A five-day horseback riding holiday in three distinct regions in Oregon Valley covering vineyards, mountain forests and Pacific Coast beaches. Ride through the lush fertile vineyards, traversing rugged pine clad mountains, with a chance for faster horseback riding along beautiful golden beaches in small, intimate groups. Horseback riders need to be experienced as there are some long trots and canters that will suit those with recent riding fitness.
There is a temperate Mediterranean feel to the weather, with dry cloudless summers, cool evenings and low humidity, perfect for horseback riding as well as the grapes! The horses are well trained and English saddles are used. Accommodation along the way is a mix of cosy guest houses. Fresh local and often gourmet meals are provided and two vineyard trips are also included.
Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.
Review received from TN of Hellerup on 02/03/2022
Example of Itinerary - details and accommodation may change.
Day 1
Arrive at Portland Airport and take an UBER or FLYT car to Mc Minnivile to check in at the Tuscan Estate B&B (or similar) by +/- 3pm. There will be a briefing at the B&B, or at the stables on day 2.
Day 2
Ride the vineyard land and rolling hills of the picturesque farmland of the Willamette Valley and enjoy tasting the delicious fruits and labors of local winemakers. Overnight and welcome dinner at the B&B.
Day 3
Leave Tuscan and drive to the coastal range forest (horses are trailered). Ride in the Coastal Range Mountains, these mountains are both rugged and mellow, with groves of deciduous trees along the clear waters of the Nestucca River and towering Douglas Firs, this is Oregon's old-growth and working forest, the Coast Range mountains are in the world's largest temperate rainforest. Overnight accommodation is close to the beach for the next two nights (dinner included)
Day 4
Today is spent riding and relaxing at Neskowin Beach. Dinner is not included tonight, and riders can explore some of the excellent local restaurants. Enjoy the sunset from the deck of the condo and maybe an evening walk on the beach.
Day 5
The last day of riding is a mixture of beach riding, sand dunes and estuary, and a gorgeous State Park. The perfect way to end the journey. Spend the final night at the Neskowin Beach House ith a delicious farewell dinner with fellow riders, re-liviung the adventures of the last few days.
Day 6
Check out of the accommodation and transfer to Portland Airport.
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.
There is a wide variety of horses, they vary from Irish Connemara ponies, Connemara cross, Mustang, Belgian cross, Thoroughbred, Draft cross, Fresian cross, Halflinger and Sporthorses. All are ridden in English saddles and are well trained excellent trail horses. The riding is in three distinct areas, rolling vineyards, mountain ranges and Pacific Coast beaches.
Rides marked 'for advanced riders only' may included younger and/or more lively horses, and different horses may be used throughout the week, meaning riders should be prepared to ride a number of horses. These dates are more exploratory in nature, trying out new routes with longer days, trickier ground to cover and the potential for faster riding and jumps when the opportunity arises.
This ride is suitable for strong intermediate to advanced level riders capable of walk, trot, canter and gallop on a variety of footings, in and out of an arena and be comfortable in the saddle for five hours at a time. Riders should be capable of riding in two-point position (standing canter/gallop to keep the weight off the horses back while remaining balanced). Riders need to have some recent riding and have at least five years experience. Please be in good physical condition/fitness. Riders may have to dismount on the trail, assistance to re-mount is available but being able to mount unaided is preferable. The upper age limit is a strong and fit 75. Riders should be able to and willing to canter down the beach!.
The weight limit for this ride is 225 lb/102 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
Accommodation is in small Inns, Bed and Breakfasts and rental condos, or homes at the beach - all with generous hospitality with a great feel for the Pacific Northwest. Bedrooms have double beds (in some rooms a pullout is also available), so if two people want to share and not share a double bed, they will have to have a triple room with an extra bed, supplement for the additional bed applies, please enquire for more details (triple rooms are subject to availability).
The meals are fresh, often gourmet, and two wine tastings are included in the holiday as are picnic lunches. Alcoholic drinks are not included.
Vegetarians, pescatarians and gluten free diets are catered for, vegans are more difficult and should check before booking that their requirements can be met.
Suggested accommodation for the night before the ride:
Tuscan Estate B&B - this is you will stay the first two nights of the ride, a very nice B&B walking distance to the town.
McMinnville Vineyard Inn (similar to a Quality Inn), clean and affordable.
McMennimans Hotel Oregon is a historic hotel right in downtown, funky and cool vibe, inexpensive, but small rooms, some have a shared hallway bathroom, often the private bigger rooms get booked far in advance.
