Riding holidays: Riding in South Tyrol
Whether it is a luxurious hotel resort or a family break on a cosy riding farm, a multi-day trail ride with a rustic overnight stay in a mountain hut or relaxed riding lessons for beginners – South Tyrol offers riders of all experience levels unique moments in the saddle. Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, expansive alpine meadows and picturesque valleys, you can feel the freedom and connection with nature particularly intensely here. The Haflinger horses, the traditional South Tyrolean horse breed with their gentle nature and reliability, make a riding holiday in South Tyrol an unforgettable experience.
Why go riding in South Tyrol?
In the green valley of Tauferer Ahrntal, horse lovers will feel like in paradise.
IDM Südtirol - Hansi Heckmair- A wide range of riding options: From western riding to relaxed rides to classic riding lessons – there is something for every rider in South Tyrol.
- Perfect riding trails: A well-developed and well-marked network of trails invites you to enjoy relaxed rides, particularly idyllic on the high plateau of the Ritten, in the Seiser Alm area and around Meran.
- Ideal for trail rides & mountain pasture rides: The Pustertal Valley, the Dolomites regions around Rosengarten-Latemar and the Sarntal Valley are particularly suitable for this.
- Home of the Haflinger: South Tyrol is the birthplace of the Haflinger horse. Experience these gentle, robust and versatile horses up close in their original home.
Top regions for a riding holiday in South Tyrol
- Dolomites: Impressive mountain scenery and varied riding tours in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, such as on the Seiser Alm.
- Kronplatz in the Pustertal: Family-friendly riding stables, gentle valleys and varied rides.
- Meran and environs: Mild climate, Mediterranean flair and comfortable riding centres.
- Vinschgau: Sunny riding excursions through wide orchards and along historic irrigation channels.
- Eisacktal: Varied riding tours between vineyards, chestnut groves and alpine pastures.
Explore South Tyrol on Haflinger horses
South Tyrol is home to the Haflinger horse breed. For a long time they were used exclusively as working horses on farms, but now they are particularly popular leisure horses. Due to their sure-footedness, they are particularly suitable for riding up to alpine pastures and on hikes.
Varied holiday offer for every riding level
On the back of a Haflinger horse, you can explore the wonderful landscape in the surroundings of Meran in a very special way.
Reiterhof Sulfner des Waldner NorbertWhile some holiday guests in South Tyrol book an entire riding package with accommodation and daily riding lessons or excursions, others simply want to try out whether they too can find happiness on horseback. Children's eyes often light up during a guided ride on a pony, while adults with riding experience enjoy galloping across wide Alpine meadows on a Haflinger.
Riding lessons for beginners & advanced riders
If you don't have much experience yet, take a few riding lessons first. But it's not just beginners who can learn something new: whether it's seat training on the lunge or tölt, reining or carriage driving – specialised riding lessons are also offered in South Tyrol.
Discover the landscape on a horseback ride
From gentle vineyards to high alpine pastures, the varied landscape of South Tyrol is best explored on horseback. Many riding stables and riding farms require good riding skills for a ride, but some also offer rides on a guided hand horse. Trekking tours on horseback over several days are an unforgettable experience for experienced riders.
Seiser Alm is a real paradise for animal and nature lovers.
Internet ConsultingMulti-day trail rides on the mountain pasture
Riding through South Tyrol's mountains on horseback over several days is an intensive nature experience – perfect for experienced riders who are looking for something special. In regions such as the Pustertal and Eisacktal valleys or in the Dolomites around the Schlern, guided multi-day tours lead over remote alpine trails, through dense forests and to rustic huts. Some riding centres offer their own routes, for example starting in the side valleys of the Eisacktal or through the picturesque Gsies Valley. Even if there is no official trail riding network, the good infrastructure ensures safe, impressive tours, accompanied by local guides and sure-footed horses.
Grooming horse on holiday
On some riding holidays, guests are also assigned a grooming horse, so that they not only feel safe when riding, but also when caring for the horse on a daily basis. Children of a certain age are particularly happy about this.
