1 person currently interested
4 Day Hills and North Coast Horse Riding Adventure in County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Bed and Breakfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Coast All-Level Horse Riding Holiday
This listing has one of the 10 most popular offers available in in the United Kingdom
These four days of horse riding on the world-famous Causeway Coast and North Antrim hills gives riders the opportunity to enjoy walking, trotting and cantering through, verdant countryside, past beautiful forests, heather-clad mountain tops, coastal villages and stunning white sand beaches. This ride mixes quality riding experiences and accommodation with exceptional views and traditional Irish hospitality.
Key Information
- Tack Type: English tack
- Horse Breed: Irish Cobs, Irish Drafts, Sport Horses, Connemara’s
- Rider weight limit: 225 lb / 102 kg
Highlights
- 3 days of riding, 4 to 7 hours of riding each day
- Spectacular trail riding and five-star coastal riding
- Picture-perfect picnic at the mountainside cabin and lunches in local restaurants
- A refreshing trot, canter or gallop on a 3-mile-long pristine beach
- Ride overlooking Ballintoy Harbour, a popular Game of Thrones' filming location,
- Ride one of Ireland’s most popular tourist attraction, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge
- Take in the view of the beautiful Irish Sea, looking to the Western Isles of Scotland
- 3 nights accommodation with breakfast, lunch and the best views in Ireland included!
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Styles
3 days with instruction
Group size: Minimum of 2 participants
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in local Bed and Breakfast accommodations in North Antrim Coast and County Antrim Coast.
Program
This 3 Day Irish riding experience makes for an ideal mini-break or could be added to your itinerary as part of a longer stay in Ireland. Enjoy 3 quality days of horse riding which include spectacular trails through hills, glens and heather-clad mountains as well riding on Whitepark bay which is one of the most stunning beaches the coast has to offer.
It makes for an ideal way to experience the iconic Causeway Coast and offers a taste of everything that makes Ireland’s north coast world famous: white sand beaches, rugged coastlines, verdant countryside, enchanting forests, mountainous trails and quality Irish hospitality!
This experience begins with a day’s horseback riding in the Irish countryside before spending two more exhilarating days on the famous Causeway Coast where you will ride at locations such as Whitepark Bay, Ballintoy, Loughareema, the vanishing lake and the Glens of Antrim.
Itinerary
Arrival Day
Céad míle fáilte (one hundred thousand welcomes)
Welcome to Ireland! You can arrive in either Belfast or Dublin. A driver can be arranged to collect you from either location and whisk you off at the beginning of your Irish adventure. You will journey northwards and, if it tickles your fancy, you can opt to travel along the renowned Causeway Coastal Route, lauded as one of the top 5 road journeys in the world. This beautiful drive will give you a taste of the rugged coastlines and sweeping sea views that you will experience over the course of your holiday.
The coastal route is dotted with historic castles and a changing canvas of natural landscapes–incredible fishing villages, quiet beaches, rolling green hills with lush hedges, mountain streams and rugged coastlines with majestic cliffs—all overlooking the magnificent sea.
You can spend the day at your leisure in your accommodation or explore the beautiful North Coast. Enjoy some food at a local pub or restaurant, sample a pint of Guinness with the locals, or dance the evening away to some traditional Irish music. Be sure to get a good night’s rest to be ready for what the coming days have in store!
- Overnight: North Antrim Coast
Day 1: North Antrim Hills - Picnic - Country Antrim Coast
A driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the stables. On arrival, Mr. McKinley, members of the Bespoke Equestrian Ireland (BEI) team and “Sheba” the Border collie farm dog, will greet you with a warm, genuine welcome before heading to the barn for a stable tour and meet the team of horses (if you wish, you can assist with grooming and tacking).
After selecting a horse and a riding assessment, you will spend 4/5 hours riding out into the wilderness of the North Antrim Hills with its heather-clad slopes, looking down onto green pasture away below with panoramic views over the North Coast and 5 counties of Ireland.
You will stop at the glass-sided mountainside cabin, high in the hills where a picture-perfect picnic or traditional afternoon tea awaits you. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch, while absorbing magnificent views of the Northern Irish countryside.
You will be riding past the old peat banks that were once the traditional source of fuel in Ireland for generations and can stop and do some peat cutting with the old traditional peat spades and get a few photographs before making your way back to the stables.
After your initial day's introduction and riding, you will be collected and taken to your accommodation near where you will be starting your ride tomorrow morning. Your hosts will help to organise dinner options for you in the local town. After that, it's time to get a good night's sleep and be ready for what tomorrow has in store.
