Days out: Pony Trekking Aviemore
Whether you’re a total novice or an experienced rider, Pony Trekking Aviemore provides a unique and memorable way to explore the beautiful Strathspey area. With a variety of routes and durations, the treks promise to immerse you in this world-famous national park, while adding a new string to your bow. Tempted to try something new while you’re staying in the area? Here’s all you need to know about the various trips on offer.
Wee Womble
As the name suggests, this is a taster session aimed at children from 3-8 years who have very little, or no experience riding horses. It’s a great way for the wee ones to try something new, with around 15 minutes of gently led riding around the fields next to the stables (no roads are used).
photo credit: Pony Trekking Aviemore by Rothiemurchus Estate
Taking place at the end of the afternoon when the yard is nice and quiet, this option is suitable for nervous riders and is a great way to experience riding for the first time.
Duration: approximately 15 minutes
Price: £17 per person.
Age: minimum 3 years (under 12s must be accompanied by an adult)
Experience: No previous experience required, adults can walk alongside
Maximum weight: Ideally, a max weight of 6 stone
Beginners Pony Ride
Learn the basics of riding in this field-based trek with no roads or road crossings. Suitable for adults and children of eight years or over, it’s a perfect family ride for those with little or no riding experience. Learn the basics of riding, in a group of no more than six, and get to know Highland ponies in this relaxed, friendly environment. Parents can also walk alongside the ponies if they don’t fancy riding.
Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Price: £35 per person
Age: minimum 8 years – under 12s must be accompanied by an adult
Experience: No previous experience required; however, all riders need to be fit enough to mount and dismount unaided
Maximum weight: 16 stone
Rothie by Horseback
If you’ve ridden horses before and you don’t consider yourself to be a beginner, you could try this trek which will take you through the beautiful Rothiemurchus Estate. Designed for riders who are competent at walking pace, and who can control their own horse over varying terrain, this trek is taken at a gentle pace, over the heather moor. It’s a great way to explore the area, with stunning views over the Cairngorms and plenty of opportunities to take photos en route.
Duration: approximately 1 hour
Price: £38 per person
Age: minimum age 12 years – under 16s must be signed in by an adult
Experience: Must have ridden before, with the ability to steer and control the pony yourself as road crossings involved
Maximum weight: 16 stone
Intermediate Hack
This option is perfect for riders who are confident covering reasonable distances and who have experience with rising trot and even short canters. The one-hour trek covers an interesting and varied route and allows the rider to experience the ponies in their natural environment. There’s little or no road work involved, and instead riders will head out across stunning scenery and mixed terrain.
Duration: approximately 1 hour
Price: £39 per person
Age: minimum age 12 years – under 16s must be signed in by an adult
Experience: Must be competent at walk and rising trot over reasonable distances in open spaces. Riders must have ridden before, be used to riding outside a riding arena and able to do a short canter
Maximum weight: 14 stone
Experienced 60-Minute Hack
This is a great choice for adults and over-14s who are confident handling ponies and can canter in open spaces with other riders. The Experienced 60-Minute Hack will take you across a combination of moorland, pinewoods, farmland rivers and technical upland terrain with little or no roads. This is the most challenging route on offer and requires riders to have ridden in the last three months and have a good level of riding fitness.
Duration: approximately 1.5 hours
Price: £39 per person
Age: minimum age 14 years – under 16s must be signed in by an adult
Experience: Competent at rising trot, and canter in open spaces, not just in a riding school. Riders must ride regularly, and have cantered out in the last year, riders will be assessed prior to the ride
Maximum weight: 14 stone
A few extra things…
The meeting point is at The Stables. Park at either the Triangle or Woodland car parks and walk to the stables. You need to arrive 20 – 25 mins before your booked session to get safety gear fitted and meet your pony.
Contact number: 01479 812741
Clothing: wear suitable outdoor clothing and sturdy shoes with a small heel. Accompanying adults should also wear sturdy shoes. Protective headgear is provided and must be worn at all times.
Dates: Although the ponies operate all year round, there is a full programme from Easter – October 31st.