The 2027 Guide to Horse Riding in Wales
Horse-lovers, dedicated equestrians and eager animal fans have an incredible time visiting Wales. With world-class horse riding scattered across the country, it’s widely considered one of the premier trekking destinations in Europe. From ancient bridleways winding through pine forests to flat sandy beaches built for a coastal gallop, there’s a route for every rider.
The geographical diversity of Wales lets you tailor your ride to your ability. In North Wales, the jagged peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia) are home to sturdy native Welsh Cobs and mountain ponies that navigate the high-altitude trails with ease. Further south, the flat pastures of Mid Wales and the expansive coastlines of the South offer thrilling hacks of trotting, cantering and open galloping.
You don’t need expensive equestrian gear for a first trek, but the dress code is strictly enforced for your safety.
- Footwear: boots or shoes with a small, distinct heel (a Chelsea boot or Wellington). Trainers and flat-soled wellies are dangerous, they can slip through or get stuck in the stirrup.
- Trousers: seamless, stretchy leggings or jogging bottoms. Avoid jeans, the thick inner seam will chafe against the saddle.
- Helmets: don’t buy one. Every BHS-approved centre provides a professionally fitted riding hat free of charge.
1. North Wales & Snowdonia: The Rugged Mountains
If you want your ride to feel like a scene from a fantasy film, North Wales delivers. The dramatic peaks of Eryri National Park provide an awe-inspiring backdrop for a day in the saddle.
Snowdonia Riding Stables
Waunfawr, Caernarfon, LL55 4PQSituated between the peaks of Yr Wyddfa and the sea at Caernarfon, Snowdonia Riding Stables has over 30 years of experience and is approved by both the British Horse Society and the Pony Club. They specialise in native Welsh Cobs and mountain ponies, bred specifically to navigate this rocky, uneven terrain with sure-footed confidence. Expect rides into the foothills, crossing mountain streams and following old slate quarry tracks.
Terrain: mountain tracks, open moorland, stream crossings
Suitability: beginners to advanced
Pricing: introductory ride approx. £35, 1-hour countryside ride approx. £45, 2-hour viewpoint ride approx. £80, half-day mountain experience approx. £90, confirmed directly on the stable’s own current price list
Explore near Waunfawr
- Caernarfon Castle: 4 miles, UNESCO World Heritage coastal fortress
- Welsh Highland Railway: 0.5 miles, historic steam train running through the village
- Llyn Padarn: 5 miles, glacial lake popular for wild swimming
Gwydyr Stables (Gwydir Forest)
Ty Coch Farm, Penmachno, LL25 0HJIf exposed mountain ridges make you nervous, the sheltered woodland tracks of the Gwydir Forest are the perfect alternative. Established in 1973 and surrounded by National Trust and Forestry Commission land, Gwydyr Stables offers soft, leafy trails past hidden lakes and quiet forestry roads, a deeply meditative ride, well suited to nervous riders or young families. They also run genuine 2–3 day trail rides with pub stops and farmhouse B&B accommodation along the way. See our dedicated horse riding in Eryri guide for more on both stables.
Terrain: dense forestry tracks, soft woodland trails
Suitability: beginners and families, plus 2–3 day trail rides for more experienced riders
Pricing: approx. £20 for half an hour, £35 for one hour, £70 for a half day (3 hours), confirmed directly on the stable’s own current price list
2. Anglesey & the Llŷn Peninsula: Coastal Gallops
For many riders, the holy grail of equestrian tourism is a galloping beach ride through the surf. The western coastlines of Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula provide exactly that.
Anglesey Riding Centre
Tal-y-foel, Dwyran, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, LL61 6YQRight on the edge of the Menai Strait, with direct access to miles of traffic-free bridleways, the views back across the water to Eryri are genuinely unmatched. Experienced riders who can competently walk, trot and canter can take fast-paced beach rides (tide permitting), while beginners use the centre’s private grassy tracks to learn in a safe, enclosed setting with the sea air all the same.
Terrain: sandy beach, coastal headland, private tracks
Suitability: beginners to advanced; beach rides restricted to experienced riders
Pricing: approx. £65 for a 1.5-hour beach ride
Explore near Dwyran, Anglesey
- Newborough Beach: 4 miles, vast sandy beach and pine forest, toll road applies
- Anglesey Sea Zoo: 1.5 miles, marine aquarium
- Beaumaris Castle: 12 miles, moated 13th-century fortress
Cilan Riding Centre (Llŷn Peninsula)
Cilan, Abersoch, Pwllheli, LL53 7DDJust outside the seaside resort of Abersoch, Cilan offers dramatic, exposed clifftop riding. The Cilan headland gives sweeping panoramic views across Hell’s Mouth Bay into the Irish Sea, a route genuinely recognised for this view by the Wales Coast Path itself. The headland is relatively flat but wild, mixing gentle walking with long grassy stretches for a canter.
Terrain: exposed clifftop, grassy headland, country lanes
Suitability: all levels
Pricing: approx. £45 for a 1-hour headland trek
3. Mid Wales: Unspoiled Wilderness
To completely escape the crowds and ride for hours without seeing another person, the rolling green hills of Mid Wales and the Cambrian Mountains are the choice.
Trans Wales Trails (Cwmfforest)
Cwmfforest, Talgarth, Brecon, LD3 0EUOperating from a historic farm in the Black Mountains, Trans Wales Trails runs multi-day riding holidays for competent, experienced adults on their own home-bred Welsh Cobs. Alongside weekend breaks, they’re known for their flagship multi-day crossing of Wales, starting in the Black Mountains, through the Elan Valley, finishing near the coast.
Terrain: open moorland, mountain ridges, deep bogs
Suitability: strictly for experienced, fit adult riders
Pricing: contact the operator directly for current weekend and multi-day holiday rates, these vary considerably by season and route length
4. South Wales: Valleys and Heritage Coasts
The south blends accessible National Park landscapes with sweeping beaches a short drive from Cardiff.
Llangorse Multi Activity Centre
Llangorse, Brecon, LD3 7UHInside the Brecon Beacons National Park, Llangorse sits beside the largest natural lake in South Wales. Riding out, you climb the green slopes of the Beacons with views over the lake and valleys. As a multi-activity centre, it suits families where some want to ride while others try the indoor climbing wall or hire a canoe.
Terrain: National Park valleys, lakeside tracks, green hills
Suitability: families and larger groups
Pricing: approx. £40 for a 1-hour trek
Explore near Llangorse
- Llangorse Lake: 0.1 miles, boat hire and coarse fishing
- Pen y Fan: 12 miles, the highest peak in South Wales
- Brecon town: 6 miles, historic cathedral and canal walks
Ogmore Farm Riding Centre
Ogmore-by-Sea, Bridgend, CF32 0QPOn the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Ogmore is known for a genuinely unique start: crossing the flowing Ogmore River on horseback before you even reach the beach. Once across, the sandy expanse opens up, and riders are grouped by ability, experienced riders get a thundering coastal gallop, beginners a gentle paddle through the surf.
Terrain: river crossing, sand dunes, deep beach sand
Suitability: all levels, grouped by ability on the day
Pricing: approx. £65 for a 2-hour beach ride
🌲 Top Long-Distance Horse Riding Trails in Wales
Bringing your own horse? These are among the best long-distance bridleways and recognised routes to tackle independently.
| Trail name | Location | Est. distance | Scenic highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Dragon Ride | Port Talbot to Talacre | 293 miles | A BHS top-10 UK bridleway, the length of Wales coast to coast |
| The Epynt Way | Brecon Beacons | Approx. 50 miles | Wild moorland circular skirting an active military zone |
| Crychan Forest Trails | Llandovery | Up to 25 miles | Deep valleys, river crossings, purpose-built horse corrals |
| Radnor Forest Loop | Powys | Approx. 15 miles | High-altitude views of the Black Mountains |
| Rhossili & Cefn Bryn | Gower Peninsula | Approx. 10 miles | Beach galloping past the King Arthur’s Stone megalith |
| Sarn Helen | Eryri / Brecon Beacons | Varies | An exposed, ancient Roman mountain road |
| Llanthony Valley | Black Mountains | Approx. 15 miles | High ridges overlooking a ruined 12th-century priory |
5. Bringing Your Own Horse to Wales
Wales has seen a genuine rise in “Horse B&Bs” and equestrian-friendly holiday cottages built to accommodate travelling riders and their mounts tackling the trails above.
These accommodations offer self-catering cottages or glamping pods for people alongside secure stables and turnout paddocks for horses. When booking, look for properties that explicitly state “direct out-riding”, meaning you can saddle up and ride straight onto the bridleway network without crossing busy main roads first.
The Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains (specifically around Crychan Forest) have the highest concentration of these specialist properties. Bring your horse’s up-to-date passport, vaccination records and their usual hard feed.
🏕️ Plan Your Equestrian Getaway
After a day in the saddle, your muscles will need somewhere comfortable to recover:
Glamping with Hot Tubs in North Wales (the best way to soothe aching riding muscles)
Best Motorhome & Campervan Sites in Snowdonia (a cheap, mobile base camp)
The Best Beach Hotels in Wales (luxury stays near the coastal riding routes)
Frequently Asked Questions: Horse Riding in Wales
Can absolute beginners go horse riding in Wales?
Yes. The vast majority of riding centres cater specifically to complete beginners. Centres like Gwydyr Stables and Llangorse offer quiet, well-mannered horses that follow the leader at a gentle walk, with expert guides supervising throughout.
What is the best beach for horse riding in Wales?
The beaches at Ogmore-by-Sea in the south and the Menai Strait shores on Anglesey in the north are both well known. Most centres require riders to prove they can competently walk, trot and canter before joining a fast-paced beach ride.
Can I bring my own horse on holiday to Wales?
Yes. Wales has a growing network of Horse B&Bs and equestrian-friendly self-catering cottages, offering secure stabling, grazing paddocks and direct access to traffic-free bridleways like the Epynt Way, so you can explore with your own horse.
What should I wear for a horse riding trek?
Wear shoes or boots with a small, distinct heel, like Chelsea boots, to stop your foot slipping through the stirrup, and seamless, stretchy trousers like leggings to avoid chafing. You don’t need to buy a helmet, every BHS-approved centre provides one free of charge.
Are there weight limits for horse riding centres in Wales?
Yes, for the welfare of the horses. Limits typically range from 14 stone (89kg) to 16 stone (101kg) depending on the size and breed of horse. State your weight accurately when booking, as some centres weigh riders on arrival.
Pembrokeshire-born travel writer and founder of Wales.org. Born in Haverfordwest, now based in Hertfordshire — covering Welsh castles, national parks, festivals and family staycations across all 22 Welsh counties.