- Overnight: County Antrim Coast
Day 2: Ballintoy - Whitepark Bay - Ballintoy Hills - Cliff over Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge
You will begin the day in the idyllic seaside village of Ballintoy on the coast! Follow an old off-road track with splendid views of the coast, to the breathtaking white sand beach of Whitepark Bay, a 3-mile long beach on the famous Causeway Coastal Route. Whitepark Bay is a beautiful stretch of pristine beach located on Co. Antrim’s North Coast near the picturesque village of Ballintoy. With a beach so pure it shines for miles (on even the cloudiest of days) it’s the perfect backdrop for a refreshing trot, canter or gallop!
You will take your time playing on the beach and in the ocean before cantering over the smooth sands! If you're lucky, the famous “Sunbathing Cattle” will be on the beach basking in the sun’s warmth.
You will spend your time romping and capering along the 3-mile stretch of pristine, resplendent white sand and explore the rolling sand dunes of the area below the backdrop of the rugged surrounding cliff faces which were once home to some of the earliest human settlers in Ireland. Savour the taste of the tantalising sea air, feel the blustering and energising wind on your face and the radiant rays of the Irish sunshine on your back on this invigorating ride.
Afterwards, you'll make your way over sandy dunes and across lush farmlands for lunch at the village of Ballintoy. Enjoy a delicious pub lunch in the Fulerton Arms with a traditional atmosphere. Add in a pint or half a pint of Guinness and you’ll tick all the boxes. Expect good, straightforward locally sourced main dishes such as seafood chowder or Irish stew.
After lunch, you will ride in the hills above Ballintoy, overlooking Ballintoy Harbour which was mainly associated with salmon fishing. In its heyday, cartloads of salmon made their way around hilly roads to catch the train at Ballycastle and onwards to Belfast. Game of Thrones fans will recognize Ballintoy Harbour as the setting for the Iron Islands and Lordsport in the Isle of Pyke. Like most places along the North Coast, the views from these hills are spectacular and offer some amazing photo opportunities. We look down on Ballintoy’s most distinctive site, the white Ballintoy Parish Church, perched on a hill overlooking the vast Atlantic.
Ballintoy Parish Church was built in 1813, in replacement of the original church built in the early 17th century. It is one of the most scenic churches in the country and is often pictured with the stunning view of Rathlin Island in the background. Many notable landed families are buried in the church’s cemetery including The Stewarts of Ballintoy, Downing Fullerton and members of the Stewart-Moore family.
You will now make your way towards the final destination of your journey. As you ride, you will be looking down onto the cliffs surrounding one of Northern Ireland’s most popular tourist attractions, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge, before finally stopping and saying farewell to the horses and team after a full day of off-road riding.
Your time with Bespoke Equestrian Ireland is coming to an end and as you say farewell to the horses, you will take in the vista of this spectacular coastline hugging the wild Atlantic Ocean, looking out over the sea to Rathlin Island, the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and the Western Isles of Scotland.
Day 3: Loughareema / Vanishing Lake - Old Coach Road - Carey River
Today, the horses will be transported and you will saddle up in the rugged hills above Ballycastle. You will be venturing to Loughareema, known locally as the Vanishing Lake, an area surrounded by Irish myths and legends. This ethereal lake, on the outskirts of a beautiful series of wild, expansive peatlands is often enshrouded by swirling mists. The true mystery of the lake is derived from its propensity to mysteriously vanish overnight, with the usually brimming body of water being no more.
The ’Vanishing Lake’ is an area surrounded by Irish myths and legends. Allow your guide to regal you with these tales, as you hear of the coachman and horses lost in a terrible storm! The group had tried to cross the lake when it was full of water, which they did not notice in the dead of night in this misty, desolate area. Rumours abound that, when the lake is at its fullest, the ghosts of this unfortunate party haunt the lake.
You will ride along a winding laneway to bring you far away from the hustle and bustle of civilisation, where you will have the opportunity to explore a hidden gem which has historically been known only to locals. The McBride Family farm has a massive underground spring which leads to the Carey River, whose gentle, flowing waters will accompany you throughout your travels.
You will continue your ride on the Old Coach road to the edge of the famed Glen of Glendun, one of the 9 Glens of Antrim. This road was the main thoroughfare from the Coast to the Glens in bygone times, and whilst it has long been abandoned, in favour of more expedient routes, this route is well worth traversing. The Coach Road provides a fantastic vista from which to soak in the surrounding beauty of the Glens and the sea of Moyle, in all its glory.
