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Trans Wales Trails

Overview

This destination offers world-class trail riding over the Brecon Beacons and beyond. These riding holidays are set in some of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of Wales and are run by a family with over 40 years experience. They have a good reputation for offering some of the best trail rid…

Highlights

  • Fun, exhilarating riding in open country
  • Experience a Welsh Cob on its home turf
  • Breathtaking views across the mountains
  • Cosy accommodations
  • Plenty of tea and biscuits!

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 8 riders per group
  • Average of 5 - 7 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 83kg / 182 lbs / 13 stone

Description

This destination offers world-class trail riding over the Brecon Beacons and beyond. These riding holidays are set in some of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of Wales and are run by a family with over 40 years experience. They have a good reputation for offering some of the best trail riding the UK has to offer. The riding centre is situated in a hidden valley in the Brecon Beacons National Park and it breeds and breaks in fit, fine and mountain-friendly Welsh Cobs.

Their signature ride and most spectacular trip, the Trans Wales Trail, takes riders across the entire breadth of Wales. Each trip offers spectacular scenery and the companionship of a wonderfully sure-footed horse.

Guests stay in the comfortable 17th-century farmhouse with cosy log fires, home-cooked food, goose down duvets and their own spring water on tap. The farmhouse now also produces its own electricity using the natural power of the neighbouring stream. During longer trails, the nights are spent at country inns and pubs which provide a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in which to make new friends and to relax with a drink. These holidays are a wonderful choice for the competent adult rider looking to explore the stunning scenery and delights that Wales has to offer. The horses ensure a safe but exhilarating ride across some challenging terrain and will give you a memorable gallop across green fields or along the beach. Some of the best trail riding around!

Holly from Far and Ride has been to this destination so please get in touch with any questions.

Horses & Riding

Tack

You will ride in English tack, although some endurance saddles are used. Guests are encouraged to be involved in all aspects of horse care and preparation during their stay, from grooming and tacking up, to feeding and turning out at the end of the day.

Horses

You will ride native Welsh Cobs and Cob Crosses. Although cobs, these Welsh horses are not uncomfortably wide or 'ploddy' as some might think, they are compact, intelligent and most definitely not slow! They are ideally suited to the hilly terrain which includes open moorland, thick forests, picturesque mountain lanes and narrow mountain ridges and they will give you a thrilling gallop when the time is right. There is also the chance to jump logs and ditches (optional!) and to enjoy the balance and strength of these admirable horses.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • Trans Wales Trail is a trail ride

Ages

Competent teenagers aged 13+

Health

Good physical fitness is required for holidays at this destination. Riding includes strenuous hill climbs and long hours in the saddle.

Weight

83kg / 182 lbs / 13 stone

Food & Accommodation

Food

When staying at the farmhouse Paul, Emily and their family will give you a warm welcome and ensure that your stay is a fantastic mix of exciting riding, good food, and a relaxing environment. Some nights you might like to take a walk in the historic village of Talgarth, just one mile away. It is a very pleasant walk down through fields and you can enjoy a drink in a traditional pub before dinner or explore the nearby waterfalls - or simply relax beside the stream in the gardens around the house. Vegetarians and special dietary requirements can happily be catered for.

High quality products that are locally grown or ethically sourced are always used where possible. All the meat comes from Billy George, an acclaimed butcher in the nearby town (who has been mentioned in the Guardian!). Billy has an abbatoir attached to the butchers so this meat is fresh and has never known packaging. Eggs come from a local farm, fruit and vegetables come from the local farmers' market and potatoes and onions are bought from a nearby farm as well. When in season you may find raspberries, blackberries, green beans or fresh herbs on your plate which have been picked from the farmhouse garden. This destination even has its own fresh spring water on tap!

You are welcome to take wine or beer to enjoy with your evening meal.

Dinners in hotels, inns and pubs on the trails are traditional pub fare. Lunches on the trails are usually sandwiches eaten en route, but you may sometimes stop for a pub lunch (drinks at own cost).

Accommodation

Accommodation varies between the trails but is either at the farm itself (a comfortable and welcoming farmhouse) or at inviting hotels, inns and B&Bs.

Your holiday base is a tranquil little farmhouse, nestled at the foot of the Black Mountains beside a beautiful stream. This traditional Welsh Longhouse was built sometime in the 1700s and has been recently renovated to the highest standards. Guests are accommodated in comfortable stylish twin or super-king double rooms, all of which have en-suite shower rooms. There is plenty of shared space including a large lounge with a log-burner, and a garden room where guests eat breakfast and dinner each day, with a wonderful view of the setting sun.

Itineraries

Trans Wales Trail Standard accommodation.

Other Activities

Guests are encouraged to get involved in horsecare (grooming, tacking up etc) in order to build a nice relationship with their horses. Other than this and plenty of riding, the holidays are spent relaxing and socialising with new friends.

Travel

By Air:

International guests can fly into London Heathrow and a pickup service is available on Saturdays (or Sundays) at 1pm. There is an additional cost for this service - please enquire.

Other options from Heathrow are:

By coach:

Comfortable and good value coaches run regularly between London Heathrow and Chepstow - see www.nationalexpress.com. The coach takes just over 2 hours, and leaves every 2 hours from Heathrow. A return ticket costs approx £38 (but do check online). We can then arrange a transfer from Chepstow for you (about an hour's drive, for which there is an additional charge), or you could arrange your own taxi.

By rail:

Take the Heathrow Express www.heathrowexpress.com to Paddington - it takes 15 mins and costs approx £15 (depending on time of booking). Then take the train to the nearest station of Abergavenny. From London Paddington, via Newport, the journey can be as little as 2 hrs 20 minutes. See www.nationalrail.co.uk for timetables and fares. The farmhouse is a short taxi ride away from the station (about 35 minutes, £30-35) - there are usually plenty of taxis outside.

