the welsh prince trail
summer & autumn | from £1595pp | wales
RIDE WILD along historic welsh trails
Overview
Over four unforgettable days in the saddle, you’ll ride through some of Wales’ most beautiful and varied countryside — crossing rivers, climbing rolling hills and winding through remote valleys that feel wonderfully untouched. Much of the route follows historic tracks and old bridleways, linking places that have been connected by horseback for generations.
Each day offers a blend of forward-going riding and quieter moments to take in the scenery, with plenty of opportunities to experience the rhythm of the landscape beneath you. You’ll pass sites of historical significance along the way, immersing you in the rich culture and history of Wales, and giving the ride its name.
You’ll stay welcoming local inns and charming B&Bs along the way, where you’ll enjoy hearty food and genuine Welsh hospitality — the perfect way to unwind after a day on horseback.
What you need to know
Horse riding in Wales, UK
£1595 pp (+ single occupancy room £46 a night)
All meals, accommodation, luggage delivery and riding included.
11 - 14 June, 16 - 19 July, 20 - 23 August (1 space remaining), 24 - 27 September 2026
4 days & 3 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: 11 - 14 June, 16 - 19 July, 20 - 23 August (1 space remaining), 24 - 27 September 2026
Price: £1595pp
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
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.
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:
Apply to join this ride:
Itinerary
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You’ll arrive at Freerein HQ for 9am where you’ll meet your guide and fellow riders. After meeting your horse, you’ll prepare them for a full day of riding. Today you’ll explore the open tracks of the Begwns passing the ‘Roundabout’, an unusual landmark built in the 19th Century to honour Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. After lunch, you’ll drop down off the Begwns and cross over Rhulen hill and Aberedw hill to arrive at the horse’s accommodation for the night. You’ll feed and untack your horse before a short taxi ride into the agricultural town of Builth Wells, where you will spend the night at a local B&B or guest house. Dinner will be at one of the restaurants or inns in town or at the guest house.
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Today starts by catching, feeding and preparing your horse. You’ll then start the steep climb onto the spectacular Hergest Ridge. You’ll pass the ‘Whet Stone’, a traditional gathering point where, in this case, would have been used for betting and bargaining. Dropping down through the Parish of Gladestry, you’ll follow the quiet country lanes to join part of the Offa’s Dyke path across Disgwylfa Hill, before passing through the village of Newchurch. There’s some great views to enjoy at the top of Newchurch Hill and Bryngwyn hill as you head down to the horse’s accommodation for the night. Accommodation will be in a local inn in the village of Painscastle - the location of the biggest and most brutal battle in all of Welsh History, The Battle of Painscastle in 1198.
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You’ll enjoy a welsh breakfast before heading to the field to feed, groom and tack up your horse. Today’s ride starts by sweeping back across Aberedw Hill before dropping down into the hamlet of Hundred House. Today, Hundred House is a small hamlet but it was once regarded as a strategic location and was built by both Romans and Normans in the first century AD. From here, you’ll climb up onto Gwaunceste Hill and enjoy some fabulous panoramic views.
You’ll then pass the remains of Black Yatt, an old farmhouse built in the 18th Century. You’ll wind down through the country lanes to Old Radnor, where the day will end. You’ll untack and feed the horses before heading to a local Inn for the night. The horses will be a 5 minute walk down the road. -
After breakfast, you’ll walk to fetch the horses. The ride will start by heading straight up onto the rugged moorland of Llanbedr Hill, taking in the spectacular views of the Black Mountains. You’ll spot Pen-y-fan, the highest peak in South Wales before travelling the length of Landeilo hill where you'll pass the mysterious grave of Twm Tobacco. You’ll be able to look down into the hamlet of Aberedw, where the last Prince of Wales - Prince Llewelyn - once took refuge in a cave hiding from the English in the early 13th century. After lunch, there will be time for some exhilarating canters on the Begwns before a relaxing stroll down the country lanes back to Freerein HQ for around 4pm.
Apply to join this ride:
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 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
