The following is a tried and tested formula for our Riding Holidays, with a guaranteed minimum of 15 hours riding over 5 days. We are also happy to put together a tailor-made programme to suit the individual or group. To enjoy this holiday you need to be riding fit and confident to canter in groups.

Wild Life is abundant and at various times you may see hoopoes or griffin vultures and sometimes eagles soar overhead. There are partridge strutting around and sometimes a mongoose or wild boar crosses the track. Swallows nest in the stables and at certain times love to dive bomb horses and riders! The only time you will ride on tarmac is over the dam wall and crossing the road in Bensafrim.

Day One - Arrive at Faro airport. Transport available to QPA but we do suggest car hire which is inexpensive and allows you time to look around when not riding. Plenty of time to look around, meet the horses and dogs, have a swim or stroll around the valley.

Day Two - In the morning we ride up into the hills through the wonderful scented eucalyptus woods, emerging at the top by the old windmill from where you have the most stunning 360º view, south over Lagos to the sea, west to the village of Bensafrim and north and east over endless hills. Continuing up and down through the hills you finally descend to the valley, riding through the backyard of an old tumbledown farmhouse only vacated after the 2003 fires, before QPA appears over the hill. In the afternoon, choose between a lesson in the ‘picadeiro’ if you want a bit of ‘brushing up’ or a ride down Mad Valley. This is a long winding roller coaster of a track. Where the horses and riders enjoy a good canter. We return along the winding contour tracks cleared years ago for the planting of the umbrella pines.

Day Three - We take a leisurely 2-hour ride through quite different countryside. It’s a fast ride with plenty of tracks for trotting and ‘blasts’ up the hills. We pass through Palm Tree Farm, a range of deserted buildings dominated by a lone Palm tree and surrounded by almond trees (see the confetti like blossom in spring!) and fig trees (pick your own!).

Day Four - Restaurant Ride day. We take the stunning ride up to the dam (Barragem) and ride along the water’s edge, over the dam wall (hopefully no vertigo!) before lunch in the friendly restaurant overlooking the water. The horses munch in the shade of the pine trees while riders enjoy a cool drink and the dish of the day. The ride there is approx. 3 hours leaving a shorter trip home.

Day Five - Rest day. A day for you to discover the many delights of Lagos, a trip to the hills of Monchique or to ‘worlds end’ at Cape St Vincent.

Day Six - Westward Ho! day. Approx. 4 hours through the National Forest to the dramatic West Coast. Apart from crossing the main road in Bensafrim you are unlikely to see or be seen by anyone until you emerge at the coast – don’t worry your guides do know the way! A light lunch followed by plenty of time to ride on the beach. Horses and riders stay in Carrapateira for the night. Although out of the way there are several good restaurants worth visiting with the freshest of fish on the menu.

Day Seven - We have to make our way back to Bensafrim and QPA...! The countryside is different yet again, this time mostly giant cork oaks shading the tracks. The horses are always in a hurry to get home but are quite used to stopping for a refreshing drink on the way through the village.
Accommodation is at the Quinta unless fully booked when we can arrange rooms nearby. Breakfast and light lunch are included. You have free access to the pool and satellite TV. Non riding partners are welcome.
Riding with accommodation
€850 / week
Riding with own accommodation
€500 / week
Non Riders
accommodation only
€460 / week
For bookings or more information please click here.
Bensafrim, 8600 Lagos, Algarve, Portugal
Tel: 282 687263 / 282 687596 / 282 789801
Fax: 282 687507 / 282 788307
 qpahorseriding@gmail.com

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APPROVED RIDING CENTRE