In Aquitaine, the chance for fantastic outdoor experiences is not just good – it’s great! The Atlantic is overwhelming on its own and who doesn’t want to stretch out in a gallop along white beaches ... But the hinterland is also perfect for riding with its soft sandy paths, vineyards and pine forests. Michel and his team have organized three different trail rides designed for experienced riders.

The most popular ride is the Silver Coast Trail Ride. This is a fast-paced trail ride where the horses are left in pastures along the road overnight while you are driven "home" to the guesthouse each evening. It begins with a long test ride to make sure you feel comfortable with your horse. After that, there is a six-day trail ride of up to 35 km a day and 5-6 hours in the saddle each day, so it is important that you are in good shape. The soft sand roads in the woods invite you to gallop, but you will also face tougher and more challenging terrain, not to mention the open flat beaches.

The ride ends in the best way possible, with a half-day on the spectacular beach. Wow!

You can also choose a Pays Basque Country option which also include the beach.

Feedback from our travellers

"It was an ambitious and fun program with a lot of variety. It was also tailored to the horses' abilities and well-being, which is an important part of the overall riding experience. Our riding guide was also excellent.
All the horses were strong, enduring, reliable, and got along relatively well with each other.
This is probably one of the best riding trips I've had with HorseXplore. Besides the quality of the horses, the accommodations, and the absolutely fantastic riding environments, the participants were extremely friendly. We had a great time together.
HorseXplore – great and fast service as always. I'm already dreaming of my next adventure."
Marion Gullstrand

"The accommodation was nice and spacious. There was a large pool and plenty of seating areas outside. Comfortable beds. The horses were very fine and well-cared-for. Probably the best horses I've had in my 11 riding trips. I requested a gentle Holiday Horse, and that's exactly what I got. Those who wanted more spirited horses received them as well.
The guides we had were helpful, attentive, and had great confidence in everyone's abilities. I felt safe the entire time.
Some highlights were absolute ten out of ten, like the beach rides and the lunches.
Something fun was that there was a photographer around several times capturing us in a gallop, both in the forest and on the beach."
Anette Wennesjö

Accommodation and Food

Perigord and Beach Combo: You will spend the first 4 nights at a very nice manor house in Bonaguil before you are driven to the Atlantic coast to spend the last three nights in a gite near the equestrian center. Bedrooms for Single, Double, Double Twin, and shared bedroom from 3 to 5 beds.

Basque Country and Beach Combo: You will spend the first 4 nights at variety of 2 and 3 star hotels and gites before you are driven to the Atlantic Coast, where you will spend the last 3 nights in a gite near the equestrian center. Bedrooms for Single, Double, Double Twin, and shared bedroom from 3 to 5 beds. Single bedroom or Double twin are available everywhere with the exception of the Mountain Guest House the second night.

Silver Coast Trail Ride
The accommodation is in bed rooms 3-6 people or in double- or twin room with private bathrooms at a charming guest house with a big swimmingpool at the riding center and approximately 5 km (3 miles) from the beach.

Single room: It is possible to book singleroom (except Mountain lodge 2nd day on Basque Trail). Single supplement will be added if there is no one to share a room with.

A/C: No
Hair Dryer: Yes
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: Yes

Food is an important part of the experience and will include a dinner of local specialties. Lunch on the trail ride days are substantial meals served sitting at a table: French aperitif and appetizers, Bordeaux red wine, soup or salad (weather dependent), chicken or meat and vegetables, French cheeses, dessert and coffee or tea.

Horses

There are 35 horses, the majority elegant long distance horses with lot´s of blood. But there are a few french trotters also that can carry heavier riders. Every year a couple of foals are brought up. You ride in english saddles and all horses have saddlebags.
Maximum weight of riders on Silver Coast Trail: 95kg
Maximum weight of riders on Pays Basque and Beach Combo: 85kg

Travel Information

Ability description: Trail Ride Level 3 >>

Included in the price:
Silver Coast Trail Ride: 7 nights accommodation, 6 days riding, full board (except fo 1 lunch on Monday), wine or soft drinks with meals (1 glass of wine is included with dinners taken at restaurants).

