Experience an unforgettable 2-day trail-riding adventure with one of our popular Loop rides, exploring the remote reaches of the National Park and beyond. These are our entry-level ‘away’ trail adventures, with one night spent away from base in a comfortable pub, B&B or hotel, while your horses stay nearby. Join us on the Hay Loop, the Builth Loop or the Llanthony Loop.
HAY LOOP
After meeting your horse and tacking up at Blaenau, we track up through country lanes to the vast open commons of the Black Mountains, where you are likely to find yourself cantering alongside wild ponies and sheep!
For lunch, we either picnic in a comfortable grassy spot, or we drop down to a quaint and ancient inn.
Our destination is the fantastic and historic town of Hay-on-Wye, famous for its countless bookshops both new and secondhand. You’ll find a warm welcome at your bed&breakfast or small inn, and your luggage will be waiting for you. The horses stay overnight on the outskirts of the town.
A full breakfast will set you up for the return leg of the journey to Blaenau through the rolling foothills of the Black Mountains, offering long stretches for canters alongside beautiful views, before descending to the farm for a well-deserved cup of tea and slice of cake.
BUILTH LOOP
Day 1. Meet your horses and fellow riders on the yard as we groom and tack up together. Once in the saddle, the ride starts along peaceful country lanes, gradually climbing to the open expanse of Llandefalle Common. Here, gently rolling grassy tracks invite exhilarating, long canters—perfect for stretching both horse and rider.
Around midday, we pause for a picnic in a serene woodland setting. Back on the trail, we traverse the common, marvelling at the breathtaking views over Pant Y Llyn lake. Perched high above Builth, this hidden gem often draws wild ponies.
The day concludes with a descent into the charming town of Builth Wells, where we’re welcomed at an exceptional bed and breakfast renowned for its gourmet cuisine and warm hospitality. It’s the perfect end to a thrilling day of exploration.
Day 2 sees us return home along a different route, and in this direction we are treated to views of the Black Mountains. Immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of the green hills, historic farmland and heather-clad moorlands. This trail offers a delightful variety of terrain, from ancient green lanes to open hill riding.
The Builth Loop is probably slightly more challenging than the Hay Loop, with longer distances to cover. If you’ve ridden already with us, you’ll be fine – if not, then you’ll need to be competent at all paces and fairly fit. Get in touch to discuss if you’ve got any doubts! We are always happy to talk about our holidays!
LLANTHONY LOOP
Day One
From Blaenau we climb straight into the high, empty heart of the Black Mountains, up towards the peak of Waun Fach. Once up top, we follow a sweeping route across the top of five remote valleys, known as ‘The Golden Horseshoe’, the landscape opening up to wide commons where there is space to let the horses move up to fifth gear under big skies! We drop down to a beautifully atmospheric ruined hamlet for lunch, before climbing again and riding on into the Honddu valley, its distinctive U-shaped form carved by ancient glaciers. The final descent brings us to the secluded Llanthony Priory Hotel, tucked beside the dramatic ruins of the 12th-century priory — a place that feels genuinely removed from the modern world.
The Priory Hotel
Our stay at Llanthony is a highlight in itself. Attached to the priory ruins, the hotel is simple, characterful and wonderfully unspoilt, with large, comfortable rooms, no Wi-Fi or phone signal, and a warm welcome. Meals are taken in the atmospheric gothic dining room or the vaulted cellar bar, serving hearty food and local Welsh ales. Deep within a designated dark skies area, the valley is extraordinarily quiet at night, and on clear evenings the stars above Llanthony are unforgettable.
Day Three
We leave the valley by climbing up onto the Black Mountains and onto the Offa’s Dyke Path, an ancient border between Wales and England. This is a simply stunning track, and you’ll feel like you are on the roof of the world! We ride over the Gospel Pass down towards Hay-on-Wye (stopping for an ice-cream if the van is parked up!) and riding back through the undulating foothills towards home. The ride back to Blaenau offers more expansive riding, long views and a final immersion in the scale and solitude of this remarkable area.
LOOPS:
2 days/ 1 night
ABILITY:
Suitable for intermediate and experienced riders
COST:
£695 per person (fully inclusive)
We can also run private Loops for groups of 6-8 – please enquire
= suits all abilities, must be competent and confident at canter.
= will suit intermediate and experienced riders.
= challenging intermediate and experienced riders.