Riding holidays & riding holidays for children in South Tyrol
The well-tempered Haflinger horses are perfectly suitable for riding newbies and for children.
Reiterhof Sulfner des Waldner NorbertWith its family-friendly riding stables and riding schools, South Tyrol is an ideal destination for young horse lovers. From the first riding lesson to day rides, there is something for every riding level. On many farms, for example in Vinschgau or around Meran, children are also allowed to help with feeding, grooming and mucking out. This is a fun way for them to learn how to treat animals with respect.
For older children and teenagers, there are also offers for riding holidays without parents.
Holidays with your own horse
As a horse owner, why not go on holiday with your own horse? In South Tyrol, some horse farms have expanded their offer to include horse guest boxes. This gives you the opportunity to take part in guided alpine and trail rides with your own horse, explore the surrounding area on your own on short rides or take riding lessons with qualified riding instructors.
Horse racing in Meran
The Meran racecourse mainly hosts steeplechase races on the hunting and hurdle courses.
Internet ConsultingThe Meran racecourse was opened in 1935. Thoroughbreds from the best Central European racing stables compete here for victory in steeplechase and gallop races, but Haflinger horses also race here. The Haflinger gallop race, for example, traditionally takes place on Easter Monday. The Grand Prix of Meran Forst, a highly endowed obstacle race in October, is both the highlight and finale of the racing season.
Riding tournaments
A special event highlight not only for horse lovers is the famous Oswald von Wolkenstein Ride. The festivities surrounding the equestrian spectacle begin on Friday and come to an exciting conclusion on Sunday with the four tournaments in Kastelruth and Seis as well as at the natural bathing pond in Völs and at Prösels Castle. There are also show jumping and dressage tournaments in South Tyrol as well as stallion approvals, aptitude tests and other interesting events for horse fans.
Red Rooster: Riding holidays on the farm
Farm holidays with riding facilities are just the thing for horse lovers.
SBB/Roter HahnMany farms that offer farm holidays also have horses or ponies. Horse lovers of all ages get their money's worth there: they can experience horses in the paddock and in the stable and can help with mucking out, feeding and grooming. Farm riding holidays often offer pony rides or guided rides with Haflinger horses.
Specialised riding farms with the Red Rooster brand, which fulfil special criteria, offer even more: For example, there must be a riding arena on the farm and a member of the host family must be a certified cross-country riding guide, trail riding guide or instructor and offer professional beginner lessons as well as guided rides.
Images
In the green valley of Tauferer Ahrntal, horse lovers will feel like in paradise.
IDM Südtirol - Hansi Heckmair
Small and big horse lovers have many possibilities to practice their favourite hobby in South Tyrol and to discover the magnificent natural landscape.
IDM Südtirol/Alessandro Trovati
Holidays on a horse farm
Reitschule und Trekking Garmesegg-Hof
Holidays on a horse farm
Reitschule und Trekking Garmesegg-Hof
Riding lessons, trekking and much more is offered at Sitting Bull Ranch in St. Martin in Thurn.
Sitting Bull Ranch
Dreamlike rides with view of the South Tyrolean mountain world
Sitting Bull Ranch
Riding lessons for kids
Verkehrsamt Bozen - Tiberio Sorvillo
The picturesque landscape of Tauferer Ahrntal can be very well explored riding a horse.
IDM Südtirol - Hansi HeckmairRiding
Selected accommodations in South Tyrol
Quiet and central position, countless outdoor activities in the environs, in the surrounding area of Meran.
- Close to Lake Kaltern
- Double rooms, family rooms & a flat
- Varied breakfast buffet
- Terrace & garden with outdoor pool
- Playground & playroom
- Surrounded by orchards
- Heated outdoor pool
- Garden with barbecue facilities
- Bread service & herb garden
- Guided farm tours on request
- Idyllic location surrounded by orchards
- Large apartments with 3 bedrooms
- Sunbathing lawn with outdoor pool
- Farm produce & breakfast basket
- Playground & animals