The 8 day Roman chariot horseback riding tour in Umbria offers riders the opportunity to experience local history and remarkable scenery in an unspoiled part of southern Umbria. Located not far from Rome, this trail ride explores rolling hills, historic villages, and quiet countryside while travelling on horseback through landscapes that appear largely unchanged over time.
Organised from a riding centre near Spoleto, the tour combines several days of trail riding with comfortable accommodation, daily meals, and time to enjoy the surrounding countryside. Riders spend six days in the saddle and seven nights in accommodation while exploring the area around Monteleone di Spoleto and the Valnerina valley.
Horse Riding Experience And Riding Conditions
This horseback riding tour is designed for riders with intermediate or advanced experience. Over the course of the week, participants ride well-schooled and responsive horses and follow varied trails across hills, valleys, and quiet paths. Riders may have opportunities for trotting and cantering during the journey.
The horses available at the stables include Anglo-Arabs, Argentinians, Arab crosses, and sure-footed Maremmanos. They stand between 15 and 17 hands in height and are equipped with either English or Western tack. The stables house more than seventy horses, ensuring that riders can be carefully matched with a suitable mount.
The programme is conducted in English and group sizes typically range between six and nine participants.
Accommodation And Facilities
Accommodation during the holiday includes several different settings. At the riding centre, guests stay in chalets, apartments, or bedrooms furnished in traditional Umbrian style. Each unit has an en-suite bathroom and many overlook the surrounding woods and mountains. Some rooms also include kitchen areas, fireplaces, and central heating during the winter.
The centre also features a spacious clubhouse with exposed beams, terracotta flooring, and wide views across the countryside from the bar area. A large fireplace provides a comfortable place to relax after a day of riding.
On the second and third nights of the trail, riders stay at an agritourism near Monteleone di Spoleto called Agriturismo Montebello. The property offers a welcoming rural setting while the horses rest nearby.
The riding centre also has an open-air swimming pool overlooking the hills and valleys of the surrounding landscape.
Daily Riding Itinerary
The tour begins with arrival at the riding centre on Saturday. Guests meet their hosts and fellow riders and enjoy a three-course home-cooked meal at a nearby trattoria before spending the night at the accommodation on site.
On Sunday, riders are introduced to their horses. The hosts match each participant with a suitable horse before setting out on a half-day ride into the hills surrounding the centre. This first ride offers time to become familiar with the horses while enjoying wide views of the region. Lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation follow at the riding centre.
Monday marks the start of the journey towards Monteleone di Spoleto. Riders meet the horses in the village of Precetto, located beside the River Nera and opposite the village of Ferentillo. From here the trail climbs gradually into the hills, passing an old customs point that once marked the boundary between the papal states and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies. The papal symbol of St Peter’s Keys can still be seen there. The area is locally known as Salto del Cieco, linked to stories of brigands who once operated in the region. After a picnic lunch, the ride continues over the hill before reaching accommodation near Monteleone di Spoleto for the night.
Tuesday’s ride explores the paths surrounding Monteleone di Spoleto. The town is connected with the discovery of a Roman chariot that was unearthed in a farmer’s field around one hundred years ago. The original chariot is now in New York, although a replica can be seen in the town. The day includes a picnic lunch and further riding around the hills, with chances for canters along the trails.
On Wednesday, the trail continues along a different route as riders leave Monteleone di Spoleto. The journey passes through the hill villages of Gavelli and Caso before reaching a lunch stop nearby. From there the group rides toward Scheggino, a town beside the river known for the trout that swim through its centre. The day ends at Castel San Felice, where the group spends the night in a former Benedictine monastery that has been converted into a hotel. Luggage is delivered separately by car while the horses graze and rest nearby.
Thursday’s ride follows the banks of the River Nera for two to three hours, passing villages and an ancient abbey. Riders may again have opportunities to trot and canter before reaching the village of Ferentillo. From there, horses and riders are transported back to the riding centre for lunch and an overnight stay.
Friday is a more relaxed day. The morning can be spent enjoying the pool after the week’s riding. Later in the afternoon, riders set out on a three-hour evening ride to the mountain of Monte Acetella. As the sun sets, guests are met by the stable’s jeep and served a three-course dinner while watching the sky for shooting stars. The ride back takes place under moonlight, sometimes accompanied by fireflies along the hedgerows.
Saturday concludes the holiday with breakfast before departure.
The Landscape Of Southern Umbria
The riding centre is located in a plateau area overlooking the mountains and valleys around Spoleto. The surrounding countryside features a mixture of craggy peaks, rolling hills, wooded areas, and hidden valleys.
This region of Umbria includes historic villages and quiet landscapes where wildlife such as porcupines, woodpeckers, and wild boars can be found. The centre lies about fifteen minutes from Spoleto and around thirty minutes from Perugia.
Meals During The Tour
Daily meals are included throughout the horseback riding tour. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks are provided, including water, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. Vegetarian meals are available alongside regular options that may include meat and fish. Guests with specific dietary requirements are encouraged to inform the organiser in advance.
Additional Activities
Guests may choose to enjoy other activities during their stay. The riding centre offers access to a swimming pool and a hot tub area for a small fee. Golf is available nearby in Perugia.
Riders may also arrange additional riding lessons, including show jumping or flatwork, as an extra activity during trekking holidays. Other possibilities in the region include cycling, mountain walking, rafting, trekking, and wine tasting.
The 8 day Roman chariot horseback riding tour in Umbria combines several days of riding with scenic countryside, historic villages, and comfortable accommodation. Travelling along quiet trails and through landscapes rich in history, riders experience both the natural beauty and cultural character of southern Umbria. Those interested in exploring this region from the saddle may find this Roman chariot horseback riding tour in Umbria a rewarding and memorable journey.
Do write and share your reflections upon this matter.
0 Comments