Explore Alsace on horseback. This is a land of contrasts, offering stunning mountainous landscapes and a variety of trails perfect for equestrian adventures. With high-quality paths and galloping tracks, rhorseback iders can make the most of their mounts’ endurance—Purebred and Half-Arabian horses—during unforgettable long gallops. The sound of hooves echoes through high-altitude landscapes of rounded peaks, valleys, and vast forests. These well-maintained trails allow horses to express their full potential and balance while riders breathe in the sunlit scents of pine trees. The Alsatian vineyards, famed for their unmatched reputation, also form part of this journey, connecting one enchanting village to another. Villages like Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, and Kaysersberg, surrounded by vines and guarded from lofty nests by storks indifferent to human bustle, add a picturesque charm to the ride. This colourful horseback tour through Alsace leaves only one desire: to return!
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Day 1
Arrival in Ribeauvillé from 5:00 PM, a small village at the heart of the Alsatian vineyards. There is time to relax and stroll through the cobbled streets of one of France’s most beautiful villages. Dinner and overnight stay at the Hôtel du Cheval Blanc (or similar), The horses are kept in a nearby pasture.
Day 2
After breakfast, saddle up and cross the plains of the Alsatian Pinot vineyards before climbing into the Vosges Massif. The day ends in the Vallée de Villé at Albé. Horses are housed at a paddock within an equestrian centre, while riders stay at the Hôtel des Cigognes (500m away). Dinner and overnight stay. (35km riding)
Day 3
This route passes through Hohwald and stunning landscapes, including the Champ du Feu, the Obernai forests, and the Rothlach, before reaching the Wisches municipal forest. The day ends with a climb to the famous Col du Donon. Dinner and overnight stay at Hôtel du Donon. (43km riding)
Day 4
Riding between Alsace and Lorraine, this stage takes part of the Donon state forest, passes the Col du Hanz, and descends into the Vallée de la Bruche. Arrive at the Ferme du Nouveau Chemin for dinner and an overnight stay in a charming guesthouse. (40km riding)
Day 5
This mostly forested route is perfect for galloping. It includes the Col de la Hingrie and Sainte-Croix-aux-Mines before reaching Aubure. Trails narrow as the valleys become steeper and deeper. At Aubure, enjoy Marianne’s welcoming accommodations, with comfortable rooms and meals. Horses rest in the meadow. (30+km riding)
Day 6
Situated in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park, this loop follows ridge trails at over 1,000 meters of elevation. Highlights include the Col des Bagenelles, where you’ll stop for lunch, a view of Le Bonhomme, and a return through the Freland Forest. Overnight stay in Aubure. (35km riding)
Day 7
The final day offers a peaceful descent into the vineyard landscape, crossing the stunning villages of Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, and Ribeauvillé—all among the most beautiful in France. This delightful last stage concludes the journey on a high note. End of the trip around 4:00 PM. Additional Details Arrival: Sunday between 5:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Departure: Saturday after 4:30 PM. Group transfers to Colmar train station can be arranged on request. (30km riding)
Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.
Riders will use the same horse for the entire trail and the horses will be assigned on the first day. All the horses used on this trail are from the first stud to breed endurance horses in France. They are pure-bred Arabs or part-Arabs. All are forward-going, responsive and safe, and have been selected and trained specifically for endurance. The tack used is mainly endurance saddles although some comfortable trail saddles are also used.
2025: weight limit is 90kg, but heavier riders can book with prior arrangement dependent on height, fitness level and sporting ability. Younger riders from 16 years accepted if accompanied by an adult. Luggage is transported by vehicle between the overnight stops for the riders, and will be accessible at lunch times if needed.
Intermediate riders onward, able to control a horse at all paces in the open and across mountainous terrain
Maximum weight: 90kgs. Minimum age: 18yrs. Not suitable for non-riders.
The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
Three nights are spent in hotels with private bathroom, one night in a b&b with private bathroom and two nights in comfortable gites, with shared bathroom.
Breakfast and dinners are prepared by the hosts of the Gites, or at the hotels as mentioned. Please note that this is a remote region. Vegetarians can be catered for with plenty of advance notice. Catering for special food allergies or specific diets may be problematic. Please enquire when booking. Picnic lunches are prepared by the backup team and taken en route.
There is an assistance vehicle that follows with luggage, giving riders access to their personal belongings at lunch times.
Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions
From April to October Burgandy is generally warm, although it can be hot during the months of July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather). This means that day time temperatures for the region will rise from an average of 17 in mid April to 19 in May, 22 in June and 25 in mid summer. September is similar to June, whilst the temperatures really start to drop during the second half of October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days.
COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in France and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.
The emergency phone number in France is 112. If you need to contact other emergency services, call 15 (medical), 17 (police) or 18 (fire).
In France the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.
Wifi in hotels, but not whilst staying in gites. If using a GoPro please obtain the permission of the group to be filmed.
Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:
ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS
- Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
- Riding boots designed for riding and walking
- Riding gloves
- Chaps
- At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best for anything, except western riding (Jeans)
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone
Additional:
- Belt or leg bag (there are limited saddle bags available)
- Thermals in case of cold weather
- Refillable Water Bottle
Can be provided by the hosts:
- Riding hat
7d / 6n programme with 6 riding days. Available on a set departure date. The last day finished at 4pm.
2025: 3 - 9 August
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | per person sharing | 1,629 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | single supplement | 275 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | per person sharing | 1,899 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | single supplement | 319 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | per person sharing | 2,259 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | single supplement | 379 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | per person sharing | 21,519 |
| 2025 | 7d/6n | 6 | single supplement | 3,625 |
Theodore Zeldin ‘The French’,
Francoise Sagan ‘Bonjour Tristesse’,
Peter Mayle ‘A Year in Provence’ and ‘Toujours Provence’,
Louis Stevensons ‘Travels with a Donkey’ andFor the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback, visit www.thelongridersguild.com. An excellent source of equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com
Although wildlife was in decline, in the last few years a number of species have naturally returned to the area (otters, black woodpeckers, owls, vultures). Furthermore, the park has reintroduced red deers, beavers, copercaillies, mouflons and tawny and black vultures. Today, there are a total of 2,410 species (from mammal's to insects) that call the area their home.
The French wrote the book on la vie en rose and gave the world champagne and camembert, de Beauvoir and Debussy, the Tour de France and the Eiffel Tower. It is a country steeped in history. Staggering monasteries and castles dotted all over the country are a reminder of a turbulent and often violent past, especially in the Carcasonne region where the Gnostic Christian organisation the Cathars, held fast against a crusade launched in the 11th century by an angry and vengeful Catholic church for over twenty years. Despite their vow of non-violence they had a strong support base, including the Knights Templar, and their name often pops up in the legend of the Holy Grail. The French character has undoubtedly been influenced by their past, today they are a proud and patriotic people famed for enjoying the finer things in life and displaying a great generosity in their willingness to share their country with the millions of visitors they receive each year. Food is very important in French culture, almost a passion. Families eat dinner together late in the evening and their diet is usually very healthy, packed with home grown fruit and vegetables. You will hardly ever see anyone eating on the street; if you do chances are they're not French! France is one hour ahead of GMT and they use the metric weights and measures system, so kilometres and kilograms instead of miles and pounds. There is approximately 1.6 kilometres in a mile and 2.2 pounds in a kilogram. The international dialling code for France is +33.
