border to coast adventure
spring, summer & autumn | £2885pp | wales
RIDE WILD from the welsh border to coast
Overview
Experience six days of immersive riding through the rolling hills and lush countryside of Wales. Ride along ancient bridle paths, cross fresh rivers and enjoy the rhythm of long canters over open terrain on friendly and forward going cobs.
Along the way, you'll stay in charming inns and cosy B&Bs, each bursting with character and local charm, giving you a taste of authentic Welsh hospitality.
This is a ride for those who love adventure, comfort, and the chance to connect deeply with both the landscape and their horse—an unforgettable Welsh riding holiday for seasoned riders and passionate equestrians alike.
What you need to know
Horse riding in Wales, UK
£2885 pp (single occupancy room £46 a night)
All meals, accommodation, saddle bags and riding included.
27 May - 01 June, 30 June - 05 July, 04 - 09 August, 08 - 13 September 2026
6 days & 5 nights
6-7 hours riding everyday
Riding through rivers, stony paths, open green hills and little bridleways
Single room inns & BnB accommodation
Friendly and experienced guides
Dates: 27 May - 01 June, 30 June - 05 July, 04 - 09 August, 08 - 13 September 2026
Price: £2885pp
Location: Wales
Riding level: Advanced and experienced. Able to control horse in a group up to a canter within open spaces.
Time in the saddle: 6-7 hours a day
Horses: Breeds native to the UK
Weight limit: 92kg
Currency: Pounds
Saddle type: English
Need to know
OVERVIEW
Accommodation during the trip
All riding and saddle bags for luggage
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
What’s included:
What’s excluded:
Flights into and out of Wales
Accommodation outside of the trip
Tips / gratuities.
Travel & medical insurance
Transfers before/after the ride
Drinks at bars
Food: Breakfast will be had at your inn / BNB everyday. Breakfast usually consists of an assortment of cereals, yogurts, fruit, fresh bread and some offer cooked breakfasts.
Lunch will packed lunches had along the way including things like sandwiches, wraps, fruit, snack bars.
Dinner will usually be in your hotel for the night or in local restaurants / inns. Most dinners will be hearty regional dishes with seasonal produce.
Dietary requirements can be accommodated.
Accommodation:
Accommodation is in charming, family run inns, B&Bs, hotels and country guest houses along the way. Rooms are single occupancy with a charge of £46 a night.
Accommodation and food
Riding hat, gloves and comfortable riding boots
Light and loose layers of clothing.
A light rain jacket
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sun cream
A water bottle
Bum bag
A charging adapter (for UK plugs)
A book for entertainment
Toiletries, towel, jodphurs etc
Camera gear
See our what to pack guide here for a full packing list.
There is no support vehicle on this ride meaning you’ll be taking all your luggage in saddle bags. These saddle bags can fit roughly the equivalent of a carry on bag / case so please pack conservatively. The saddle bags are also 100% waterproof.
The horses at Free Rein are the highlight of the holiday. They are all calm, fit and forward going, with a mix of cob and cob crosses.
They live out all year round, working for 7 months and then enjoying a 5 month break during the winter months.
All the tack is professionally and personally fitted for the horses at Freerein and all the horses are ridden in snaffle bits.
Horses
What to pack:
Itinerary
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You’ll arrive at Freerein HQ for 8:30am where you’ll meet your guide and fellow riders and pack your saddle bags. After meeting your horse, you’ll prepare them for a full day of riding. Today you’ll explore the open tracks of the Begwns and Llanbedr hill, passing through the village of Painscastle where one of the biggest battles in Welsh history took place in 1198. After lunch, you’ll cross up and over Aberedw hill to arrive at the horse’s accommodation for the night. You’ll untack and feed your horse before a short taxi ride into the agricultural town of Builth Wells where you’ll have dinner and spend the night.
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This morning you’ll enjoy your first Welsh breakfast of the week before being picked up and taken to the horses where you’ll feed, groom and tack up your horse before setting out for the day.
You’ll climb up to Pant-y-llyn lake high above Builth Wells and follow the northern stretch of the Mynydd Eppynt down to Abergwesyn where the horses will stay the night. A short taxi ride will take you to the town
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This morning you’ll feed, groom and tack up your horse before another full day of riding. Today’s route travels through the mid part of the Cambrian Mountains and across very remote terrain. You’ll follow the ancient Monk roads, crossing large river fords and eventually dropping down to the historic Abbey at Strata Florida to stay the night at nearby Pontrhydfendigaid. The horses will stay a short walk away with a local farmer.
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Today you’ll ride through the small town of Fair-Rhos and out across a deserted valley, passing the remains of an ancient marketing village. You’ll enjoy a peaceful ride through the Bwlchgwallter forest before crossing a bridge over the Dologau waterfall. There’s even a chance to pose for a photo under the old masonry Arch built in 1810 to mark the Golden Jubilee of George III.
After lunch, you’ll follow the river out onto open moorland and down into the town of Ponterwyd, where you will stay the night at a local hotel. -
Today you’ll follow the old mountain road up past Dinas Reservoir, before crossing the dam at Nant-y-moch reservoir at the base of Plynlimon – the highest point of the Cambrian Mountains.
You’ll get your first glimpse of the sea before heading down into the valley in Ceulanamaesmawr. Follow the bridleways looking out over Cardigan Bay before arriving at your horses grazing spot for the night. A short taxi ride will take you into the town of Aber for the night. -
Today will be a shorter ride over the hills before dropping down into the coastal plain & the seaside town of Borth. Enjoy a trot up the high street before arriving on the beach! There will be time for a canter and a splash in the sea before arriving at your final meeting point.
You’ll untack your horse and enjoy a cup of tea or an ice cream. You’ll then be picked up at lunchtime and taken back to Freerein HQ for tea and cake before saying goodbye to the horses and departing at 3.30pm.
Not ready to book yet?
this ride is right for you if:
You like learning about the culture and history of countries you visit ✔
You like riding with scenic views ✔
You don’t mind what weather you ride in (summer doesn’t guarantee you good weather in the UK) ✔
You’re happy to ride with a small amount of luggage ✔
You like staying in funky and charming inns, hotels and BnBs ✔
your guides
The team at Freerein will be your guides during your trip. They’ve been running riding trips in Wales for over 30 years and started with a passion for sharing the beautiful Welsh countryside. They’ve created unique trail riding holidays, both guided and unguided, that work to share Welsh history and culture.
Their team includes guides who know the trails like the back of their hands and staff working behind the scenes to keep the horses happy and operations running. They work in tandem to focus on providing welcoming and personalised experiences with well cared for horses and thoughtfully designed routes.
The horses at Freerein are at the most important team members and are a lovely group of cob and cob crosses. They’re all fit, friendly and forward going, making the perfect partners for this 6 day journey.
Outside of the trips, they live in spacious fields together with plenty of natural shelters and enjoy a 5 month break during the winter season.
How to book
Choose your ride
Submit the application form under ‘request to book’
Wait for us to confirm space with the operator (we’ll aim to get back to you within 24hrs)
Pay your deposit
