Adventure horse riding holidays in Tuscany

Active Adventure

The Tuscan hills where our adventure trekking stable is based, provide one of the most fascinating and uncontaminated landscapes in all of Italy. Bordering on the Mugello region – a harsh, wild land, overlooked by the towering nearby Apennine mountains – the vineyards slope gently down towards the lush Valdisieve valley eroded by the River Sieve. The stables are bordered by centuries-old chestnut and cypress woods and "historical" terraced olive groves,relics of an ancient form of agriculture, still so much alive in the air here..

We offer keen riders a mix of different adventure trail rides in Tuscany, whether you choose a week at our world reknown wine estate riding through 700 hectares of wild landscapes and vineyards, or a week long inn to inn adventure ride through Tuscany, you can be assured of great food, wine, history and culture mixed with fantastic horseriding in an enchanting setting.


We make it our pleasure to show you as the rider what we love so much about our region, knowing too well that nobody likes to ride with a solemn faced guide. We prefer the less mechanical approach, utlitizing our home-grown knowledge and expertise on the job at hand, to give you a holdiday experience you wont forget.

Safety is always an important factor on our rides, but so is the ability to laugh, joke and tell tales about the area.

We mix good old fashioned kiwi ingenuity and world famous Italian hospitality to create trails that we love to guide, and riders love to ride!!

The Colognole Chianti Rufina Trail
This trip is based for 7 nights at the 18th century wine estate of Colognole, drink fine wine, dine on Tuscan cuisine, and enjoy the countryside on horseback. The trip consists of three full day rides and two half day rides with a free day mid week to visit nearby Florence, or Arezzo.The riding on this trip is still extremely adventurous, with river crossings, rocky ridge trails, forest tracks through areas inhabitated by wolves and wild boars, and through some of Tuscanys most dramatic landscapes.
The luxury of this trip is the accommodation, and cuisine. There is no unpacking/repacking daily, and the horses are always within walking distance.The swimming pool, tennis court, wiFi internet and wine bar are also added advantages of the Colognole trail.



The Medieval monastery trail starts with the rolling vineyards of the Chianti Rufina "wildest of all Chianti wine-making zones before carrying riders into an area full of medieval heritage sites and panoramic views.You will be treated to some of the finest medieval sites in Tuscany, including the Trebbio castle, the stunning "Madonna del Sasso" retreat, and the Monte Senario Monastery, and ride over the Fiesole florentine hills, where you will be granted a truley amazing veiw of Florence city. Riders can experience these hidden locations the way monks and pilgrims have visited them for centuries - on the back of a steady equine friend. The ride also takes in the beauty of Mugellos world famous nature, and visit both the Monte Giove national park. Highlights include river fording, canters through sensational rolling fields,and of course execellent Tuscan cuisine and some lovely locally owned lodges where in at least one you can watch the horses graze from your personal terrace after dinner.

The Florentine wine trail takes in the best wine producing countryside overlooking Florence city herself. You will be treated to canters over rolling hillsides, many of the most famous Chianti vineyards (at least four top wine producers estates), and olive groves- before travelling further into the Casentino, Mount Falterona and Campigna Forests National Parks- 36,000 hectares of protected land in the Tuscan-RomagnoloApennines.
These are some to the most ancient forests in Europe, This is an area rich in deer, wild boar, fox, owl and eagle- even the Apennine wolf.

Typical Day

"Medieval Monasteries" trail

Day1: (D) Pick up from Florence; transfer to farm and breifing. Afternoon at leasure to relax by the pool or enjoy a glass of fresh proseco wine on the terrace.

Welcome aperitif with your hosts before dinner. Dinner out on the terrace.



Day2: (B;L;D) Accustom yourself to your horse and tack and the area with a half day ride and picnic lunch full of typical Tuscan delights- taste the fruits of the vine-our local Chianti Rufina wines, with fresh ciabatta bread, local pecorino cheese, prosciutto, parma ham etc whilst we lap up the landscape “under the Tuscan sun”.



Day3: We begin the trek with a ride through the rolling Tuscan hills, crossing the stunning Sieve river, and winding up through lines of cultivated vineyards, olive groves and shaded woods. Experience a thrilling canter amongst harmonious Tuscan landscapes before lunch is served on the trail. Later, we head up to Il Bardellone to experience an astonishing view right out to Florence and Il Valdarno, before heading down to the lovely Tuscan farmhouse of the very interesting “Fillipo” for a fantastic locally produced dinner and a comfortable bed to sleep.



