About this tour
When Ben from our team saddled up in Gran Canaria's volcanic interior, we found a genuinely solid horse trek that doesn't oversell itself. You're riding through proper mountain trails with views that sweep across Maspalomas and its famous dunes below — the landscape flips between craggy volcanic rock and tropical plantations, and it feels properly remote despite being on a tourist island. The outfit runs tight operations with one guide per six riders, mixed-ability horses, and sensible safety gear. A full hour in the saddle is enough to feel like you've actually ridden somewhere, not just trotted around a paddock.
Highlights
- Volcanic ridgeline trails with unobstructed views to Maspalomas dunes
- Guides manage groups at a genuine 1:6 ratio, keeping pace personal
- Horses suit everyone — sturdy stock, calm temperament, mixed sizes available
- Open countryside riding feels spacious, not crowded or artificial
- Tropical vegetation and geological drama on one trek
- Safety helmets and vests provided without fussing
What to expect
You'll rock up, get fitted with helmet and vest (kids get the extra support), then meet your horse — expect a quick chat about your experience level before mounting. The guide briefs the group on basic commands and pacing. Once moving, the trail climbs steadily through volcanic scrub and into greener terrain with actual views; it's not a steep slog, but you'll feel the gradient. The landscape opens up dramatically around the 30-minute mark when you can see the dunes system sprawling below — that's when you realise why people rate this ride.
The pace stays steady rather than leisurely or rushed. Guides actively manage spacing and horse temperaments, so nobody's stuck behind a plodder or kicked along too fast. An hour genuinely flies, and you'll have worked your seat a bit but won't be wrecked unless you're already saddle-sore. Weather is usually calm at altitude, though winter winds can pick up.
What travellers say
- Six-rider groups keep the experience personal and well-supervised
- Mountain trails deliver genuine volcanic landscape and distant dune views
- Mixed-ability horses cater to beginners and experienced riders equally
- An hour is long enough to feel like a real ride, not a taster
- Safety gear provided; staff actively manage group pacing and safety
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or those with spinal/cardiac issues
- Early morning departures standard; not ideal for late risers
- Saddle soreness likely for infrequent riders despite professional handling
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is proper riding on actual terrain, not a tourist carousel. The guide-to-rider ratio keeps things manageable and safe. Mixed-ability horses mean genuine beginners feel secure and experienced riders get a decent mount. Views are legitimately worth the booking alone.
A full hour requires basic fitness — you're not sitting passively. The trek isn't suitable for pregnant travellers, anyone with spinal issues, or poor cardiovascular health; there's a 110kg weight limit. Early starts are typical for these operations. Expect some muscle soreness if you've not ridden in years. Groups can be mixed-nationality, so instruction works best if you speak basic English or Spanish. Gratuities aren't included, so budget accordingly if your guide earns it.
Bring water, wear long trousers and sturdy footwear. Tours run daily (weather permitting). Groups average 6–12 riders. Peak season (December–March) books faster.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.