Exploring the Alps om horseback - a dream come true for many a trail rider. Here, in the Valais Alps, you can make it a reality: on Freiberger horses that are as sure-footed as they are reliable, you climb mountain passes with fantastic panoramas and cross idyllic mountain pastures, where the whistle of the marmots and the ringing of the cowbells accompany you with every step. Just as picturesque as the scenery are the quaint mountain villages with their dark wooden houses, lovingly tended to and maintained. The landscape is also defined by water: the Rhone River flows gently down the valley and in the mountains you will encounter numerous small streams and large reservoirs.

Itinerary

Weekend Ride: During the weekend in March, the trail leads through the Rhone valley with views of the mountains. The riverbank offers great canter and gallopp tracks!  That is why this tour is only for experienced riders.

3-day ride in Valais: The first trip of May takes you right through the blossoming apricot trees and along the Rhone, with many stretches for faster riding and views of the snow-covered Alps. The second trip takes you through larch forests and past the pyramids of Euseigne up into the Val d'Hérens and towards the Fourcla Pass. Typical mountain villages and great panoramas! 

Mountain Meadow Rides (5 riding days): 

June to August - mountain pastures and villages, alpine valleys, and the Dixence reservoir.
The highlights of this 5-day riding tour are the pyramids of Euseigne and the Dix valley (Dixtal). The Dixtal is named after ten robbers who once spread fear and terror in the area until the local inhabitants set fire to the forest to drive them out of their hiding places and arrest them. At the end of the valley, the Dixence reservoir is completely surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It also passes through the Heren valley, also called "Valley of the Devils", which has preserved its originality and traditions - is not rare to meet women in traditional costumes while riding along in this unspoilt part of the world. 
You start your ride in Haudère, at the lower end of the Val d'Hérène. From here, you ride along a stream through alpine fir forest to the valley of Ferpècle and Volovron to the alpine pasture of Eison. From Néjos, the trail continues to the beautifully renovated mountain huts L`A Vielle in Val d'Hérèns. From L'A Vielle at 2450 m, the trail continues over the alpine meadows of St. Martin down to Chalet Boyrion. From here the trail passes the stone pyramids of Euseigne and returns to the ranch. 
Please note: During the summer holidays (mid-July to end of August) there are often younger riders on the tour. 


Alpine Ride (7 riding days): 
You ride through the most beautiful mountains in the Valais, on narrow paths over hill and dale, past lakes and through small Valaisan villages. Wonderful views of snow-capped peaks await you - and certainly a few marmots too! You will cross passes of up to 2,800 m.
First, you ride into the valley of Hérens with its typical mountain villages and over the alpine meadows of St. Martin and Mase down into the winding valley of Rechy. From here, you continue through the Anniviers Valley at the foot of the highest mountains in Valais. From Zinal at the end of the valley, you ride up to the Soreboispass with a fantastic view of the turquoise blue reservoir of Moiry. You follow the reservoir to the other side, pass Basset and finally reach the Lonapass. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the snow-covered mountains. On the way back to the ranch you will pass the striking pyramids of Euseigne. A riding tour with adventure, character and fantastic mountain panoramas!

Please note: Riding starts on the first day. Meeting point isat the stable at 8 am, departure ony your last day at about 5 pm. You are welcome to book an extra night before the trip, then you can start your riding tour completely relaxed. We reserve the right, at any time, to make changes in the course of the tour, especially due to weather conditions.

Accomodation
Please note that the accommodation for these tours is very simple and rustic. At the riding stable you will find a typical "dormitory" (bunk beds with a shared bathroom), directly by the stables. On the trip, mountain huts and simple inns with bunk beds and mattress dormitories, some of them with only a toilet and simple washing facilities and no showers. Please bring your own sleeping bag!

Saddle & Tack: Western, English or trail riding saddles, saddle bags available for every rider.

Experience: You should have ridden for at least 2 years, have good basic knowledge and have trail riding experience. Due to the terrain, most of the trip is ridden at a walk, and some passes need to be traversed on foot, leading the horses. Good fitness and surefootedness is therefore also required of our riders! Per day you will be travelling for around 5 - 8 hours, 1-2 hours of these will be on foot.
The weekend ride on the Rhone at the end of March is spirited with many gallops and faster-paced riding, so a little more riding experience is required.

Horses: You ride on Freibergers, the Swiss national breed, perfect for trail riding. Most of the horses have grown up in he high mountains, so are very sure-footed. These steadfast horses are also suitable for less experienced riders. During the summer months, they spend their time between rides in outdoor group housing at the yard. They outwinter on large grazing meadows.

Sie reiten auf Freibergern, der schweizer Nationalrasse, perfekt fürs Wanderreiten. Die Pferde wachsen meist in den hohen Bergen auf, so dass sie sehr trittsicher sind. Auch für weniger geübte Reiter sind die nervenstarken Pferde geeignet. Den Sommer über stehen Sie zwischen den Touren im Offenstall auf der Ranch - im Winter gibt es dann ausgiebige "Koppelferien".