Riding in Albania - brilliant!!

[scruffyponies]

Have just returned from riding in the mountains of Albania. Totally recommend it.
If your idea of a holiday involves mountains, horses who think they are high-speed goats, a bit of unspoiled beach as well as some history/culture, then this is the one. I don't know where else you would get such a mix. It's clear that Albania is changing very fast, so I am happy to have had chance to see a pastoral way of life which hasn't changed for thousands of years.
We booked with Far and Ride, and Caravan Horse Riding Albania took us for 150km (up/down 1500m) over 6 days, staying in a mixture of hotels and local family homes.
I have no affiliation with either company

 

[SEL]

Have just returned from riding in the mountains of Albania. Totally recommend it.
If your idea of a holiday involves mountains, horses who think they are high-speed goats, a bit of unspoiled beach as well as some history/culture, then this is the one. I don't know where else you would get such a mix. It's clear that Albania is changing very fast, so I am happy to have had chance to see a pastoral way of life which hasn't changed for thousands of years.
We booked with Far and Ride, and Caravan Horse Riding Albania took us for 150km (up/down 1500m) over 6 days, staying in a mixture of hotels and local family homes.
I have no affiliation with either company

Ooooh you're giving me itchy feet!!

Sounds fabulous. Been too long since I did a horsey trip.

 

[EarsofaSnowman]

I've had this trip recommended by someone I met on another riding holiday.

Not sure if I've enough holiday left this year, but hopefully in 2024

 

[hobo]

Sounds fantastic but this old girl is to heavy, creaky and woosy to do this now, Glad you had a wonderful time.

 

[Goldenstar]

It sounds perfect sadly I think I am not in good enough shape for this .

 

[scruffyponies]

It sounds perfect sadly I think I am not in good enough shape for this .

I am hardly an olympic athlete myself, and our oldest fellow-rider was in her '70s.
There was some physical stuff (worst was an hour and a half downhill on very steep on poor footing whilst leading the horse), but so long as you're a confident rider and OK with heights, you'd be fine. The horses are small (c. 14hh) so of course there is a weight limit, but you don't have to be an elf.

 

[Goldenstar]

How heavy an elf do they allow ?

 

[scruffyponies]

How heavy an elf do they allow ?

14st, although some may feel that's a bit much for a lightly built pony to haul up a 45 degree rock face for hours at a time.
Believe me though, they're up to it. Incredibly tough little horses!

 

[Goldenstar]

Quite a big elf then I am thinking of my OH on a 14 h pony .

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Sounds fantastic but this old girl is to heavy, creaky and woosy to do this now, Glad you had a wonderful time.

Having seen you ride last summer, I don't think so!
Happy to join you on an overseas riding escapade, (and am sure @Lindylouanne would too!) tho maybe without such steep mountains!

 

[asmp]

Daughter did it last year with the same company but on the Ancient Pathways one. She really enjoyed it but did say she felt she was pony squishing! She rode Kalamari who was 138cm

 

[Tarragon]

Oh, this sounds like so much fun! Would love to do something like that. I had a friend who rode 160 km in the Yukon. What a big adventure

 

[Hobo2]

TFF several years ago I did the overlook ride in kings canyon CA . Fabulous ride up narrow loose gravel switchback track . I thought that was ‘Fun’ I am sure we will be going down a different way . Nope down the same way. Half the horse went over the edge on each switchback as we worked our way down.
I hurt for 48hrs from tension after and told OH that next time I think going on an overlook ride give me a slap . Funny enough OH and person who had never ridden were fine they had no concept of the possible dangers .

 

[The Xmas Furry]

TFF several years ago I did the overlook ride in kings canyon CA . Fabulous ride up narrow loose gravel switchback track . I thought that was ‘Fun’ I am sure we will be going down a different way . Nope down the same way. Half the horse went over the edge on each switchback as we worked our way down.
I hurt for 48hrs from tension after and told OH that next time I think going on an overlook ride give me a slap . Funny enough OH and person who had never ridden were fine they had no concept of the possible dangers .

OMG! I'm a wuss about riding down v steep hills, let alone a side of a canyon!

 

[First Frost]

I did a similar trip in Georgia ( the country not the american state!) about 10 years ago. Absolutely stunning ,like travelling back in time. From what I have heard it has changed a lot in the last few years, so definitely a good idea to go as soon as possible.
Riding on rough ground at heights is a really experience, you have to trust that the ponies are 4 wheel drive! We also had to ford fast flowing , deep rivers.
I ave thought about Albania so will take a look!

 

[eahotson]

Sounds fantastic but this old girl is to heavy, creaky and woosy to do this now, Glad you had a wonderful time.

Me too.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Do you have a link to where you went OP?
I’m actually supposed to be visiting Albania this year!

 

[scruffyponies]

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g318867-d15411056-Reviews-Caravan_Horse_Riding_Albania-Gjirokaster_Gjirokaster_County.html

 

[Kunoichi73]

Thank you for this recommendation, I'm looking round at potential trips for the next few years. It's always good to get other people's views on trips.

 

[asmp]

Thank you for this recommendation, I'm looking round at potential trips for the next few years. It's always good to get other people's views on trips.

Ancient Pathways, Albania | Horse Riding Holidays

Eastern Europe is a fascinating region with a great tradition of horsemanship and riding. Horses are still used throughout the region and this with cultural, natural and post-communism sights, makes horse riding in Eastern Europe especially fascinating.

www.unicorntrails.com

this is the one my daughter went on.

 

[Kunoichi73]

Ancient Pathways, Albania | Horse Riding Holidays

Eastern Europe is a fascinating region with a great tradition of horsemanship and riding. Horses are still used throughout the region and this with cultural, natural and post-communism sights, makes horse riding in Eastern Europe especially fascinating.

www.unicorntrails.com

this is the one my daughter went on.

Looks brilliant! My big issue is that there are too many trips I want to go on and not enough annual leave or salary!

 

[SEL]

OMG! I'm a wuss about riding down v steep hills, let alone a side of a canyon!

I did one in Chile in 2009 and as we approached a mountain I could see a goat trail down the side of it. I made a joke about how glad I was we weren't going down that. An hour later we'd swung round and up the mountain and were descending on the goat trail. I think I had my eyes shut .....

 

[asmp]

On the ride my daughter went on in Canada on one steep slope they sent the riders down on foot followed by the horses!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I couldn't go down that let alone with a horse

 

[asmp]

I couldn't go down that let alone with a horse

I was surprised how steep and stony the hills were and how sure footed the horses were when we went riding on
Dartmoor with Adventure Clydesdales last year (sad they’ve closed down)