Horse riding in Cappadocia, Turkey

In this article we suggest a horse riding vacation in exotic Turkey, where East and West merge and horses play a leading role in its history.

Turkey is a country that is located in both Europe and Asia, and although 97% of it is Asian territory, the European influence is present and this cultural union is reflected in its history and its people.

The border between the two continents is defined by the Bosphorus Strait, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, which are the channel of communication 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.

Most of Turkey is located in Asia, in what is known as Anatolia, and is characterized by its high central plateau and coastal plains. In the European part of the country is the mountainous area of Rumelia.

And it is Anatolia, specifically in Cappadocia, where we will focus in this article. A unique place, with its famous “chimneys”, tall cone-shaped rock formations that will make our horseback rides there unforgettable.

Riding through Turkish lands is an experience you will never forget!

This area is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and we riders will find ourselves immersed not only in a breathtaking landscape, but also in its lifestyle, with hundreds of years of presence in the daily life of local residents.

Cappadocia Horse Riding

Located in mythical Cappadocia. Ekrem, the ranch's owner and operator, is well known in the area as a cross between The Horse Whisperer and Doctor Doolittle.

His ranch, located a few minutes from the center of Goreme, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cup of Turkish tea while taking in the incredible panorama of the Valley of the Sword with horses grazing among the ancient rock formations in the distance.

Originally from Goreme and a lifelong “Turkish cowboy”, Ekrem offers his guests the best horseback riding opportunities to suit everyone's level. Ekrem has been featured on his own page in the Lonely Planet guide to Turkey, as well as in many documentaries, travel magazines and equestrian blogs.

For guests looking for more of an equestrian adventure, they offer multi-day trips around Cappadocia and also to the Taurus Mountains. Multi-day trips are subject to seasonal availability, it is recommended to send an email to check availability.

Multi-day horse riding adventures in Cappadocia

On this route you will experience the incredible beauty of the Cappadocia region on the back of a well-trained horse.

Something like a mixture between the Grand Canyon and an unknown lunar landscape. Cappadocia has some of the most unusual and spectacular landscapes in the world.

Crossing the countless valleys and mountains on horseback brings riders into contact with the breathtaking beauty of the area. This amazing region of central Anatolia is best seen on horseback.

These routes last 3, 4 or 5 days. There are several options, with 6-8 hours a day on horseback, exploring the wide open areas of Cappadocia, its trails, different valleys with completely unique landscapes, and centuries-old rock formations. The route is dotted with orchards, vineyards and small villages.

Accommodation options for the nights are in hotels, local guesthouses or tents, the options vary, depending on the route chosen.

The ride to the Taurus Mountains

The Taurus Mountains are located in southern Turkey and divide the Mediterranean coast from the central Anatolian plateau. With Lake Beysehir to the north and the coast to the south, this trail crosses them.

The trail is remarkable for its diverse landscapes. You will ride through sandy beaches and pine forests, pomegranate and chestnut orchards and strawberry trees, rocky valleys and high pastures. You will enjoy the view of the majestic Koprulu Canyon.

This equestrian route will take you to visit the Roman ruins of Selge. Located on the historic St. Paul's Trail, this site has amazing rock formations and very well-preserved Roman ruins, a little treasure sheltered from time between two mountains. The remains consist mainly of the wall, the acropolis, and the theater, which is the best-preserved monument.

You will cover about 25-38 km per day. This trail is fast and most of the time you will ride at a good pace. Frequent gallops are interspersed with trots, long walks and some passages where you will have to guide your horse by walking alongside it through the difficult sections.

As you cross the limestone formations that characterize this region, you will follow very old and narrow paths but with a well-preserved road, paved from the Roman era. Riding through small villages, you will meet many interesting local people.

It is a perfect proposal for adventurous and competent riders.

Food and accommodation during the route

You camp each night in a different location, in the heart of the national park, with beautiful views. There is a large communal tent for dinner and you eat in the traditional Turkish way, sitting on rugs on the floor around a large table. If the weather is good, you can sit outside around the campfire.

There is also a shower tent with a bucket shower and a gas heater to warm up the water. You will sleep in double tents with mats and individual mattresses.

On this route, each rider is responsible for setting up and taking down their tent every day, although they can help each other if necessary.

Tea, coffee and mineral water are included, but wine, beer and soft drinks are paid for on site. The guides speak English, French and Turkish.

The trip to the Taurus Mountains is a 6-day trip with 6-8 hours on horseback each day.

