Black Mountains Trail

Introduction
Wales Wales

For more than 25 years, our partner and his sons have been leading rides through  the wonderful mountains, mysterious bogs, dense forests and clear, beautiful rivers of Wales. The week of  guided trail riding progressively gets more challenging as the trail turns to exploring the wild reaches of the Black Mountains. This relatively undiscovered area of high moorland is set between the picturesque Wye and Usk valleys and provides some of the best cross-country riding to be found anywhere in the UK!  Each day we take a different route, covering between 8 and 18 miles a day, stopping for lunch at one of the traditional Welsh inns along the way. As with many of our rides, you'll get to experience a varied range of terrain, pace and scenery, returning to the comforts of the farm each evening while the horses overnight out on the trail.
Maria's splendid home-cooked food is the highlight of the evenings and guests are free to relax around the cosy fire or visit the local pub. You will have a chance to eat out at a local inn or restaurant one night during the stay – Abergavenny and the surrounding area is becoming justifiably famous for quality food and we're able to advise on some great places to eat!
A Saturday evening arrival to the farm and a introductory dinner will help acquaint riders and guides. The challenge of the riding will grow throughout the week, but the keyword is flexibility, and the staff are always on hand to ensure your ride is safe, enjoyable and exciting. You'll finish your week in Wales a much more confident, relaxed and knowledgeable rider!

Accomodation

The lodgings are at a lovely farmhouse that dates back to the 17th century. Rooms are partially equipped with private washrooms. Dining room with open fire place. There is a Jacuzzi at the farmhouse for you to relax your well worked muscles after a long day's riding. So don't forget your swimsuit!!
Single room supplements or special arrangements (e.g. en-suite rooms) may be requested on arrival and if available - you can pay locally for this.

Meals are Welsh, Bavarian and East African (where our host spent some time) cuisine. They have a superb reputation for some of the finest food to be found anywhere on a horse riding holiday in the UK. Please notify us when booking if you are vegetarian or allergic to any food.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

A herd of about 60 Welsh Cobs and crosses, most of which have lived on the farm since  they were foals. They are selected for superior temperament and character.  Size ranges from 14 to 16 hands.  The farm breeds their own replacement stock and every year there are new arrivals on the farm.  The horses are very reliable, friendly and sure footed- guaranteed to give you an excellent ride! Saddles are the very comfortable endurance type.

Skill level required: all riders should be able to walk, trot, and canter.

Itinerary

Throughout the week the guests will learn horse-sense and the necessary farm skills, including catching, grooming, tacking up and cleaning of their own individual horse. They will  also be responsible for caring for their tack at the end of the rides. We mount and try out all paces with the horses and as the riders' balance improves, the horses sort out their preferred order to ride. We mostly ride in double file and when we trot into town everything stops for us- our Welsh Cobs are well known and respected throughout Mid-Wales!

This trail will put you through your paces over the most varied of terrains. Mountain and moorland tracks, valleys and pasture land, we will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the Welsh countryside at all paces!
We take different trails each day and lunch at village inns or remote picnic sites high up in the Black Mountains - traveling further and faster each day!
You will ride up and down steep slopes, cross lofty summits, wade rocky rivers, pass through dense woods and see the beautiful wilderness of Wales. Our cobs have fast acceleration, perfect handling and automatic survival instinct. They run on grass and water - they're more environmentally friendly than any machine!

The evenings are spent enjoying Maria's splendid home-cooked food, and afterward guests are free to relax around the cosy fire or visit the local pub. On one night during the week, guests eat out at a local inn or restaurant – Abergavenny and the surrounding area is well known for its great food selection!

Subject to change

Rates and Dates for Black Mountains Trail

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Talgarth
Airport: London
Transfer: London Heathrow 1PM Terminal 2 OR Abergavenny station

Climate: