How to See the Brecon Beacons on Horseback

This post will explain how you can see the Brecon Beacons while horse riding. With over 600 miles of bridle paths, you could ride here all day (or week!) if you wanted – so saddle up and read on to find out more.

Taking its name from the ancient Brecon Beacon mountain range, the Brecon Beacons National Park is one of Wales’ most rugged and romantic landscapes. From waterfalls to ancient walking routes, there’s much to see here – and no better way to see it than on horseback.

Horse riding holidays on the Brecon Beacons offer you the chance to experience the park from an all-new perspective. Whether it’s your first visit to the Beacons or your twenty-first, you’ll soon see why this area has been named one of the best riding regions in Europe.

Horse riding in the Brecon Beacons for beginners

If you’ve never so much as sat on a donkey before, it’s understandable to feel nervous about finding the best horse-riding holiday in the Brecon Beacons for you. But there’s no need to worry. Almost all of the horse riding centres in the National Park offer lessons for complete beginners, where you’ll learn everything from how to approach to how to mount your horse.

Below, you’ll find a list of some of the best horse-riding holidays for beginners in the Brecon Beacons.

Beginners Horse Riding, Llangorse Multi Activity Centre

Situated nearby the glacial Llangorse lake, Llangorse Activity Centre offers horse riding sessions for complete beginners over the age of 7. If you’re just looking for a pony ride as opposed to a trekking expedition, these are available for anyone aged 4 or above.

You can choose between a half hour trek or an hour, with friendly instructors who will be on hand to provide advice throughout the session.

Learn to Ride Holidays, Freerein Riding School

If half an hour won’t quite cut it, how about this 3 day holiday from the Freerein Riding School? Suitable for complete beginners, this is an intensive introduction to the world of trekking, including catching, feeding, grooming, and tacking up your horse.

Each course accepts a maximum of 6 riders to ensure you’ll get the best attention. You’ll ride out across the Radnor Hills from the Freerein HQ, before spending the night at one of the Brecon Beacons’ many inns.

Beginners Trail Ride, Equestrian Escapes

If you’re a confident beginner who’s looking for a longer holiday, the beginner’s trail ride from Equestrian Escapes is unusual in offering a 3-day trip for those with little or no riding experience.

You’ll start with a short ability assessment to be matched with your perfect horse, before trotting out over the Beacons together. You might start this holiday as a beginner, but you certainly won’t ride home as one!

Intermediate horse-riding holidays

If you’ve got some more horse-riding experience, an intermediate holiday will give you the chance to hone your skills in one of the UK’s most breathtaking regions.

Full Day Treks, Cantref Riding Centre

Cantref Riding Centre offers horse riding and pony treks for riders of all abilities, starting from their 20-minute introductory sessions. Their full day Welsh pony trails are suitable for most, but a brief demonstration followed by a magical 5-hour ride into the heart of the national park is probably better suited to intermediate and more advanced riders.

Half and Full-Day Riding, Tregoyd Mountain Riders

Ideally suited to intermediate riders, the half or full-day sessions organised by Tregoyd Mountain Riders will take you through the trails of the Black Mountains. There are opportunities to trot and occasionally canter throughout the ride, but there’s also a riding demo and basic tuition for those who prefer to take things at a slower pace.

Experienced horse-riding holidays

For those who are already experienced riders, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to take free rein across the Brecon Beacons. These breaks can provide you with a week-long escape from the everyday, as you take in the breadth of the Beacons on horseback.

Trans Wales Horseback Trails

Ranging from half-day sessions to almost a week, Trans Wales Horseback Trails’ longer treks are perfect for confident riders. Their holidays are all-inclusive of meals, accommodation, everything you need for your horse, and even the cost of transporting your luggage from stop to stop.

For an experience you’ll never forget, its eponymous Trans Wales Trail Holiday will take you from the Black Mountains in the south-east to the Irish Sea, crossing four mountain ranges and some of the quietest paths in the country. This is strictly for experienced riders only – on the final day, you’ll ride for 26 miles to the West Wales beaches, across mostly unmarked track.

Radnor Ronda Trail, Freerein Riding School

The Radnor Ronda Trail is the Freerein Riding School’s flagship riding holiday. Taking in roughly 100 miles in 7 days, the route crosses through both Radnorshire and Brecknockshire. Although you’ll ride as part of a small group, the trek is completely self-guided, making it perfect for those who want to saddle up and go.

Hacking in The Black Mountains, Tregoyd Mountain Riders

As well as its beginner and intermediate sessions, Tregoyd Mountain Riders offers full-day hacks across the Black Mountains. These offer lots of opportunities for brisk canters on suitable tracks, so you can get up some speed and experience the Beacons as you never have before.

Whatever your ability, the Brecon Beacons is the perfect backdrop to a horse-riding holiday. We’ve included something for everyone – so whether you’re a complete beginner or expert handler, you can find the trip of a lifetime today.