Riding at QPA

Sunday

Arrive at Faro airport where we will be waiting to take you to QPA. Settle in, admire the view, meet the horses, have a swim or a stroll around 'Paradise Valley'.

Monday -The Windmill Ride

Monday morning we ride up into the hills through the wonderful smelling eucalyptus woods, emerging at the top to be greeted by the most amazing views. This is where everyone always goes ooh or ahh. From here you can look out to the sea and Lagos, over the village of Bensafrim with its huge church and northwards over hills and more hills. At the highest point on this ride is an old windmill, but with no arms left, it looks more like a look-out post.

From the windmill the stunning views continue as you ride through the hills and finally descend to the valley, riding home through the back yard of an old tumbledown farm, still occupied by an elderly couple, their donkey, goats and sheep, before returning to QPA.

Monday afternoon, choose between a lesson in the picadeiro or a ride down Mad Valley, a long winding roller coaster of a track, where the horses and riders enjoy a good canter. We return along the winding contour tracks made years ago for clearing the hillsides, which are now planted with umbrella pines, grown for their pine kernels.

On any of the rides you may see hoopoe and griffin vultures and sometimes eagles soaring overhead. There are always lots of rabbits and partridges and sometimes a mongoose and the odd wild boar. Swallows are much in evidence as well, they love to dive bomb horses and riders along the way. They also nest and raise their young in the stables with no fear of the horses.

Tuesday - The Palm Tree Farm Ride

On Tuesday morning we take a lovely 2 hour ride through quite different countryside to the previous day, although we might return through Mad Valley in reverse. It's quite a fast ride with plenty of room for long trots and a good blast up the hills. Palm Tree Farm is surrounded by almond trees (they are amazing when in flower in early spring, like confetti on a windy day) and fig trees, (pick your own in September). The farm is being set up as a major vineyard but is still dominated by its solitary palm tree.

Wednesday - The Restaurant Ride

This ride takes in different countryside yet again, skirting the edge of the Palm Tree Farm, with lots of great hills. Your first sight of the barragem (dam) is quite breathtaking, the track takes you right down to the waters edge before heading off again toward the restaurant. This is the first time you will ride on tarmac, well for about 300m that is, or a little more if you would like to ride over the dam wall, which is quite a dramatic experience. At the Barragem restaurant the horses rest under some lovely shady pine trees with buckets of food and water, while we riders head for the bar for a cool drink and a hearty Portuguese dish of the day, or healthy salad.

Thursday - Take it easy!

Rest day for horses and riders! Relax by the pool, take a walk, spend a day at the beach or exploring the sights of Lagos.

Friday - Westward Ho!

A 4 hour ride westwards through the National Forest, over the Serra do Espinhaço de Câo, the Spine of the Dog, to the dramatic Atlantic coast. A blast on the beach followed by a leisurely lunch at a local farmhouse. Horses and riders stay the night by the sea at Carrapateira. There are plenty of good local restaurants, including a great beach restaurant O Sitio do Rio which is well worth a visit.

Saturday - Mountains and Valleys

Three hours back to Bensafrim and QPA, through some of the most spectacular scenery of the whole week. Over pine clad hills, through quiet valleys where the horses can drink from the mountain springs, shaded by eucalyptus and cork oak. It's a dramatic landscape, without roads, or farms, or any kind of habitation. So it's a surprise if you meet anyone on route.

Sunday - Homeward bound

Say goodbye to all your new friends, both two and four legged and off to the airport.