Third Street Flats are nice flats downtown, each flat comes with local bottle of pinot and handmade chocolates.
Transfers from any of these can be arranged for the morning of Day 1.
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 You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor. You should consult the US State Department website to determine which you will need. You should be aware that if you have travelled to or have been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen on or after 1 March 2011, you are normally not eligible for an ESTA visa waiver and will need to apply for a US visa. Passport and Visa requirements can change from year to year 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/usa In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
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
Temperate rainforest. Mediterranean type climate with dry hot summers, cooler evenings. Season is May to October, with May and June having fresh spring-like weather and chance of showers but it is definitely greener in May and June. July, August and September can be hotter, in the 90's during the day but still cool at night. Autumn comes in September to October and October can be showery.
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COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.
You should always bring any regular prescription drugs you may need with you.
BE AWARE: There are restrictions and prohibitions on the import of certain prescription drugs into the US. The USA Food and Drug Administration website contains further information and advice on bringing medicines into the USA.
Medical treatment is expensive and there are no special arrangements for British visitors. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
You should take suitable steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and ticks. There are occasional outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases.
Health authorities have classified the USA as having a risk of Zika virus transmission in Florida and a few parts of Texas
You can contact the emergency services by calling 911.
Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in the USA and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.
No specific health requirements.
In the USA the supply voltage is 120V. If the appliance or its power supply are not dual voltage rated, the single voltage appliance will have to be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly (unless the appliance operates at 120V).
Batteries need to be bought beforehand but possible to charge phone and cameras in the evenings with suitable adaptors. If using a GoPro please ensure you have 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
- Long sleeved shirts
- Lightweight waterproof
- Water bottle
- Mobile phone
- Provided by the hosts:
- Small saddlebags for food and water are provided
- Warm clothing, it can be cool in the mountains
6 days/5 nights/4 days riding on set dates, up to 5 hrs riding per day, groups on request.
2025: 11 (Full), 25 (Full) May; 8, 22, 29 Jun; 13 (full), 27 (Full) Jul; 3, 31 Aug; 14, 28 Sept; 5 Oct
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | £ | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 2,799 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | single supplement | 965 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | € | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 3,365 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | single supplement | 1,159 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | US $ | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 3,769 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | single supplement | 1,299 |
| No of days/nights |
Riding days | Product item description | SEK | |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | double pp | 37,385 |
| 2025 | 6d/5n | 4 | single supplement | 12,889 |
Oregon-Trail-Oxford-Worlds-Classics by Francis Parkman Jr
Explorers-Guide-Oregon-Wine-Country by Sherry L Moore, Jeff Welsch
E. Annie Proulx’s three books of Wyoming short stories (“Close Range”, “Bad Dirt”, “Fine just the way it is”)
Mary O’Hara’s “Flicka” triology.
The Virginian” by Owen Wister (a classic one) and
Zane Grey’s Western novels.
C.J. Box (i.e. “Open Season”) and
Craig Johnson (i.e. “The Cold Dish”).
Cowboy poet Baxter Black
“Where Rivers change Direction”, a memoir by Mark Spragg about life on an early dude ranch.
“Where the Rivers Run North” by Sam Morton, a historical novel.
“The Meadow” by James Galwin.
Lone Star: A History Of Texas And The Texans by by T. Fehrenbach
Discovering Natural Horsemanship: A Beginner's Odyssey by Tom Moates.
.Monty Roberts books, particularly ‘The Horse Whisperer’
Notes From A Big Country by Bill Bryson and
Travels With Charley by John Steinbeck.
For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com
Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com
Seals at the beach, bald eagles and sometimes elk in the mountains and forests.
Fast riding through three distinct regions of mountain forest, beach and vineyards for fit intermediate to advanced riders. Suitable for non riding partners who can hire a car.
The USA has 4 main times zones - Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST) and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Vermont is on EST, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah are all on MST, California is on PST. Weights and measures are imperial although weight is always expressed in pounds, not stone. The US gallon is 3.8 litres in contrast to an imperial gallon which is 4.2 litres. Mobile telephone: 4G and 5G is widely available throughout the US in cities, towns, villages and along main highways with AT&T having the best overall coverage and T-mobile offering better speeds in cities. There is NO cell reception at the ranch, but there is WiFi in our saloon and office. There are still a few rural areas which have the older CDMA telephone networks. To be able to call from these areas we recommend buying a cheap Verizon phone from eg Walmart (from $13) and topping up with credit. Almost all hotels and airports offer free wifi connection.