Perigord and Beach Combo or Basque Country and Beach Combo: 7 nights accommodation, 6 days riding, full board including wine or soft drinks with meals (2 glasses of wine or 2 Soda, tea or coffee are included with dinner in restaurant or hotel, dinner on the first evening in not included).

Not included: Flights, transfers, insurance, drinks and extras other than what is mentioned in the program.

Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
Fly to Bordeaux (about 1 hour 40 minutes from the Equestrian Centre).

Transfer: Book in advance with HorseXplore and pay on spot.
For the Silver Coast Trail Ride, minimum 2 people.
Price: 100 EUR/person/return.
Meeting Time: At 4.00 pm at Bordeaux airport, hall A at information desk" or Bordeaux trainstation at 5.00 pm on the day of arrival, and on departure day they plan to be back at the airport around 10.00 am and 11.00 at the trainstation. So book a departure flight after 12.30 .

Perigord and Beach Combo and the Pays Basque and Beach Combo: Transfer time is 2.00 pm from Bordeaux airport hall A at Information desk. Book a return flight after 1.00 pm.
Price: 100 EUR/person/return.

Seasons: Low Season: from February to April, October-November.
Mid Season: May, June, September.
High Season: from July to August.

Riding: Outdoor rides and day rides. Riders must be confident and experienced riding in an English saddle at all paces, including full gallop, and be able to leave the group and return with good control on the beach. Riders must be fit and confident, able to ride long hours over varied and sometimes challenging terrain.

Single room: Can be booked with a supplement. For price click on ”Book on request” under Dates & prices.
If you are willing to share room, you will not have to pay a supplement if you are allocated a single room on the Perigord and Beach Combo and the Pays Basque and Beach Combo. On the Silver Coast Trail Ride a singel room supplement apply if there is no one to share with.

Currency: Euro
Credit card: Not accepted at riding center.
Tipping: Not required but appreciated, about 20 EUR.

Wifi: Yes

Group size: Min. 4 and max. 10 riders on Silver Coast trail and min. 4 and max 9 riders on Perigord and Basque trails. The trails run with min. 3 riders with a supplement.

Age limit: 13 years. Adults only on Perigord and Pays Basque rides.

Closest village: About 1 km.
Beach: 5 km away.
Pool: Yes

Misc.:
Riding equipment to borrow: Helmet, chaps.
Saddle bag available: Yes
Special diet: Inform when booking. They offer special meals for Vegetarians, Gluten free ; but not Vegan
Safe deposit box: No

France, Aquitaine - Silver Coast Trail Ride

The Silver Coast Trail Ride begins with a long test ride to make sure you are confortable with your horse. There then follows a six-day trail ride of up to 35 km and 5 hours in the saddle each day, so it is important that you are in good shape. This is a fast-paced trail ride where the horses are le...

8 days From EUR 1,349 Read more

France, Aquitaine - Perigord and Beach Combo

This route offers the chance to experience the Aquitaine region’s rich history and passes through walled cities and fortified castles. Riding through the beautiful valleys takes you through a magnificent forest, which was a refuge for locals during the One Hundred Years War. The last days of the rid...

8 days From EUR 1,759 Read more

France, Aquitaine - Pays Basque and Beach Combo

This is an exciting ride where you get to experience an unspoiled wilderness on a beautiful Anglo-Arab. You will ride in a wide variety of terrain, often rugged, but the horses are sure-footed and will take you safely down from the high peaks into the deep wild valleys where eagles and vultures soar...

8 days From EUR 1,659 Read more

France, Aquitaine

Feedback from our travellers

Accommodation and Food

Horses

Climate

Travel Information