Our Destinations

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

UNITED KINGDOM : DISCOVER WALES ON HORSEBACK...

Settled in the west part of the United Kingdom, Wales is a country with a strong and rich history, where the Celtic culture is still alive through the people and its language. We offer you to discover its breathtaking landscapes on horseback, with three trails of different length and level. - For experienced riders, the Trans Wales Trail which is 110 miles length and requires a good riding experience and endurance (about 4 to 6 hours on saddle per day) - For intermediate to experienced riders, the Brecon Beacons National Park Trail which is 90 miles length (about 4 to 5 hours on saddle per day) - For novice / intermediate riders, a stationary ride around the farmhouse : Black Mountains Trail (about 4 hours on saddle per day)

ITINERARY

TRANS WALES TRAIL

This Trail Ride offers the ultimate experience of riding almost the length and breadth of Wales, on the most reliable of horses, the native Welsh Cob, through some of the most historic, beautiful and unspoilt country in Britain. This is the ultimate riding experience crossing form the Black Mountains to the sea for experienced riders only.

Our longest trail takes you across Wales from the English border to the Irish sea in 6 days. The route passes through 4 mountain ranges - The Black Mountains, Mynydd Eppynt, the Elan Valley and over Plynlimon before a final gallop on the beach near Aberystwyth.

The Trans Wales Trail offers a challenge to riders with experience. The route uses mostly forgotten bridle-ways, some open moorland crossings and several trails over private land. Riders must have good stamina and be able to ride at speed for this trail.

Day 1 - Saturday
Meeting at our farm house in the afternoon. Guests are welcomed at the comfortable farmhouse late on the afternoon. Later you'll enjoy one of Maria's delightful Anglo-Bavarian dishes and a glass of wine (or two). Night at the farmhouse.

Day 2- Sunday
This day involves a gentle circuit in the local mountains. This local ride of about 10 miles allows you to discover the valley, over a variety of terrain including some open mountain riding in the afternoon. Lunch is at a country inn. Dinner and night at the farm.

Day 3 - Monday
We set off in the direction of the coast. Eight miles of rolling farming country precedes 12 miles of fast open moors - without doubt a horseman's paradise. With luck we stop at a couple of inns for refreshments before arriving at the comfortable 16th century Caer Beris Manor Country Hotel in Buith Wells for the night.

Day 4 - Tuesday
Staying west of the river Wye, we stop for lunch at a 13th century inn in Llanafan before continuing over the hills to Rhayader. We overnight at the very comfortable Brynafon Country House Hotel.

Day 5 - Wednesday
We cross the Lakeland of Wales - following the Elan Valley for 15 miles; picnic lunch and a final 5 miles through a pine forest. The night stop is at the Blue Bell Inn, where we can relax with a drink, hot bath and a good dinner.

Day 6 - Thursday
Today is marathon day - 26 miles to the sea but first there is a mountain to negotiate with no trail to follow ! We reach the sea in the early evening, and are rewarded for our efforts with a spectacularly fast gallop along the firm sand. After four days of riding hard, you and your horse will be glad of the lift home, and a memorable day is rounded off with dinner in the pub on our way back.

Day 7 - Friday
After a leisurely breakfast, we tackle a trail high in the Black Mountains, returning to the farm for lunch. In the afternoon, guests are able to visit one of the nearby historic towns - Brecon, Crickhowell or Hay-on-Wye.

Day 8 - Saturday
Departure in the morning.
It is time to say goodbye to our horses and guides.

N.B. : Be informed that our guide reserved the right to transfer client to our Black Mountain program if he considers that your riding skill isn't good enough to follow this ride.

BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

This trail takes average fitness riders 90 miles over 5 days staying in Brecon, the villages of Talybont and Llanthony. The riding is not too fast, so just relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery from the back of a friendly welsh cob. The National Park Trail is 6 days riding 7 nights accommodation. The programme runs Saturday - Saturday. This trail is a figure of 8 loop around the Brecon Beacons National Park and guests will spend 2 nights away form our base. This trail is not suitable for Beginner or Novice riders.

Day 1 - Saturday
Arriving around tea-time, the programe starts with a walk to see our famous Welsh Cobs peacefully grazing in the meadows on their day off.
After, we will have dinner and stay for the night at the farmhouse.

Day 2 - Sunday
We ride about 4 miles to the Farmer's Arms in Cwmdu before lunch, returning through the mountains with views of the Brecon Beacons - about 10 miles for the day. Any horse changes are made now if necessary. Dinner and accommodation at the farmhouse.

Day 3 - Monday
The horses are taken to Brecon where we ride over the Beacons to Talybont. The horses spend the night up on the hill overlooking Talybont and we return to our base via The Star Inn for a quick pint.

Day 4 - Tuesday
We travel down via Llanganidir crossing the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal (one of the first built in Britain) to Bwlch where we stop for lunch at the New Inn. Then we ride over Llangorse mountain for some fast canter's on the top, coming back down the steep "Snake's Pass" before returning to base.

Day 5 - Wednesday
After we change horses we ride over Rhiw Trumau down the old coach road to the Red Lion Inn at Llanbedr. We then follow a valley path in the shadow of sugarloaf mountain to Forest Coal Pit, then ride across Bryn Arw finishing day at the Skirrid Inn the oldest pub in Wales, near Abergavenny.

Day 6 - Thursday
We ride up Hatteral Ridge on 6th Century King Offa’s Dyke path, where to the right glorious views of England are afforded and to the left the vastness of Wales and the Black Mountains can be seen. We drop down into Herefordshire to visit the Goat Company farm where there is the chance to buy Angora goat clothing. Then ride up on to Black Hill before descending Hay Bluff and Cusop Dingle toward a homely nights stay at The Kilverts Hotel in Hay on Wye.

