How To: Find Your Way On A Self Guided Trail
How to Find Your Way on a Self-Guided Riding Trail
Curious about how riders manage to navigate across the wild, open hills of Wales without a guide leading the way? At FreeRein, our self-guided riding holidays are all about freedom and adventure—but with just the right amount of backup to help you feel confident every step (and hoofbeat) of the way.
Here’s how it all works, from the moment you arrive to your last farewell.
Morning Check-In and Getting Set
Most self-guided riders arrive at FreeRein HQ (aka the stables) around 9am with all their luggage on the first day. First stop: reception. While your bags are labelled and prepped for transport to your evening stop, you’ll pack your saddle bags with the essentials for the day—your packed lunch (provided by us), a first aid kit, water, and anything else you might want while out on the trail.
You’ll also be added to a WhatsApp group with the Freerein Duty Manager. This is your lifeline for the week—use it to share your location, check in, or ask questions. Before heading out, we’ll make sure you’re fully comfortable with how it works.
Meet Your Horse, Plan Your Route
Next, it’s time to head to the yard to meet your horses. You’ll get to know your mount, spend time grooming and tacking up, and begin to feel like a team before setting off.
Then it’s back to reception for a hot cup of tea or coffee and a look through the day’s route. Every rider receives paper route instructions and maps (in a waterproof map bag you wear on your body), and many guests find it helpful to plot the day’s ride on their OS Maps app too. It’s a good moment to get familiar with your route—and your horse!
Off You Go!
Once you’ve tightened your girths and mounted up, you’re free to ride at your own pace. There’s no guide leading the way—you decide when to trot, when to stop for lunch, and when to take in the views. You’ll check in with us around 3pm by sharing your live location, so we know you’re doing well, but otherwise the day is yours.
Arriving at Your Grazing Spot
When you reach your grazing for the night, your horse’s evening feed and grooming kit will be ready and waiting. You’ll untack, settle your horse in, and then depending on your accommodation, either walk, get picked up, or hop in a taxi to your overnight stay.
Spend the evening however you like—dinner, a hot bath, or maybe just poring over the next day’s trail with a sense of excitement and anticipation.
The Final Ride
On your final day, you’ll ride back to FreeRein HQ, untack your horse, give them a final feed, and say your goodbyes. Then it’s back to reception for another cup of tea or coffee, and time to collect your luggage. Many guests pop into the shop at this point for a browse (and often a treat to remember the ride by).
A Real Adventure—with the Right Support
Self-guided riding with FreeRein is the perfect balance of independence and support. You’ll never feel rushed, but you’ll always know help is on hand if needed. With detailed maps, a reliable communication system, and all logistics taken care of, you’re free to focus on what really matters: riding through breathtaking landscapes, bonding with your horse, and enjoying the adventure of a lifetime on a real trail riding holiday.
Ready to ride your own path? Explore our self-guided holidays today.