Allow the horses to graze as you make the most of the picture opportunities. With these two important tasks ticked off the list, we will begin the homeward journey across the varied and beautiful terrain. Feel the wind in your hair and the sun on your back as you trot and canter your way through the Glen. Keep a keen eye out for the deer who use the trees and flora and fauna of the forestry as their sanctuary before returning for a picnic lunch in the heart of this beautiful landscape.
You will have most definitely earned yourselves a rest after a quality morning of riding. Once re-energised, you will remount your trusted steed and enjoy an afternoon of riding as you meander through the verdant green fields and follow the Carey river, sometimes a gentle stream, other times a raging torrent as it makes its way towards the Atlantic Ocean. Make the most of these last few trots and canters with your four-legged friend who has been a trusted companion over the last few days. As you dismount with a smile on your face, the sense of accomplishment, the memories, the bond with your horse, guide and the area you have ridden through will never leave you as you once more, take in the beauty of the wild and rugged landscape.
Onward Journey: If you would like an additional night of accommodation tonight then this can be arranged upon request or Bespoke Equestrian Ireland can help you with your onward journey.
Location
This Irish horse riding experience begins with a day’s horseback riding in the Irish countryside before spending two more exhilarating days on the famous Causeway Coast heralded for its beauty and spectacular scenery.
Locations where you will ride
- Sheans Horse Farm stables
- North Antrim Hills
- Whitepark Bay beach
- Balintoy hills
- Watertop Farm
- Vanishing lakes
- Old Coach road
- Glendun
Food
Tea and freshly baked scones on arrival, daily breakfast, two lunches at a local establishment, and one picnic lunch are included in the package.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Pescatarian
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
Allow BEI's dedicated team of tourism experts to further enhance your trip to Ireland by opening up their country to you. BEI can help you plan itineraries to suit all members of your group whether it be helping you plan your activities to do in the evening or on the days you are not riding. BEI can also put together full itineraries for those members of your group who will not be riding but want to explore this country while you are enjoying your riding experience.
Ireland itself is one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and Northern Ireland is seen as an emerging tourism market. The dedicated team of experts are working on the ground and will use their knowledge and expertise to ensure you and your group have a truly unique and memorable experience in Ireland. For help and advice on itineraries, please get in touch.
- Causeway Coast Discovery Centre
- Irish clans of the Causeway Coast experience
- Coastal sightseeing by helicopter
- Sailing Yacht tour of the coast
- A day of Golf on the North Coast
- Antrim Garden tour
- Country escape to the spa
- Scotland whiskey tour
- Dunluce Castle
- Guided coastal walk and hike
- Glenarm Village tour and castle lunch
- Loughgiel Irish dancer exhibition
- Sea kayaking and river kayaking
- Old Bushmills Distillery Co. Tour
- Bike tour of the Causeway Coast
- Coasteering
- Private guided history tour
- An evening of history with Right Hon. Hector McDonnell
- Cultural Belfast tour
- Game of Thrones location tour
- Coastal food tour
- Cookery class with a local chef
- A day at the Ulster American Folk Park
- Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
- Archeology tour
- Walled City of Derry tour
- Livestock market and Irish farm tour
- Hurling match
- Scullion Hurls tours
- Titanic
- Giants Causeway
- Gobbins
What's included
- 3 nights accommodation with breakfast
- 5* coastal riding
- 2x quality picnic lunches
- 1x lunch at a local establishment
- Tea and fresh baked scones on arrival
- All tack & equipment
- Spectacular trail riding
- Knowledgeable trekking guide
What's not included
- Airport transfers
- Hire of photographer for a half or full day
- Upgrade to hotel accommodation
- Itinerary planning for non-riding partners
- Personal expenses
- Dinners
How to get there
Recommended Airports
BFS
Belfast International Airport
6 km
Transfer not provided
BHD
George Best Belfast City Airport
24 km
Transfer not provided
DUB
Dublin Airport
144 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by airplane
Please arrange your flight to arrive at Belfast International Airport (BFS) or Dublin Airport (DUB). Transfers from these airports are not yet included, for more information, please send Bespoke Equestrian Ireland an inquiry. BEI is a full-service vacation provider and their US team can assist with and arrange travel logistics.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 40% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookHorseRidingHolidays.com. All major credit cards supported.
74990
Similar Horse Riding Holidays you might like
Why choose BookHorseRidingHolidays.com
Largest Selection
Friendly Customer Service
Offers for every budget
Best Price