Day4: (B;L;D) After breakfast we ride out with early morning Tuscan sun on our backs in the direction of the stunning Trebbio castle. Riding through golden fields and forested ridges the views are truly spectacular, looking out over medieval buildings and castles in the distance. After a lunch break in a forested clearing, we head toward the mountain side nunnery of Madonna del Sasso built hundreds of years ago after sightings of the virgin Mary were reported. Riding onward we head to the nights accommodation nestled high in the Florentine hills, as we ride down to the stables, we take in a truley unique veiw of Florence in the distance, with the Duomo sitting proudly in the red twilight haze. Dinner and accommodation at "Hotel Giotto" a proud historical villa.



Day5: (B,L,D) Today we have an early start as we head off in the direction of Monte Senario to visit the world famous Monastery built in 1245 on top of a 2500ft mountain by "the seven first fathers”. This site has panoramic views in of the Mugello and Chianti Rufina regions and is very special to Roman Catholics and Florentine citizens alike. then we carry on to the Mugello region, famous for producing artists such as Giotto and inspiring works such as Dantes divine comedy.Riding past picturesque farmland where stock graze under the watchful eyes of large Maremmano sheepdogs. We ride past another ancient castle as we wind our way down to the huge Bilancino lake. Here we can swim and take lunch by the waterside, The afternoons riding is fantastic, canters through golden fields, river riding down the Sieve, where the only noise you will hear is the gentle swishing of your horses legs as they wade through the cool water.

Finally we ride up to the historical church of San Cresci, and let our horses free in a paddock next to the accommodation at Casa Morella, where Carla and Salvorio will prepare a hearty Tuscan meal with their own produce.

Before dinner we can sit back on the terrace overlooking the horses as they play and roll in their field.

Day6: (B,L,D)After meeting our trusty steads we climb in the direction of the oo trail, above the village of Vicchio where Giotto was born. Then we head on towards Monte Giove, Wild riding, through mountain trails surrounded by horse height green wild ferns, and purple wild flowers make this a fantastic final days riding. We ride to the “Croce” a cross at the top of Monte Giove, where we can look all the way out to Fiesole, and on a good day, even see the Duomo of Florence.We eat a picnic lunch together on the bank of a small lake set amongst the fields and forests of the park before riding back to Vicoferaldi via forest tracks and olive groves. Final dinner all together at Colognole !!!

Day7: Drop-off at station in the morning after breakfast


CHIANTI RUFINA & COLOGNOLE TRIP

Day 1:Pick up from Pontassieve station; transfer to farm. Welcome drink with your hosts Jess and Paolo before dinner.



Day2.Accustom yourself to your horse and tack before departing for Monte Giove. Negotiate tracks used in world war two by partisans hiding in the area, and on arrival at the cross, take in the breathtaking panoramic views that stretch over the Florentine Basin right over to Florence herself. On your return stop for a typical Tuscan lunch out on the terrace of a local rustic restaurant.



Day 3.Today you will have a half-day ride to the Roman road, hidden deep in the valley like a Mayan ruin. After negotiating forest tracks, ride through Massimos cattle farm under the watchful eye of his sleepy cows. After a canter we pass by Antonellas farmhouse, with her array of donkeys, ponies and abandoned baby deer. After passing through the valley ride to the "Spugna" popular with rock climbers and then ride up through the vineyards and terraced olive groves to the farm. Afternoon at leisure.



Day 4.Today is a free day to spend in Florence (only 20 minutes by train from Rufina). Check out the Uffizi gallery or enjoy the stunning historic city centres many beautiful shops and cafes. A return transfer is provided to and from Rufina where you can catch the train.



Day 5.Another full day ride. Start off riding through chestnut and beech forests, and then head through the lovely village of Dicomano, up through private vineyards and farmland and then through to the river Sieve. After an invigorating canter along the cornfields, cool your horse's legs (and your own if you wish) and settle down for a picnic lunch on the banks, and a lazy siesta under the shade of the trees. Return to the farm via lush vineyards, forest tracks, and olive groves.



