5 ideas for horseback riding and eco-friendly accommodations to escape from the city in the Tuscan beauties
Just one day, or maybe two, to get away from city life and find yourself in the midst of nature riding a horse in the mountains, surrounded by the hills or along the coast. Why not enjoy a special holiday in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy?
Tuscany is a treasure trove of history and art, its cities and its medieval villages tell a thousand-year history; is a treasure chest of scents and flavors that offers culinary delights and fine wines, but it is also a region rich in nature, which offers beautiful landscapes, hills, mountains and long beaches. The great natural heritage of Tuscany is the perfect premise for a riding holiday, full of wilderness and freedom that only a ride can give.
Horseback riding on Mount Mugello
In the pristine landscape of Mount Mugello, we can experience a horseback riding away from civilization: on hidden paths to discover the wild landscapes of the Apennines, between ancient Roman artefacts and traces of boars, deer and even wolves. In the area you can organize daily hikes or multi-day tours, to discover all the hidden treasures.
The routes of wine on horseback
In Tuscany 23 roads run through the hills covered with vineyards and olive trees, run into medieval towns, hidden churches, villas and farmhouses. They are the wine routes, paths leading into the rural heart of the region that will allow you to live in deep contact with nature. One way to discover these itineraries is definitely on horseback!
Horseback riding on Mount Amiata
The mountains of southern Tuscany, eternal background of the Maremma: an enchanted forest countryside which hides many routes. Among these, there is the path, walking horse, which makes the mountain circumnavigation between 1000 and 1300 meters in altitude and cross forests of beech, fir, oak and chestnut.
Along the coast
We discover to our horse riding Rosignano. It starts from Paoggio Pelato, at Le Serre and you arrive in the resort Steccaia. We walk 30 km, admiring the Apennines, the contours of the Apuan Alps, the Tuscan Archipelago, the Medicean castle of Rosignano Maritime and hilly landscapes.
Among coal mines and marble quarries
Let’s start Cancellini Farm on the bridle path that immediately delves into the forests of oak and chestnut trees. The Horseback Trail passes close to a museum that depicts the life and customs of coal miners who worked in this area. The open landscapes of the surrounding valley and the metalliferous hills. After crossing the river Cornia, we dive through the olive groves and vineyards and among the marble quarries, some still active. Then we pass through the villages of Suvereto and finally we reach the Montioni Park.
Where to stay to fully enjoy Tuscany and live a riding holiday
For your horseback holiday in Tuscany you can choose a sustainable accommodation. Here are the farmhouses and the green hotels that have stables and/or organize horseback riding.
A farmhouse among the mountains
Bio Agriturismo La Colombaia is located in the mountains of Mugello and offers travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rural setting, made of small things, where they follow the rhythm of nature. Fully sustainable, it offers homemade food, comfortable rooms, and the possibility to organize tours in the surrounding area with the horses of the farm.
A farmhouse in Sansepolcro
La Conca farmhouse is surrounded by an immense private natural park that makes the location truly exclusive and evocative. Here you can stay in old stone houses. At guest’s disposal swimming pool, stable, archery, bowling alley, guided walks on foot, horseback, and mountain biking.
On the hills of Scandicci
Just 7 kilometers from Florence, Lebbiano Residence is an enchanting accommodation consisting of studios built according to the criteria of bio-architecture. It is surrounded by forests and meadows, and has a gazebo on the shore of the natural lake with barbecue and an ecological, non-chemical swimming pool. Just over a kilometer, you will find a riding school.
Organic Farmhouse in Volterra
Tenuta Orgiaglia is a splendid organic oasis in a strategic position between Volterra, San Gimignano, and Siena offering the typical Tuscan atmosphere and hospitality. You will know the 3 horses and the pony of the property and make beautiful hikes with them.
In Greve, in the Chianti wine region
Among the vineyards of Chianti, finally, there’s Hotel Giovanni da Verrazzano waiting for you. The accommodation has 10 rooms, each one different, some with views of the beautiful square, others, with a terrace, of the roofs that dominate the surrounding countryside. They organize an hour, half day or full day trips with horses. During the trips, you can book wine and local cheese tastings.
