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Cardrona Valley Trek: Scenic Mountain Horse Ride
5.0
271 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.
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:
24 hours
Highlights
- 2125 Cardrona Valley Road - Experience an exhilarating ride up into the mountains, followed by a descent and a river crossing to the Cardrona Hotel for a refreshing drink. The return journey follows the river, offering numerous opportunities for trotting and cantering. When booking, please specify your horse riding proficiency, as this ride…
- 2125 Cardrona Valley Road - Experience an exhilarating ride up into the mountains, followed by a descent and a river crossing to the Cardrona Hotel for a refreshing drink. The return journey follows the river, offering numerous opportunities for trotting and cantering. When booking, please specify your horse riding proficiency, as this ride involves more than just walking. Comfort with these activities is essential.
This ride is not advised for complete beginners or young children. For a family-friendly option, please consider “The Gold Discovery Trail.”
What's Included
- Beverage
- Professional guide
- Use of helmet
- Beverage
- Professional guide
- Use of helmet
What's Not Included
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- 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…
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 BEGINNERS OR SMALL CHILDREN - see “The Gold Discovery Trail”
- WE CANNOT WAIT IF YOU ARE LATE!! Please arrive on time for your scheduled tour, refunds will not be issued for late arrivals/ no shows.
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’
Please note WE CANNOT WAIT IF YOU ARE LATE!! Please arrive on time for your tour, refunds will not be issued for late arrivals/ no shows.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(271 Ratings)
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Meriella27
Dec 21, 2025
The best horse riding experience I’ve had in years! This adventurous ride is perfect for so many awesome canters - I’d initially booked on the gold rush ride as I’d not ridden in a few years and was feeling a bit nervous about getting back in the saddle. The stable had suggested changing to the intermediate ride to the pub instead and I’m so grateful they did. Our guides Hannah and Sophie got everyone introduced and comfortable with their horses and we got a demonstration as well as everyone doing a “test ride” of their horses. The cardrona tracks are so beautiful and in between blasting about we got told loads about the history of the region. The horses are all absolutely gorgeous and they seemed to be enjoying all the canter spots too - special thanks to Demby who was an absolute dream horse to ride! I felt safe and comfortable during our trek and the guides were excellent at checking everyone was happy before we set off at faster paces. Huge thank you to Hannah, Sophie and Demby for making this the best possible reintroduction to horse riding. I’d definitely recommend this stable as the care for the horses is paramount and the guides are so lovely. Also Ettie the cat is the cutest! I’d definitely love to go riding here again next time I’m in the area
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Charles_r
Dec 19, 2025
Absolutely wonderful... - Absolutely wonderful time. Sasha and Phoebe were great guides. You’ll have a great time if they are leading your group. The horses were the best - so sweet! Def an amazing tour!!!
Review provided by Viator
Jena_c
Dec 18, 2025
Beautiful Experience! - I had a lovely time on Stu! He had a personality and kept everyone in line. The trek is through mild hills with lovely scenery- sheep, deer (a baby was born during our trek!), cows, and lupins galore. Truly a beautiful and memorable experience. The horses were ready for the trots/canters in designated safer areas to do so, which was fun. Also, the horses looked happy and well cared for. Our guide was also super nice and informative. I highly recommend this experience!
Review provided by Viator
K8mckenna
Dec 1, 2025
Best horse ride ever - We booked before our trip to NZ. We travelled from Wanaka on our way to Queenstown via The Cardrona and we had such a great day.
We didn't book a private tour but luckily for us no one else had booked on so it was just us and Hannah as our guide. I rode Charlie and my husband rode Willow.
The safety element and briefing was very good.
This is the best horse ride we have ever been on. Everything about it was brilliant and we had such a great time. Hannah was very knowledgeable and was guided by us and our ability , we only really ride on holiday so arent pros, the ride has a great mix of walk trot and cantering.
We felt like cowboys heading into the cardrona pub for a beer on the ride.
I wouldn't hesitate to book again if we are ever back in the area.
Hannah also took great pictures of us throughout the ride which we purchased afterwards.
Thank you again we loved it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aimee-689
Nov 24, 2025
Wonderful view, wonderful experience. Highly recommend - Hanna made the experience so good, I was super nervous but it was a great experience overall and had such a good time. Thanks team
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pietr0l0renz0
Nov 11, 2025
Healthy horses and nice ride to the pub - Beautiful afternoon activity. Enjoyed riding to Cardrona pub and having a beer. Many thanks to our guide Hannah and horses.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lindepenn
Oct 24, 2025
Riding experience with stunning views. - If you are in Wānaka or the neighbourhood of Cardrona and you like horses, this is your chance to see the beautiful environment “ between the ears”.
The horses look very well taken care of. I had the privilege to ride Dembe a lovely 6 years old gelding, very welbehaved and playful fouraging if there was an opportunity. Hanna, the instructor, explained very clear at the start what to do. She also made lots of foto’s which you can purchase should you whish. After riding though the farm fields and Hills we stopped ar the Cardrona hotel to have a drink, while the horses were being guarded. It was a super experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ericya7085qg
Sep 20, 2025
10/10 would ride again - We booked a horseback tour about a day before. Ended up being just us, with our amazing guide, phoebe. The tour took roughly 3hr45min, included a beer at the Cardrona hotel and Phoebe was awesome about telling us the cities history. She was flexible with our intermediate experience, so we did quite a bit of cantering.
10/10, there’s a reason this experience has so many 5 star reviews. Bonus points the shop cat is very friendly and we saw a VERY fresh calf!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
200neridan
Aug 15, 2025
Exciting ride for competent riders - So many trail rides disappoint when you’re an experienced rider - this is not one of them! Lovely trained horses, spectacular scenery and plenty of opportunities to canter the trails. Kel is a great, accommodating guide. Loved it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amandita1986
Jul 3, 2025
Saddles & Schooners: Just Your Average Ride to the Pub! - My partner and I had a break from the slopes and did the Pub Trail ride. As my partner has little experience they catered to his experience. We managed to canter in parts and fortunately there was a good mix of pace. The horses were great! It was a beautiful day, beautiful experience that i recommend to everyone! Worth it and a great natural way to see Cardrona Hotel which is a great little pub!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
