Ireland, Galway - Clare Trail Ride
On the Galway–Clare County Trail Ride, you will experience an unforgettable journey through the authentic Irish countryside. Each day follows a new ride through lush meadows, gentle hills, tranquil lakes, and vast boglands. At lunchtime, you will enjoy a delicious picnic. The horses spend each night on fresh pastures, while you return to the riding centre to settle in for a hearty three-course dinner, followed by a restful night’s sleep. You ride for an average of around six hours per day and get to enjoy Ireland from the saddle.
The Program
Preliminary day-by-day program
Day 1 – Arrival at the guesthouse at the Riding Centre, where you will stay for 5 nights. Over the next 4 days, you will enjoy guided trail rides along new routes each day. While the horses rest on fresh pastures overnight, you are driven back to the guesthouse to enjoy a home-cooked dinner. This 80 km journey from post to post takes you through varied terrain, mixing walk, trot, and canter for a perfectly balanced ride.
Day 2 – After meeting your horse and getting to know each other through grooming and saddling, it’s time for your first ride. This starts gently with an easy half-day trail ride along the peaceful slopes of the wooded Slieve Aughty Mountains and across widespread boglands.
Day 3 – With breathtaking views over the mighty River Shannon, you will ride past traditional turf-cutting areas and hear stories about mystical Neolithic tombs and the legends surrounding the ancient monastic settlement on Holy Island.
Day 4 – The route climbs to the hills, where the landscape opens up into rolling pastures protected by winding old stone walls. The sandy shores of Lough Graney invite you to an unforgettable ride right across the calm waters of the lake.
Day 5 – Today’s ride takes you along narrow country lanes and tranquil forest tracks leading to the boggy uplands, with County Clare unfolding around you. Along the way, colourful wildflowers such as gorse, foxglove, and heather frame your journey.
Day 6 – After breakfast, it’s time to say “slán abhaile” – farewell for now – and continue on your onward journey.
We reserve the right to make any changes to the program due to local circumstances beyond our control.