Cardrona High Country Pub Trail: Horse riding trek in breathtaking mountainous landscape
5.0
240 Ratings
Cardrona
Embark on a horse riding trek through the breathtaking mountainous landscape of Cardrona Valley. Enjoy stunning views, trotting and cantering, and a stopover at a historic pub.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- 2125 Cardrona Valley Road - You will ride high up into the mountains, then down & cross the river over to the Cardrona Hotel for a drink, then back home along the river, many chances for trotting & cantering on this ride so please be sure to specify your horse riding ability upon booking! (Please not we do not “JUST WALK” on this ride, you must be comfortable with this)
**This ride is not recommended for small children, please see “The Gold Discovery Trail” suitable for young families
What's Included
- Beverage
- Professional guide
- Use of helmet
What's Not Included
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Additional Information
Saddle up on this very unique horse trekking experience, just 20 minutes from Wanaka. The half-day High Country Pub horse trek takes you up into the beautiful mountains of Cardrona Valley allowing breath taking views of the surrounding Pisa and Crown Ranges and Cardrona Ski Area. No riding experience is necessary as all tuition is provided, however if you want to cut loose there are many chances for trotting and cantering on this ride and a stopover at the historic Cardrona Hotel to stretch your legs and enjoy a drink on us!
Please note we do not ‘JUST WALK’ on this ride
PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR HORSE RIDING ABILITY UPON BOOKING SO THE APPROPRIATE HORSES ARE SELECTED FOR YOUR RIDE
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR HORSE RIDING ABILITY UPON BOOKING SO THE APPROPRIATE HORSES ARE SELECTED FOR YOUR RIDE
- THIS RIDE IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN - see “The Gold Discovery Trail”
Location
2125 Cardrona Valley Road
Cardrona Valley Road
20 minutes self drive from Wanaka, 50-55 minute self drive from Queenstown. Look for "THE CARDRONA HORSE TREKS & QUAD TOURS" and the famous 'Bra Fence'
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(240 Ratings)
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Maddyt768
May 13, 2024
The best horse riding tour in New Zealand - What an amazing adventure! Kat was our guide who took my sister, mum and I on an amazing afternoon trail ride with the most beautiful scenery. She made us all feel safe and welcomed, ensuring we were comfortable on our saddles. As the three of us are experienced riders, Kat was more than happy to let us have a bit of gallop along certain parts of the trail. She also highlighted some interesting history of Cardrona and the farm. It felt like we were on a ride with a friend rather than a guide. She threw us some amazing experiences along the way of our journey. The best horse riding experience I’ve ever had! Could not rate this amazing experience enough highly recommend adding it to your to do list!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Booffylicious
Apr 14, 2024
Great riding with fantastic scenery - Kelly and Summer were awesome and really looked after me, not to mention Pete the amazing wonder horse who was just a dream to ride! Kelly is passionate about her horses and riding, the horses are wonderfully cared for and it shines through in their beautiful temperaments. The ride (pub ride) was fast paced at times and very chill at other times so really nice balance. Beautiful scenery! I will be back for another ride for sure! Had an absolute blast THANK YOU !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dawnmarie_k
Apr 6, 2024
Lovely healthy horses and beautiful scenery. - We had a great day riding in the Cardrona Valley. Great staff, and beautiful horses. We are beginner riders and the staff was really helpful in picking out the right horses for us.
Review provided by Viator
Charlottewe6042wc
Mar 26, 2024
Fantastic horse trekking in beautiful valley - Fantastic horse trekking up and across the valley. Wonderful views and interesting ride - you stop for a drink about 2/3 through the ride I did which was nice for a break. Lots of trotting and cantering which was a bit scary for the beginner in our group but they gave lots of riding tips. I would recommend for intermediate riders more than absolute beginners. Lovely staff.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Schneidlym
Mar 17, 2024
Fantastic way to spend an afternoon! - Had the best time riding sweet boy Pat. Emily was our guide and was an absolute joy! She eased some of the other guest’s nerves about cantering, and gave cool tid bits about the history and nature of the valley all throughout the trek. She also took all the photos and videos for us so we could really be present and enjoy the ride.
We got to trot & canter! The horses were all beautifully trained as well. Another cool thing is that a lot of them are ex-race horses who now get to live a wonderful life with Kelly and her team in the Cardrona Valley.
Fantastic way to spend an afternoon! Thanks team!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beverly_p
Mar 2, 2024
Superb ride - Superb ride through the high country around Cardrona. Horses were well-behaved but lively, easy to ride. Great fun to canter through the fields, great views, past cattle and deer. Fun stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a beer or beverage.
Review provided by Viator
Maryanne_s
Feb 26, 2024
Emily. equestrian Instructor - I was surprised that we were going to ride in the drizzle and was a little nervous but Emily was great. She offered me some waterproof clothes, helmet and off we went. She was a great equestrian and excellent communicator. Took a real interest in us and I was very grateful because I hadn't been on a horse in years!
Review provided by Viator
Amandadl2587nt
Feb 15, 2024
Cardrona horse trek - We had a 3 hour trek with Hannah as our guide. We had 3 fabulous horses (Lou, Denby and Willow) which were perfectly matched to our levels of experience. Hannah nicely structured the ride to make it interesting. A great and varied ride - the perfect way to explore the Cardrona countryside. A nice touch to tie up and call into the Cadrona Hotel for a beverage on the way home! Fantastic selection of photos to take home.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brownj424
Jan 1, 2024
Great horses, 10/10 guide - Review for Kat
Had a wonderful afternoon on a private riding tour with Kat. We brought a group of 7, most of us pretty inexperienced riders. Kat gave us a brief run-down on how to ride their horses, introduced us to our steeds, and we were shortly underway. We wound up through the hillside of an extensive ranch. The views across the valley were grabd, and Kat kept things exciting for us with intermittent opportunities to trot or canter. The tour was highlighted by a quick stop for a comp’d beverage at the village’s old bar/hotel, which has been beautifully maintained in its original style — a worthwhile destination. If you want to get a fix of riding, and get away from the main touristy hub of Queenstown, I can highly recommend, lots of fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Catina_k
Dec 29, 2023
Great experience - This was such a great trip! My daughter’s (20 and 11) and I did this trek and it was great. My 11 yr old and I have never been on a horse, Emily was so helpful and careful with my daughter. She was scared to keep going after the first time we started trotting, Emily got off her horse and help my daughter feel more comfortable and ran her back and forth twice so that she felt more confident and we continued the trek. I definitely recommend 10/10!
Review provided by Viator
