Ride Overview
Your base for the week, Herdade do Pessegueiro, is in the middle of the nature reserve “Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina”, 180 km from Lisbon, 170 km from Faro and just a few meters from the marvelous Ilha do Pessegueiro beach.
The farm has six apartments, all with a direct view to the sea. Internet is available and you have at your disposal music and books whilst drinking a nice Alentejo wine. You can listen to the birds, feel the light breeze and visit the beautiful lake that can be used as a natural pool or simply as a place to meditate.
You will ride well trained and responsive Lusitanos on coastal paths, down long sandy beaches, through cork forests and in small coastal villages. All the while, you’ll enjoy meals of wonderful seafood and local fare while seeing why the Algarve is one of the most popular areas in Europe, drawing visitors from all over.
2025 Dates: Sunday to Saturday, Jan. 5-11, Jan. 12-18, Jan. 19-25, Jan. 26-1, Feb. 2-8, Feb. 9-15, Feb. 16-22, Feb. 23-1, March 2-8, March 9-15, March 16-22, March 23-29, March 30-April 5, April 6-12, April 13-19, May 4-10, May 11-17, May 18-24, May 25-31, June 1-7, June 8-14, Sept. 14-20, Sept. 21-27, Sept. 28-Oct. 04, Oct. 5-11, Oct. 12-18, Oct. 19-25, Oct. 26-Nov. 1, Nov. 2-8, Nov. 16-22, Nov. 23-29, Nov. 30-Dec. 6, Dec. 7-13
4.5-6 hours of riding per day. (Minimum 4 people to confirm a week.)
Transfers to/from Lisbon Airport arranged at pre-set time for 95€ each way paid direct to driver.
Rate: $2,370.00 USD per person shared. (Single Supplement: $380.00 USD)
Shorter Version: Monday to Friday, 5 days of riding (2-3 hours per day)
Rate: $1,985.00 USD per person shared (Single Supplement: $255.00 USD)
Mini Break: Monday-Wednesday, 3 days of riding (2-3 hours per day)
Rate: $860.00 USD per person shared (Single Supplement: $125.00 USD)
***NOTE: Applies to all rides – From June 15-September 15 we are not allowed to ride in the beach. Long canters will be in the dunes overlooking the beach.
Included
- 6 nights accommodation
- 5 days of riding - 4.5-6 hours
- All meals
- Horse and all Tack
- Guiding services
- All local taxes
Not Included
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Airport transfers to/from the farm
- Gratuities at the end of your stay
Day 1 - Sunday:
Meet at Lisbon airport (fee not included) and travel through a variation of landscapes to our destination – “Herdade do Pessegueiro”, about 2 hours traveled. Here you will meet the family, the guide, the rooms and of course, the horses that are stabled here.
At dinner, with the amazing sunset over the “Ilha do Pessegueiro” Island, your host will go over the week's program and talk about individual preferences as to what sort of horse they would like to ride.
Day 2 - Monday: From the charms of Porto Côvo to the Morgavel Dam
Nothing like starting your first day with a breakfast in front of the sea.
After being introduced to your friends for the rest of the week – the horses - we begin the trail going north through the small fishing village of “Porto Covo”, following the cliff tops from where we can we see the many small beautiful beaches that line the coast.
Then the terrain is flat and soft, amazing for long and enjoyable canters before entering the cork oak forest where we have a long lunch near the ”Morgavel” dam. During the tranquil time after lunch and during which the horses have a nice rest, we can have a refreshing swim.
Afterward, we ride along the long meandering trail through the “Gaio valley” filled with tall ferns and many species of wild flowers, remembering an old forest that once filled the area.
Returning back to the farm, the horses enjoy a refreshing bath before heading out to their field while we enjoy a drink at the bar and watch them frolic and play.
Day 3 – Tuesday: Along the beaches
SStarting from the farm, we ride southwest and you will see the delightful scenery of the “Ilha do Pessegueiro” and the impressive Pessegueiro Fort.
With the salty Atlantic breeze for company, you reach the beaches of “Aivados” and “Malhão”, with their impressive dunes and trails of compact sand, ideal for long gallops.
We stop for a delicious picnic in a pine forest, surrounded by lavender and thyme. After the well-deserved rest, we'll head out to the vast plains, between small towns and mountains in the background. We arrive to the windmill where the local grains were originally milled, in the village of “Cabeça da Cabra”.
The horses relax here tonight as we head back to the farm and later to dinner in town.
Day 4 - Wednesday: From Cabeça da Cabra to the Campilhas Dam
Today, we ride east, passing by centuries-old cork oaks and stone pines to reach the “Campilhas” dam, a freshwater lake where the silence is deep and where only birds are heard.
We will enjoy a magnificent picnic by the water. After a nap, we follow the historic trail of the Rota Vicentina, along clay paths between eucalyptus trees and green valleys towards a farm in Serra do Cercal where the horses overnight.
Day 5 - Thursday: From Serra do Cercal to Cabeça Da Cabra
Starting from the farm in Cercal, you ride through the “Sela Vermelha Valley” and then over the ridge of “Cercal”, which gives a spectacular view of the región in all directions!
You pass close to the old iron extraction mines of Cercal before stopping for a picnic in the shade of huge centenary cork oaks.
In the afternoon, we will enjoy some gallops among the cork oak forests and eucalyptus trees and we will once again reach the mill where the horses will spend the night.
Day 6 - Friday: Cabeça de Cabra- Milfontes- Herdade
Starting from the windmill you ride south through Vale dos Godins, until you reach the sand dunes and the sea. Lunch is served near the town of “Milfontes”.
After lunch you will start feeling the salty breeze from the Atlantic while you cross the remote “Malhão” beach with sand dunes where you can see up to the coastal plain.. The view and the riding are super fun!
On the way back you will be amazed at the sparkling clear bluish green waters of the Atlantic Ocean - you ride up the coast and then cross over the coastal plain to reach the farm, where you say goodbye and thank you to the horses before going to the restaurant for the farewell dinner
Day 7 - Saturday:
After breakfast we transfer to the airport (fee not included).
NOTE: The trail can be changed according to weather conditions or other special conditions.
Barbara A.
We had a great trip! Both my daughter and I were delighted with our well trained and lively horses, and our many long canters and trots (the beach was the best!). Paolo was an expert and engaging guide through the countryside and beyond, and Claudia was an excellent host.
We were immersed in all things Portuguese, including 3 hour dinners (and 2-3 bottles of wine) most evenings with a variety of locals and the riding center crew. The food and wine were fabulous. Thanks for recommending this trip.
Betty R.
Thank you for a magical week, a week of real riding, not to mention it was warm! Claudia is a great story teller and Paolo and Marisa took excellent care of us on the trails.
The terrain was great and excellent for long canters, and our trip thru the cork forest interesting, not to mention the beautiful scenery along the ocean. AND of course Pavarotti, the wonder horse who made it all even more wonderful.
A trip I loved and would highly recommend.