Horseback riding in Cappadocia, Turkey

By: Virginia Imberti Posted: 24/07/2020

In this article, we propose a horse riding holiday in exotic Turkey, where East meets West and horses have had a leading role in its history.

Turkey is a transcontinental country, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe. Although 97% of the country is Asian, European influence is evident and this cultural union is reflected in its history and people.

The boundary between the two continents is delimited by the Bosporus Strait, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, which are the communication channels between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

Turkey is surrounded by seas on three sides: the Aegean Sea, to the west, the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea, to the south.

Nearly all of the country is in Asia, in what is known as Anatolia, omprising a high central plateau and coastal plains. The European part, Rumelia, is a mountainous area.

On this article, we’ll focus on Anatolia, specifically the Cappadocia region. This place is unique in the world and famous for its 'fairy chimneys' – tall, cone-shaped rock formations that will make our rides there unforgettable.

Horseback riding in Turkey is an experience you'll never forget!

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and riders can immerse themselves not only in its impressive landscapes but also in its life style, with hundreds of years of presence in the everyday nature of local people.

To enjoy a magical horse riding holiday in this area, we recommend two options offering top-notch services, Cappadocia Trails and Horse Riding Turkey.

Cappadocia Horse Riding

Located in the mythical Capadocia. Ekrem, the ranch owner and operator is well known in the area as a mix between The Horse Whisperer and Doctor Doolittle.

His ranch, located just minutes from the centre of Goreme, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of Turkish tea while enjoying the amazing panorama of Sword Valley, with horses grazing among the ancient rock formations in the distance.

A native of Goreme and a lifetime “Turkish cowboy”, Ekrem offers his guests the best riding opportunities to fit their schedule and riding experience. Ekrem has been featured with his own page in the Lonely Planet guide for Turkey, as well as many documentaries, travel magazines and horse riding blogs.

For guests looking for more of a riding adventure, they offer multi-day rides around Cappadocia and also to the Taurus Mountains. The multi-day rides are subject to seasonal availability – please, email to check availability.

The Cappadocia Multi-Day Rides

In this ride you can experience the incredible and rare beauty of the Cappadocia region in Turkey from the back of a great and well-mannered horse.

It is the Great Canyon and an unknown moon landscape mixed together. Cappadocia has some of the most unusual and spectacular landscapes on earth.

Across its countless valleys and mountains on horseback, riders are in direct contact with the impressive wilderness of this area. This amazing region of Anatolia is better seen on horseback.

This route is a 3, 4 or 5-day ride with 6-8 hours per day on horseback exploring the sweeping areas of Cappadocia – each day covering distinct valleys with completely unique landscapes, age-old rock formations. Trails dotted with orchards, vineyards and small villages along the way.

The overnight options for the Cappadocia multi-day ride are either staying in local hotels/pensions or camping in tents each evening. It depends on the route you choose.

The Taurus Mountain Ride

The Taurus Mountains are located in the south of Turkey and divide the Mediterranean coast of the central Anatolian Plateau. This trail crosses them, with Lake Beysehir to the north and the coast to the south.

The trail is notable because of the diverse landscapes and scenery. You ride along sandy beaches and an umbrella pine forest; chestnut and arbutus trees and pomegranate orchards; rocky valleys and high pasture. You can enjoy the panorama of the majestic canyon of Köprülü.

You will also discover the Roman ruins of Selge. Set on the historic Saint Paul trail, this ancient site has astonishing rock formations and well-preserved Roman ruins - a little diamond between two mountains. These ruins mainly comprise the wall, the acropolis and the theatre, which is the best preserved monument.

You will cover around 25-38 km per day. The trail will be fast and rhythmic. Frequent canters appear along with trots, walks and some passages where you will lead your horse in difficult parts and walk by its side.

In the anarchic limestone formations that characterise this region, you ride along ancient tracks including cute narrow paths, roads, and a paved Roman-era road. Riding across some small villages, you meet many interesting locals.

This is the perfect trail for adventurous and expert riders.

Meals and accommodation during the ride

You will camp in a different location at the end of each day, with the camp set up in the middle of the national park, surrounded by beautiful views. The camps includes a large communal tent and dinners are taken the Turkish way, on the floor, sitting on a carpet around a large round tray set in the communal tent or outside by the campfire, weather allowing.

The camp also includes a shower tent with a bucket and a gas stove for heating the water. You sleep in double tipi-tents with floor mats and single camp mattresses.

In this tour, riders will set up and take down their own tents each morning, but they can ask for help if needed.

Tea, coffee and mineral water are included; wine, beer and soft drinks are available as an option, for an extra cost. Their guides speak English, French and Turkish.

The Taurus Mountain ride is a 6 day trip, with 6-8 hours in the saddle per day.

This is a challenging horseback trip, suitable for very experienced riders only, with extensive riding ability.

This ride is only available in mid-summer because the mountain areas are covered with snow the rest of the year.

