for dinner.

  • Day 5

    Pack up your bags again Globetrotters, and after a stomach-filling breakfast, you’ll ride up Hatteral Ridge on the ancient border between England and Wales – the famous Offa’s Dyke path which stretches from one end of Wales to the other, named after King Offa who built it in the 6th century. You will earn glorious views of the green fields of Herefordshire in England to one side, and on the otherside the vastness of Wales and the Black Mountains. Along the top of the ridge between England and Wales you’ll be able to unleash your inner speed demon, with endless spurts of canter. Depending on the time, you may drop down into Herefordshire to visit the Goat Company Farm where you can buy Angora clothes, blankets and rugs – don’t miss out on a pair of mohair socks!

    You will finish the afternoon riding up onto the Black Hill before descending Hay Bluff and Cusop Dingle towards your bed (and horse field!) for the night in Hay-on-Wye, the town of books.

  • Day 6

    Your last riding day globetrotters – boo! Your route back into the Black Mountains takes you into the Wye Valley, where you visit the Three Horseshoes in Felindre for lunch. After lunch, with their heads turned towards home, the horses are keen to return to Blaenau Bach and you’ll be treated to a final exhilarating gallop across Felindre Common to finish off the ride on a huge high!

    Tonight, you’ll sit down for one final Welsh meal with your hosts, reminiscing of the thrills of the week’s adventures.

  • Day 7

    After one final hearty breakfast at Blaenau Bach, you’ll bid farewell to your horses and fellow riders and depart, no doubt vowing to return for some more fun sometime in the not-so- distant future!

  • Transfer Information

    You will need to make your own way to our ride partner’s farm – Blaenau Bach – where the ride starts and ends, as there are no transfers available. Blaenau Bach is hidden in an unspoilt valley deep in the beautiful Black Mountains of mid-Wales, approximately 17 miles from Abergavenny, 3.5 hours’ drive or train ride from London, and 2 hours from Birmingham.

    By car: Depending on which airport you fly into, you may wish to hire a car and drive to Blaenau Bach. You’ll be able to leave your car there for the duration of the ride.

    By train: The nearest station is Abergavenny. From London Paddington, via Newport, the journey can be as short as 2 hours 20 minutes. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for timetables and fares. It is then a short taxi ride to the farm (about 35 minutes, £30-35). We recommend a friendly taxi driver named Barry, who you can call on 07854 696 747. If you tell him your arrival time, he will be there to meet you.

    By bus: National Express coaches offer a speedy and comfortable journey from Heathrow Airport (and other airports) to Chepstow, where we can arrange a transfer to the farm. The coach trip takes 2 hours, and the drive from Chepstow is a further one hour. The coach ticket costs approximately £39.70 return (price subject to change), and the transfer is £70 – we can hook you up to meet others to share the cost. Full details and a journey planner can be found at www.nationalexpress.com

  • Optional Extras

    If you have the budget and time, you have the option of adding a further two days/two nights fully inclusive weekend onto your ride. For this to happen, Friday becomes a rest day to visit nearby Hay-on-Wye (the town of books) with its fantastic range of bookshops, vintage shops and cafes, or Brecon. Then you’ll ride Saturday and Sunday on the local trails. Please refer to our fact box for pricing.

STORIES FROM THE SADDLE

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