On the Trails of Wolves and Wild Horses

The locally payable group transfer from Porto Airport leaves at 3PM sharp. Arrive in Castro Laboreiro around 5PM and settle into your room at Falagueiras House, which is large and recently renovated, and relax after your journey. Later on meet your hosts and guide while enjoying dinner and learn about the week ahead. Dinner each night is served around 7.30PM.  You will be transferred between the accommodation and stables. It is a short car journey to the stables.

The following outlines the proposed itinerary for the week but the weather and local conditions may mean that the day by day itinerary varies. Over the course of the week the plan is to have three half day rides and three all day rides. The riding is mostly at a walk due to the terrain, but the canters you do have are fast and so you do need to be a confident rider, comfortable in English tack at all paces with trail riding experience.

Breakfast ingredients are left for you to have your own breakfast at a time to suit you. Today sets the pattern for the week. At around 10AM you will be collected and taken to the stables at Pedro’s home. A car transfer will be provided. If the weather is nice on subsequent days you can walk up to the stables, it takes about 10 minutes. After matching horses to riders you set off on your first ride in the beautiful tracks of Peneda Mountain.  After riding you normally wash down the horses and return them to their fields and go by car to have lunch together in the garden of the guesthouse. Later you stop by the visitor center of the National Park and learn more about the area through which you will be riding. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant this evening. (About 2.5 hours riding)

Today is a full day ride which takes you into the Valley of the Wolves. This is an area full of biodiversity. There are occasionally sightings of wild animals and you can often spot the wild Garrano herds in this valley. Ride through areas of pine, birch and oak trees upon entering the valley itself. Enjoy a picnic lunch out on the trail. On the way back you may be leading the horses down a steeper descent. Dinner will be served at the guesthouse.
(About 4 hours riding)

Today you ride towards the source of the Laboreiro river, at the top of the mountain. Here there are a concentration of small springs which come together to start the Laboreiro River. On the way you pass Rodeiro, the highest village in the region. If conditions allow, you will reach the highest point of the Plateau, around 1,340 m/ 4,400 ft to enjoy a breathtaking 360 degrees view.
This afternoon has a short hike to the Castle of Castro Laboreiro on the agenda.
(About 2.5 hours riding)

Today you cross the Monteiro Hills and after passing the lakes of Portelinha, you start to descend in the direction of Castro Laboreiro village. This ride offers a variety of terrain with both views of the mountains and the tranquility of paths through the oak forest between small hamlets. It allows you to see the difference between the high-altitude landscape and the more hidden valleys of Castro Laboreiro. Lunch will be a picnic in the mountains.
After lunch, head back to the stables with views over the mountains and birds of prey overhead will keep you company along the way.
(About 3 hours riding)

This morning you can choose between a free morning to relax and rest, or a visit the Castro Laboreiro Museum to get to know more about the village’s history. In the late afternoon you tack up the horses for a sunset ride to track and hopefully find the wild Garrano horses.
If the weather is not favorable, the schedule can be swapped around so you are riding earlier in the day rather than at sunset.
(About 2.5 hours riding)

Your final ride heads east towards the border with Spain. On the way you may see the Garrano horses and also the amazing megalithic monuments which represent the largest megalithic necropolis in the Iberian Peninsula. Enjoy a last picnic lunch in the mountains. In the afternoon, the ride continues with the possibility of some long canters and gallops.
Your final dinner will be together in the village.
(About 5-6 hours riding)

After breakfast the return transfer takes you back to the Porto airport. You will be back at the Porto airport by 12PM. A return flight after 2PM is possible.