For further information about this and all the rides they offer, please go to their web site: https://cappadociahorseriding.com/

Horse Riding Turkey

This is a renowned equestrian tourism supplier in Turkey with years of experience and highly recommended by the main tour operator all over the world.

Their one-week trails are an invitation to discover the silent beauty of Cappadocia's unique landscape of fairy chimneys and volcanic formations.

Their rides comprise narrow paths over the crests of these strange rock formations and galloping through the steppe or along the lush canyons, something you may have never seen or ridden before.

Along the way, you will visit cave villages, troglodytic monasteries and ancient frescoed churches that will leave you speechless. Through these exhilarating nature trails, you will discover the historical and cultural wealth of this region listed World Heritage by UNESCO.

What is their Equestrian Tourism offer?

They offer more than eight different programs, with more than a week of duration each. In this article, we will describe two of them to give our readers an overall idea of their services.

“The Great Ride”

Once a year the major horse riding centres in Cappadocia are combining forces to offer this exciting and challenging horse event to those who want to participate.

This unique itinerary combines a spectacular trail ride, an orienteering game, and an endurance race. A must for adventure and competition lovers.

It will be a challenge, involving horsemanship, orienteering, and team spirit:  the winner won’t be the fastest but the cleverest team.

You will ride in a small group of 6 riders, through a wild and spectacular landscape. Team work is everything and the relationship between rider and horse is the key to success.

Nights will be spent in comfortable camps, around the fire in a traditional, warm atmosphere, surrounded by horses and friends.

It will end with an endurance race of 40 km.

As an example: in 2020, the scheduled departure date was May 30th, ending June 7th.

• From 31 of May untill 4th of June: 5 days of trail – orienteering, no guides, the riding team and their horses.
• 5 of June: Half day at leisure at the camp and/or visit of the village of Goreme. A training course (PTV with obstacle course: mud, door, U turn, slalom). Preparation for the final endurance race: veterinary examination, horse inspections, presentation of the endurance rules and road.
  Half day free for activities at the camp or to visit the Goreme village.
• 6 of June: Endurance race, 40 km.

A not-to-be-missed experience!

Comfort Trail

For the least adventurous riders or those who want to make a lesser sacrifice, they offer this Comfort Trail leaving from the ranch between Urgup and Ortahisar, in the heart of the national park, the progressive trail takes you on a 5-day tour around Cappadocia.

From the peasants' Cappadocia of the south to the most beautiful valleys of the north, a succession of fantastic rock formations, lush canyons, high plateaux, steppe-like landscape, along with vineyards and orchards, compose a surprisingly varied route.

On the way, the villages reflect the Anatolian way of life while frescoed churches and other troglodytic treasures testify to the rich past of the area. The itinerary takes place entirely within the national park.

It is now possible to include during the week a hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia's surreal landscape at sunrise, as well as a Turkish bath experience (steam bath and massage at Urgup's traditional hamam at the end of the week).

Accommodation is in charming hotels in Cappadocia's prettiest villages, in front of which your horses are spending the night. The rider can choose between 2 kinds of accommodation: in “deluxe” rooms or in “standard” rooms.

General Information

You will be riding for 5 days, with 5 to 6 hours in the saddle each day. You’ll cover 35 km per day on average, on varied terrain. Pace is primarily walk but with long and fast canters every day.

The riders won’t lead their horse on long walks uphill or downhill; only on very few rough passages where they need to dismount from the horse and go for a short walk before getting in the saddle.

• Duration: 5 days and 6 nights (extra night to visit Cappadocia on demand) on full board.

• Number of participants: minimum 2, maximum 7. And 4 riders for 1 guide. Private group on demand.

• Physical condition: riders must be in good physical condition to take part in the progressive trail.

• Riding level: intermediate. Riders must be able to tack up and mount their horse unassisted, and be confident on rough terrain and during group canters on forward-going horses.

• Maximum weight is strictly limited to 90 kg.

• Minimum age: 18 years.

• Participation in chores: you won’t have to do anything. Their logistic team will groom and prepare the horses, so no participation is required from the riders.

• The riding day: it will start earlier in the morning; at 08:00 you´ll be in the saddle; then a big break after lunch; and a one or two hours riding in the evening at sunset.

• The balloon flight: it is optional on Thursday or Friday morning depending to the weather forecast.

You can find more information about this qualified outfitter and their equestrian tourism routes and trails in Turkey on their web site: https://www.horseriding-turkey.com/en/

/ Photos obtained: www.cappadociahorseriding.com and www.horseriding-turkey.com /

Are you also passionate about the idea of travelling the world on horseback?

Argentina is a country with a long-standing tradition of horses. Exploring the country on horseback is something unique – a highly recommended experience. In our eBook "Discover Argentina, the Land of the Gaucho, on Horseback" you will find our options to enjoy Argentina on horseback.

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