It is a challenging horseback trip, only suitable for very experienced riders with great riding skills.

This trip is only available in midsummer as the mountain areas are covered in snow the rest of the year.

Find out about all the routes they offer by visiting their website: https://cappadociahorseriding.com/

Horse Riding Turkey

This is a very well-known equestrian tourism provider in Turkey, with years of experience and highly recommended by the world's leading tour operators.

Their week-long trails are an invitation to discover the silent beauty of Cappadocia's unique landscape of fairytale formations of volcanic origin.

Its routes along narrow paths over the crests of these strange rock formations, galloping through the steppe and through the lush canyons, are something unheard of that you will see for the first time.

We will come across cave villages, troglodyte monasteries and ancient churches with paintings and frescoes that will leave you speechless. Traveling along the horse trails that their programs propose, you will discover the historical and cultural richness of this region of the world, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

What is your Equestrian Tourism proposal?

They offer more than 8 different programs, all lasting more than a week. In this article, we are going to develop two of them, to give you a general idea of the main characteristics of their services.

“The Great Ride”

Every year, the main horse riding centers in Cappadocia join forces to offer this exciting and challenging horse event to all groups that dare to participate.

This unique itinerary combines a spectacular route along difficult bridle paths with an orienteering game and an endurance race. It is an event that horse riders who love adventure and competition cannot miss.

It is a challenge that involves horse riding, orienteering and team spirit, and the winner will not be the fastest but the most intelligent.

You will ride with a small group of 6 riders through a wild and spectacular landscape. Teamwork will be 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 and warm atmosphere, surrounded by horses and friends.

The challenge will culminate in a 40 km endurance race.

As an example, in 2020, it was planned to start on May 30th and end on June 7th.

May 31st to June 4th: 5 days of trail riding - orienteering, without guides, the team of riders and their horses.
June 5: A training course (PTV with obstacle course: mud, gate, U-turn, slalom). Preparation for the final endurance race: veterinary exam, horse inspections, presentation of endurance rules and roads. Half day off at the camp or visit to the village of Goreme.
June 6: Endurance race, 40 km.

Simply put, an event not to be missed.

Comfort Trail

For the less adventurous or those willing to make a little less of a sacrifice, they offer the Comfort Trail program, leaving from the ranch between Urgup and Ortahisar, in the heart of the national park, this trail takes you on a 5-day tour of the best of Cappadocia.

From the rural Cappadocia of the south to the most beautiful valleys of the north, a succession of fantastic rock formations, lush canyons, high plateaus, steppe landscapes, together with vineyards and orchards, make up a surprisingly varied route.

Along the way, the villages reflect the Anatolian way of life, while the churches with their frescoes and other troglodytic treasures bear witness to the area's rich past. The entire route is within the national park.

As an extra, you can enjoy a hot air balloon flight over the surreal landscape of Cappadocia at sunrise, as well as a Turkish bath experience (steam bath and massage in the traditional hammam of Urgup at the end of the week).

Accommodation is in charming hotels in the most beautiful villages of Cappadocia, in front of which your horses will spend the night. Riders can choose between two types of accommodation, in a “deluxe” room or a “standard” room.

General Information

You will ride for 5 days and spend around 6 hours a day in the saddle. You will cover an average of 35 km per day, over varied terrain. The pace is mainly walking, but with long, fast canters every day.

On some occasions, not many, the riders will guide their horse on short walks up or downhill, where you will have to get off the horse and take a short walk before being able to get back on the saddle.

Duration of the program: 5 days and 6 nights (extra night available to explore Cappadocia on request) with full board. Number of participants: minimum 2, maximum 7. For every 4 riders there will be one guide. They also offer the possibility of organizing private groups. Physical condition required: riders must be in good physical condition to participate in this program.
Intermediate level of horse riding. Riders must be able to mount and dismount their horse unaided and be confident on uneven terrain, during group gallops on spirited and lively horses.
Maximum weight allowed for riders is strictly limited to 90 kg.
Minimum age: 18 years.

Tasks to be carried out: none, the logistics team will prepare and saddle the horses daily, so no participation is required from the riders.
Daily schedule: the route will start early, at 8 a.m., followed by a break for lunch and in the afternoon you will ride for one or two hours until sunset.
The balloon trip: this is optional, on Thursday or Friday mornings, depending on the weather forecast.

More information about this qualified supplier and their proposals for equestrian tourism routes and trails in Turkey is available on their website: https://www.horseriding-turkey.com/en/