Day 7 - Friday
Friday's route in the Black Mountains means a steep descent into the Wye Valley where we picnic or visit the Three Horseshoes before a fast ride back to our first farmhouse to complete the tour - the gallop here is truly sensational!

Day 8 - Saturday
Riders leave after breakfast, having said goodbye to their horses!

(this itinerary is given as an example, and can vary depending on the program of the trail)

This trail will put you through your paces over the most varied of terrains. Mountain and moorland tracks, valleys and pasture land, we will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the Welsh countryside at all paces!

We help to improve outdoor riding skills by using the right horse for the job. Our horses are suited to the rough, hilly but firm ground of mid-Wales. Thus a slow canter is more nimble and suitable than a fast trot on undulating ground.

Throughout the week guests learn horse sense and necessary skills. These include catching, grooming, tacking up and cleaning their own individual horse. They also take care of their tack at the end of the rides. Daily routine involves preparing the horses for an 11 o'clock departure. We mount and find that riders are most relaxed after they have ridden all paces on their mounts. Their balance improves and the horses sort out their preferred order. We mostly ride in double file and as we trot into town everything stops for us. Our Cobs are well known and respected throughout Mid-Wales.

Sunday to Friday we ride different trails each day between 8 and 15 miles a day and lunch at village inns or remote picnic sites high up in the Black Mountains - traveling further and faster each day returning back to our base in the evening.

You ride up and down steep slopes, cross lofty summits, wade rocky rivers, pass through dense woods and see the whole of wilderness Wales. Our cobs have fast acceleration, perfect handling and automatic survival instinct ... Running on grass and water - they're more environmentally friendly than any machine!

At the week's end you will a more relaxed, confident and knowledgeable rider be ready to try another of our longer and more challenging trails but away from base this time!

*Please note that on Wednesday evening our Farm Kitchen is closed. There are many restaurants and pubs locally which we are happy to recommend to you. Evening meal on this night is not included in the trail package.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
30 horses (Welsh Cobs, Hanoveraners, Irish Sport Horses, Thouroughbreds), most of them bred at the farm, are selected for their good temper, good balance and their abilities for trail riding,

Size range from 14 to 16 hands (eq. 1m42 to 1m62).

Tack
Very comfortable endurance and english type saddles.

Required riding level
Trans Wales Trail
To join this trail ride, we recommend fit and advanced riders, able to ride alone, outdoor, at all paces, even the fastest ones !

Brecon Beacons
You should be able to ride at all gaits. Beginners are not welcome. From intermediate to advanced riders.

Stationary ride in the Black Mountains
All levels accepted, from beginner to advanced. This is the best formula to try a multi-day ride or get back into saddle !

Useful information
Children are welcome from 16 years old. Children from 12 years old are welcome if they are with an adult.
Saddlebags and seat savers are provided.
You must wear an helmet on these trail rides. Helmets can be lent directly at the farm.
Maximum weight : 100kg - Maximum height : 2 meters.
Non-riders are welcome on the Black Mountains Trail. They can even accompany the ride with a bike.
A jacuzzi is available at the guesthouse.

YOUR GUIDES

You will be guided by Paul most of the time. He has taken the business over from his father, Michael, several years ago. He perfectly knows the area and will show you the most beautiful places around his place. A logistic vehicle will take your luggage from one guesthouse to the other for the two itinerant rides. Some days, you will have to bring your packed lunch in your saddlebags. You will be asked to saddle, unsaddle, and take care of your horse everyday.

ACCOMMODATION

Accomodation
On the Trans Wales Trail and National Park Trail, you will stay in different accommodations : guesthouses or hotels. All rooms have twin beds. However, upon request, we can find double or single rooms. In some accommodations, you may have to share the bathrooms with other riders.

On the stationary ride, you will stay in the same guesthouse.

If you want a single room, please advise at booking time. A supplement will be asked directly at the guesthouse.

Meals
Alls meals are fully included in your holiday and are cooked by Maria, who often imparts a wonderful Bavarian flavour into her dishes. We do not offer special diets unless they are expressly requested at the time of cooking. Trail hotels do offer more variety. Guests are invited to bring their own bottles.
Lunches are packed lunches, or taken in local pubs.
On the Black Mountains Trail, the wednesday night dinner is not included.

DATES AND RATES

Single room supplement : 120 £
(Applies for riders who ask for a single room. For those who are willing to share, will not pay the supplement even if they are finally in a single room).

Discount for non riders : -450€ for the Black Mountains Trail, -550€ for the Brecon Beacons National Park Trail.

Transfers (to pay directly on the spot):
Depending on your departure dates, we can organize direct transfers from the airport :
- Direct return transfers from London Heathrow airport : 100£.
- Direct return transfers from Cardiff or Bristol airport : 70£.
- Direct return transfers from Chepstow bus station (direct buses from London Heathrow) : 60£, bus ticket non included.

If transfers cannot be organized by our guide, you will have to take public transports (bus/train/taxi). Rates can be the same as direct transfers and we can tell you which transports you can take. More information? Please contact us.

- the trail as described on full board basis,
- the financial guarantee of all deposits sent to Randocheval.

- flights and airport taxes,
- drinks,
- airport transfers,
- dinner of day 5 for the Black Moutains Trail (you'll have choice between different restaurants and pubs),
- tips,
- the organization of a possible visit of the country before or after the trail,
- any other services,
- optional insurance: more informations.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Chloe for any enquiry !

PRACTICAL INFORMATIONS

London Heathrow airport, or Bristol airport.

Transfers from and to the airport are not included but they can be organized for you, either with a private transfer, or with a rented car, or bus, trains and taxis, to get to the departure point of our trail rides.

Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enough.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be updated of usual vaccinations, and especially tetanus..

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