By road:

Renting a car - it's nice to have the flexibility when you are there, especially for longer stays, and the farmhouse is an easy 3 hour drive up the M4 from Heathrow. Please contact us for directions.

Testimonials

Jane C., Sept. 14, 2022

Exceeded expectations which says a lot! The horses were awesome, I rode 2 and could have bought both of them. Genuine sure footed , foreword going and didn’t need telling what to do🥰. Tack was adequate and comfortable. (Favourite memory?) Excellent horses, great weather and scenery, lovely mix of riders who could all ride and all females! Great guides.


Marie-Soleil, Oct. 28, 2019

It was amazing! Honestly the best trip of my life! The scenery was amazing. Every day once we thought we couldn't see better the trail would impress us by showing even more beautiful views. The horses were amazing, very well taken care of.


Elizabeth, Sept. 25, 2019

This was an awesome holiday, the welcome, the hospitality and organisation were super and I felt very comfortable in the accommodation. The horses were beautiful and the trail staff were very caring and professional. The food was also excellent.


Sue C., Nov. 3, 2017

Really challenging - mentally and physically - amazing experience. Would suit someone wanting to improve riding seat and jumping. (Favourite memory?) Riding across the top of mountains and the descending a thousand feet. (I had an) Excellent horse - knew her job. I did take a gel seat saver as saddles were quite old-fashioned. Paul was an excellent guide. Never having galloped across moorland and jumped ditches, I was taken by surprise on day one as there was a lot of it!! Not for the faint-hearted - still, no one came off!


Deborah W., Nov. 2, 2017

Amazing, I will remember it forever. My horse for the trail was one of the best I've ever ridden. I rode 2 others that were excellent. Tack and equipment was in good condition. (favourite memory?) Hard to choose, our first fast gallop on day one set the tone, every day was fantastic.


Matthew W., Oct. 7, 2017

Superb - beautiful trail rides right on our doorstep with just the right level of challenge. Accommodation, food and hospitality every bit as good as the riding.


Silva P., Aug. 16, 2017

The TWT was an incredible experience! Stunning scenery, comfortable accommodation and lots of fast and fun riding on fit and forward-going Welsh cobs who took us through little dips and falls and even "the bog from hell"! Would definitely recommend this ride to adventurous riders who want to experience top class trail riding!


Ruth J., Sept. 20, 2011

Beautiful location, breathtaking scenery, very relaxing. The atmosphere was friendly and you felt like a family member rather than a guest. Emily felt like a friend rather than a guide, she was an excellent rider and very encouraging. This has opened up a whole new world of opportunity and possibilities. The food was very nice and Paul did a good job with selecting the horses for us.


Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1 - Saturday

Riding: No riding.

Guests arrive after 5pm, settle in, meet the horses and get to know one another over a home-cooked dinner.

Day 2 - Sunday

Riding: 4 - 5 hours

You start with a local trail of around 12 miles, so that riders can get a feel for the horses and riding style. The group stops for lunch in a local pub, and afterwards heads up onto the mountain where the hill-riding really begins. You will then head back to Blaenau for a well-earned dinner. You are free to visit the local pub if you wish - this is approximately 1 mile from the farmhouse and we suggest you take a torch!

Days 3 to 5 - Monday to Wednesday

Riding: 5 - 7 hours

You ride in the direction of the coast. These days will see you tackle mile after mile of rolling farming country, fast open moors and high mountain commons - this is a horseman's paradise! You overnight in comfortable accommodation ranging from fairly basic rooms above a pub to the historic Caer Beris manor hotel in Builth.

Day 6 - Thursday

Riding: 6 - 8 hours

This is literally a marathon riding day - 26 miles to the sea, crossing mountains with no real trail to follow! After a refreshing paddle in the waves and a gallop on the firm sand, you and the horses will be glad of the lift home, stopping en-route for dinner at the Blue Bell Inn.

Accommodation

Three nights are spent in comfortable twin or double bedrooms in the traditional Welsh farmhouse. On the trail, you will spend each night at comfortable hotels and inns along the way.

Experience Experienced

Experienced, confident riders only please. Riders will be crossing from the Black Mountains to the Irish Sea, covering great distances, mostly off road. Riders must therefore be fit, have good stamina, and be comfortable riding at speed.

Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 8
Departure windows

April 27, 2024 - May 3, 2024

May 11, 2024 - May 17, 2024

May 25, 2024 - May 31, 2024

June 8, 2024 - June 14, 2024

June 22, 2024 - June 28, 2024

July 6, 2024 - July 12, 2024

Aug. 3, 2024 - Aug. 9, 2024

Aug. 17, 2024 - Aug. 23, 2024

Sept. 7, 2024 - Sept. 13, 2024

Sept. 21, 2024 - Sept. 27, 2024

Pricing

2024
Per person sharing
£2250 $2835 €2630
Included 6 nights accommodation in shared rooms, 5 days of riding, all meals from dinner on arrival day until breakfast on departure day & a selection of soft drinks with breakfasts and dinners at the farmhouse.
Not included Travel and transfers, personal travel insurance, alcoholic drinks with dinners (you are welcome to take your own), any drinks during meals out at pubs or in restaurants, tips & other personal expenses.

Extras

2024 - Single Supplement £50 $63 €58 per night
Paid to Far and Ride
Single supplement is not always available but can sometimes be arranged. However they do encourage guests to stay flexible, this is a very sociable holiday. There is no extra charge if you are willing to share.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.