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Horse riding holidays in Portugal at QPA

SPECIAL WEST COAST RIDE

A chance to explore the amazing variety of scenery in this largely unknown part of the Western Algarve. The ride is limited to 4 riders minimum, 6 riders maximum. All riding is in the carefully protected National Park of Costa Vincentina: a wonderfully natural and unspoiled park brimming with wild life.

Day One

Arrival Day. We will arrange your collection from the airport and transport to the Quinta where you will stay for the night after enjoying a barbeque round the swimming pool. If you arrive in time, you can check out the horses and discuss which will be the most suited to you

Day Two

After a good breakfast, horses will be allocated and prepared (with your help) and by mid morning you will be setting off westwards. The only tarmac you will see this day will be to cross the road in the village of Bensafrim. This day will be ridden through cork forests, almond and olive trees just coming into bloom. Picnic lunch will be at the high point before you start down towards sea level. You will now see lots of ‘medronho’ trees (the main ingredient for a lethal aperitif!) Your destination is the beautiful property, Herdade de Beicudo, the home of Deborah and Henrique Ferra. The farm is just three Kms inland from the coast at Carrapateira. Both you and the horses will enjoy their hospitality for the night Evening meal will be in the village of Carrapateira at a Restaurant of your choice (cost not included). Approx 3 hours riding.

Day Three

Deborah will provide a tasty breakfast before tacking up and setting of for the coastline.
Today you will ride down along the open cliff tops in the direction of Sagres. Your destination is the market square at the village of Vila do Bispo returning along the clifftops to Beicudo. You and the horses will spend another night together again and enjoy Henrique’s famous paella.. 5 hours riding

Day Four

Another quick breakfast and then we set off north. This ride will start along the beach for a gallop and then through the dunes and up onto the hilltop. Lunch will be a picnic in the woods before reaching the rustic stables of our friend Gudrun who offers riding to the tourists. The horses will stay at her stables in the hills above the famous surf beach of Arrifana, You will all head down to the historic town of Aljezur where we have arranged comfortable accommodation with a choice of restaurants within walking distance. If you have the energy there are lots of sites to be seen in the town! 4 hours riding

Day Five

Breakfast will be in the local café before returning to Gudruns stables to collect the horses who will have hopefully behaved themselves! With a little help from Gudrun we set off southwards again through some big hills and dales before crossing back over to our side of the tarmac.. Past lots of wind turbines and then down into the valley towards Pincho where a great lunch will be waiting for you. Once full of food and wine it is only a one hour ride back home – and the horses all know the way!. 5 hours riding