Santorini Horse Riding
Trail Ride (2 hours) for advanced riders "Safari Tour"
18.09.2024
What can I expect from a two-hour trail ride for advanced riders at Santorini Horse Riding? Here you’ll find all the key information about the schedule, the stable, the ride itself, whether photos are taken, and my review.
Table of Contents
Information
The desired trail ride could be booked directly on the “Santorini Horse Riding” website. A deposit of €25 is required upon booking, and the remaining amount must be paid at the stable. The confirmation email states that payment is ONLY accepted in cash.
However, on site card payment is also possible!
Alternatively, booking and payment via Viator* or GetYourGuide* is available.
Guests also had the option to arrange a hotel transfer. Depending on the location, the transfer is either free or costs up to €35 one way.
Payment for the transfer should preferably also be made in cash.
Wearing a riding helmet was mandatory during the ride. Helmets and small saddle bags with a 0.5 l water bottle were provided free of charge.
The rides take place in Western saddles.
My saddle was very uncomfortable, and even with riding leggings I kept sliding around. Unfortunately, I had very poor stability, and on top of that, the stirrups were too long (I have short legs). Another rider also commented that her saddle was uncomfortable.
Stable
The facility had a few paddock stalls, two larger paddocks with at most a small roof for shade, and an indoor arena where the horses were waiting, ready for the ride.
Arrival
The meeting point was at the main road by the “Family Bakery” half an hour before the ride began. From there, guests were driven to the stable by shuttle. Upon arrival, we were asked to go straight to the lounge area, where forms and pens were provided. Next, a staff member handed out helmets and saddle bags with water. Before heading to the horses as a group, the payment had to be made.
At the stable, the horses were already saddled and bridled, but no staff member welcomed the guests. A guide simply called each group, one after another, to come to the arena. Some horses were kept by the stalls (barely visible) and the rest stood tied close together in the arena.
Staff led horses from the stalls to the mounting block, adjusted the stirrups, and the rider was expected to mount immediately.
The order of the group was determined by the staff (on the instructions of the owner), and we were lined up at the gate. The guide, who rode in the style of traditional riding schools, came down a side road on horseback and gave the signal to follow him. That’s how the ride started.
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Trail Ride
To warm up, we followed the asphalt road at a walk for 45 minutes until reaching the “Saint Anna Holy” church, where we turned left and had our first short trot and canter. The sandy path then led us for 15 minutes through a canyon, with white sandstone cliffs rising impressively on both sides.
Soon, we reached the lava sand and stone beach, where we rode through the surf and over the rocks. We followed the beach until just before the “Theros Wave Bar,” where we enjoyed our first beach canter. Alternating between trot and walk, we continued until we could canter again. At one point, we halted, turned around, and galloped powerfully down the beach again – the sound of the sea in our ears and sand and pebbles flying from the horse ahead. After a short trot, we had one last canter along the beach. Altogether, we spent about 20 minutes by the sea before continuing at a walk.
Next, we took a sandy hill at a canter. We trotted on until we turned left to canter uphill again. After a short downhill walk, we picked up a brisk trot, followed by a strong uphill canter. We walked downhill once more, only to prepare for a long gallop across wide open plains at full speed.
At the end of the track, we reached a flat area, riding along sandstone paths and asphalt roads past dry fields and a few scattered white houses. Eventually, we arrived at a cliff with a spectacular view of the sea and the town of “Akrotiri.” From there, we continued at a walk and trot toward the village of “Megalochori.” To finish, we rode across the cobblestone streets of the village before finally returning to the stable.
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I wore the riding leggings from Royal Horsemen for this ride – especially comfortable in warm weather thanks to the mesh.
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After the ride
Back at the stable, staff came forward to hold the horses while riders dismounted. The horses were immediately led away, so there was no chance to say goodbye.
Guests were expected to go straight back to the lounge area until a staff member arrived to drive them back to the bakery meeting point or their hotel. While waiting, guests were allowed to take another water bottle.
Photos
There were three photo stops, where the guide dismounted, tied his horse, and took pictures with the rider’s phone. For photos, riders were allowed to take off their helmets.
1. directly at the black lava sand and stone beach
2. at a viewpoint with the sea in the background
3. at a cliff with the sea and the town of “Akrotiri” in the background
My Review
During the ride we received some very nice photos. The view from the cliff was breathtaking. The highlight was definitely the fast canter along the lava sand and stone beach. I also appreciated the free water bottles as refreshment.
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