the blue coast trail

trail summary

Aimed at riders who want to spend more hours in the saddle and explore further afield. The trail takes in more of the nearby coastal area and the Atlantic- always a favourite amongst riders -but also enables guests to explore the pastoral land to the East. We ride through rolling hills dotted with smallholdings, where working mules and oxen are not uncommon. As the Alentejo has the lowest population density in Southern Europe, another attraction of riding with us is enjoying ‘space’.

facts

8 day program / 6 days riding
16-30 miles / 26-48 km riding per day
Total hours on horse +/- 30 hours
Accommodation: At the farm in one of our spacious ensuite rooms. Take a look here for more information.
Breakfast and lunch included and two evening meals (first and last night)

itinerary *

Day 1

Transfer by minibus, rental car or taxi to our farm, Samoequerinha (“The small Fig Tree”), near Milfontes. Enjoy a complimentary first meal and drinks and get to meet the team and the other guests.

Day 2 Cela Valley Trail Ride

Breakfast is followed by a talk on riding in Portugal, Lusitano horses & a summary of the trail. Dinner the evening before, and the questionnaire on riding ability will have given us an idea of which horse might suit each guest the best. After allocation of the horses, we mount up in the school to get familiar with the horses and make sure everybody is comfortable before we set off for the ride. This ride gives everyone the chance to get to know their horse and acquaint or reacquaint themselves, as the case may be, to riding in a group. We follow the Cela Valley Ride Route - leaving the base in a North-Westerly direction heading into the Cela Valley and following its overgrown stream Northwards; oak forest lanes – eucalyptus forests – secluded springs. Then out onto the plains for a long, steady canter on a sandy open track - mud walled farm - veer North-East along the edge of the Cercal Ridge - view towards the Atlantic and South of Monchique mountains - then South and home followed by lunch and a presentation on the local wildlife and the protected parkland. (3.5 hour ride)

Day 3 Odemira

Breakfast at farm and riding South-East along the foot of the Cercal Mountains - climbing steadily on a firm sandy track - trot and canter - then steeper track through pine forest and finally into a rich valley with the town of São Luis at the bottom. Wind your way into the town by the old church and enjoy the ambience of this old-world town. Continue out of São Luis in a Southerly direction into the pastoral landscape surrounding Odemira. Rolling hills and traditional windmills, canters along shallow valleys. Stop for lunch below a small, whitewashed farmhouse, next to the well and then set off in a North-Westerly direction for home. (6.5-7 hour ride)

Day 4 Beach Day

Breakfast at farm then head in Westerly direction past small farmhouses in forgotten valleys, past traditional schools and small villages into dunescape. Long tracks offer ample opportunities for long trots and canters. Down onto Milhão beach for a paddle in the Atlantic then back to the pine forest for lunch. In the afternoon we explore more of the never-ending sandy tracks through this amazing dunescape with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. Back to the pine forest and an evening night cap. The horses stay out in the pine forest, while guests are transferred back to the farm. (6.5-7 hour ride)

Day 5 Roman Coast Ride

Transfer to the pine forest for breakfast in the forest beside horses, then continue riding North on the coastal plain to the Moorish fort at Porto Covo. Enjoy the view of the island of Pessegueiro with its Roman Ruins dominating the landscape. Turn South onto the beach, then land inwards into the rolling hills, past a pig farm to enjoy lunch in the open in a magic, enchanted Cork Oak forest. After lunch, cross the plains, take some more canters on the seemingly endless sandy trails and then back to base. (5.5 hour ride)

Day 6 Mira River Valley and Ridge Ride

Breakfast at the farm, ride Southwest through a Cork Oak forest, following a winding trail down to the Mira river valley, one of the cleanest estuaries in Europe. Ride through the beautiful river valleys and meet the river where it meanders through mud flats full of bird and animal life and rich vegetation. Climb out of valley onto farmland and back home. (3.5 hours)

Day 7 Eagle Rock Ridge

Breakfast at the clubhouse, then riding South-East along the foot of the Cercal Mountains - climbing steadily on a firm sandy track - trot and canter - then steeper track through pine forest and finally into a rich valley with the town of São Luis at the bottom. Wind your way into the town by the old church and enjoy the ambience of this old world town. This inland area is full of ancient, tiny subsistent farms, rolling hills and forest. Continue in a Northerly direction climbing to the top of the Javili pass, with spectacular views over the coastal plain and the Atlantic ocean. Fairy-tale setting - wind down onto the plain followed by a late lunch. Complimentary meal and drinks are in the evening (4 hour ride).

Day 8

Breakfast followed by transfer to the airport.

For prices and dates click here