Day 6.Today you saddle up early for an adventurous ride into the national park forestland and the Pontassive heights. Ride through the winemaking village of Rufina, and onward to the beautiful vineyards above Pontassieve. Take in the sights and smells of Tuscany, including fields of wild flowers, lakes, and the ever-present rolling landscapes typical of the area. Ride into a village called Acone, where there is a fantastic view over the surrounding landscape. From Acone wind your way down to an ancient Roman bridge and then stop for lunch amongst the vineyards. After a good Tuscan meal ride down the valley surrounded by the vineyards and olive groves, crossing the river Sieve for a long canter along the flatlands, before crossing the river again to return to base.



Day 7.Morning at leisure, if you wish a wine tasting and cellar tour at the Villa can be arranged, otherwise spend the morning relaxing at the pool with a nice book or a cappuccino. In the late afternoon you will have a final ride through the spectacular Colognole Chianti vineyards.

ay 8.Transfer to the station after breakfast.

Age range, type of group

If you love horses, the outdoors, good food, top wine, and lovely restored Tuscan accomodation than these trails are for you. A good level of fitness is required, as you may be asked to walk your horses over small sections of the trails.
We sadly cannot accept kids under 13 on the inn to inn trails due to insurance purposes.

Sleeping and meals

The Colognole wine estate has been in the same family for 5 generations.The estate covers 700 hectares of land in the heart of the Docg Chianti Rufina growing area, the smallest and oldest within the Chianti area, about 25 Km east of Florence.

We believe that most people would rather add a day or two to their trip, and stay in nice accommodations when possible, rather than return home feeling as if they had been on a forced horseback march, and the accommodations we use reflect this. Whether you choose a week long trek staying at different spots each night, or prefer to stay onsite exploring the direct area, you are guaranteed comfort and a hot shower.

Our accomodation is located in a very unique wine making zone above Rufina between Dicomano and Monte Giove summit. We are situated right between vineyards and the monte giove national park. At night you will hear fallow deer barks, owls hooting and will occasionally see a pair of friendly porcupines who frequent the area.
The old farmhouses of the estate have been completely restructured over the past few years, the rooms retain an elegant, country style, and are heated so that they are still comfortable even during the cold winter months, when the Tuscan countryside loses its bright colours but not its charm, thanks above all to the evergreen olives and cypresses.
The proximity of the Apennine mountain chain makes the landscape more forceful and wild, and the summer heat more bearable, thanks to those light breezes that come down from the mountains even on the hottest of days. All rooms have use of the swimming pool and enjoy a splendid view over Valdisieve, where the hills slope gently down to the river, alternating between vineyards, olive groves, fields of wheat and sunflower, deciduous forests, century old oaks and rows of cypress trees.


On the trail accommodations range from local farmhouses only occasionally with shared bathrooms to Hotels- generally we try to stick with farmhouses, where riders can get to know the locals who run them, but occassionally we will use smaller boutique hotels too.
Meals are based on local ingredients and traditions. In Italy there is a special emphasis on "la Cucina" and this is evident in our meals, which are accompanied by the local top quality Tuscan wines.Meals are generally typical Tuscan cuisine, and breakfast is Italian Continental.
Those with special dietry requirements can also be catered for if
notice is given.

Restrictions

Riders must be "Riding fit" for these trails, novices can be catered for if they are fit, on the Colognole trail, as we have the possibilty of one on one lessons. Inn to Inn Trails require at least intermediate riding ability.One of the greatest benefits that you will enjoy when you choose a Chianti Trails horseback ride is the intimate, exclusive experience.A smaller group means more personal attention, more privacy and more individual space. You won’t get lost in a crowd with us; group size is limited to 7 enthusiastic riders per ride.

Rates

One nights accommodation and one full day ride 170 euro

Mini Break of 3 nights with riding and all meals 500 euro

Inn to Inn Adventure Trail (7 days) for experienced riders 1200 euro.

Onsite week of adventure riding at Colognole wine estate (8 days) 1100

Other Information

Non riders are welcome too, the area is rich in wildlife, and Florence is only 25 km (20 mins by train).

Discounts Offered

July Specials

4-11 Only 850 per person for 7 nights accommodation and riding on our Colognole based Chianti Rufina Trail (half week 450 euro)

11-18 July. 900 per person Chianti Rufina Trail
(half week 450 euro)

25-01 July/August 900 euro per person

08-15 August 900 euro per person