Ride itinerary - Horses, tack & riding experience
Guides - Accomodation - Dates & rates - Book this ride

Day 1
Reception to our riding farm in the afternoon (If necessary, reception at the railway station of Bretenoux).
Dinner and night in guesthouse.

Day 2
Set off to the “Wonderland” through the “ruisseau d’Orgues Valley”, a deep break between 2 plateaus : a real delight before the discover of the Dordogne Valley near Bretenoux. Stop in Bretenoux in guest house.

Day 3
Bretenoux, an old french “Bastide” remind us of its medieval past, before assaulting Castelnau fortress (10th to 15th centuries) with its sanguine coloured stone set on a green pedestal. We cross 2 scenic villages: Autoire and Loubressac before stopping near Padirac cave, in guesthouse farm.

Day 4
After the visit of Padirac cave, the way leads us to Rocamadour for the picnic lunch.
After the visit of this typical village, through the ‘Ouysse Valley”, we ride towards Lacave. Stop in hotel or guesthouse.

Day 5
We cross the river Dordogne in Meyronne and then we climb through the “Causse”, this limestone plateau towards Martel, old fortified town, capital of “ Turenne Viscounty”.
The way leads us to the “Moulin de Murel”, a delightful place! At the end of the afternoon, we discover Turenne, dominated by the ruins of its fortified castle and overlooking the “Tourmente Valley” . Overnight in bungalows to “La Gironie Village”.

Day 6
Beyond Ligneyrac, we discover Collonges la Rouge, built in crinsom sandstone and listed by the “Beaux Arts”, which has kept medieval style. Riding through local vineyards, we ride up to Curemonte, picturesque village set high up on a knoll with steep slopes, dominated by the castle (15th century). We follow the old roman way and arrive in Beaulieu sur Dordogne. Overnight in hotel. 

Day 7
In the morning, we visit the town , its typical houses, its church abbey with its sculpted tympanum and the banks of the Dordogne river. We cross the river on a narrow bridge and climb to the plateau of Reygades and Mercoeur.  Some galops allow us to ride towards the riding farm. (Last night in guest house bedrooms on place.)

Day 8
Last day, end of the trip after breakfast . Transfer to train station if necessary (at extra cost).

Important : The route is communicated as a rough guide and can be modified without advance notice for safety reasons, of meteorology or accessibility. However, we shall make all the necessary efforts to preserve the interest of the route if modifications must be brought.

Horses

You'll have the choice between 12 horses especialized in trails. 90% of our horse were born at our farm, this gives you the guarantee to have a nice, well-minded, sure foot, and adapted horse. All are issued of Barbe-Arab crossings.

Tack

We use trail saddles (type H. Petel, classic trail saddles). Saddlebags are provided.

Riding experience

To join this trail, you have to be comfortable at all paces. It's important you can easily canter or gallop on horseback in a group. You 'll ride 5 to 7 hours a day (30 to 35 km). This trail is dynamic when possible. There is some difficulties on this trail, but your horse assure you a safety expedition.

Minimum age : 18 years old.
Young people under 18 years old are not allowed on our trail. If the children speakes a correct french, we will be able to suggest him a special teenager departure. Contact us for any information.
Maximum weight : 100 kg

Non riders are welcome on this trail if they are autonomous. We can suggest them to follow the trail by foot, by mountain bike, or with the support vehicle or their own car.

The ride is supervised by a Equestrian Tourism Guide (French ATE or GTE). He perfectly knows the region and will be happy to share their knowledge with you.   A support vehicle will move all lugage from accommodation to accommodation, and will join you for picnic lunches. Sometimes, it's possible you leave in the morning with the picnic in your saddlebags.

Accommodation

During this trail, the 7 nights are planned in guesthouse. Double, twin or single rooms with private or sharing bathroom depending the nights.
You have to possibility to book a single room for 6 nights only, depending to guesthouses availabilities. To be book and pay before departure.

Meals

The most part of time, our support vehicule will join you for the picnic lunch with a great variety of food. Otherwise, you'll carry the picnic in your saddlebags. The dinner will be served to the guesthouse. A particular attention is given to the variety of food, and the use of local products to prepare meals.
Water and 1/4l of wine are included during lunch time.

Single room supplement: 126 €
This supplement does not apply if you are prepared for sharing, even if we do not find another rider for sharing your accomodation. Thanks to precise us your choice at booking time.

- Trail ride as described on full board basis (sharing room),
- drinks : water and 1/4l wine per meal,
- Total and unlimited financial guarantee (APS) of all payments made to us (see "why ride with us ?"),
- Protection of the French Law for travel consumers who book through French travel agencies (see "why ride with us ?").

- transport to the meeting point,
- non included drinks,
- transfers from and to Bretenoux train station (30 € per person return to pay directly), or Brive Train station (80 € per person return to pay directly),
- any other service or optional visit entries, personal expenses,
- tips,
- a tour to discover other regions of France before or after the trail (castle life, golf training, thalassotherapy spas...), see our "after ride proposals".
- optional insurances.

6 to 12 riders.

We could guarantee the departure with less than 6 riders, but the accomodation will be at the riding centre in that case (and horses will stay at the stopping place).

The meeting point is given directly to the riding center. If you arrive by train, we can organize you extra transfers from Bretenoux or Brive train stations at extra cost. In that case, please plan to arrive to the station on day 1 in the afternoon and to leave on day 8 after 10.00am.

This part of France enjoys an oceanic climate, with quite hot summers (25°C) but usually windy days. But evenings can be fresh, so don't forget your hot sweater.