Border to Coast

Ride 100 miles across Wales from border to coast.

Join a group on set dates or hire your own guide.

Overview

Our flagship six day, five night Border to Coast trail starts from Freerein HQ on the Welsh/English Border in the Wye Valley, and finishes on the sands of the Dovey Estuary, Ynyslas.  This is a real trail riding expedition, covering 100 miles, crossing Wales along unmarked tracks and trails through wild, remote hills and valleys, staying overnight at small inns and guest houses along the way.

The Riding

The route to the coast is very varied, with stony tracks, open hills, river crossings, green lanes, and so on. The trails are a mixture of little used bridleways, old council roads and timeworn drovers routes crossing the Cambrian Mountains. The mixture of terrain means a varied riding pace each day – there will be lots of trotting to cover the distance and canters wherever the terrain allows.  There will be points where it is necessary to dismount and walk with your horse, such as steep down hill tracks which may be loose underfoot.  On your 6th and final day of the trail, you will arrive on the beach at Ynyslas – here the group can enjoy an exhilarating canter on the sands.

Level of Riding & Fitness

You must be happy and confident cantering in open spaces to join this ride.

You will be riding between 6-7 hours each day, so riders must have a good level of current riding fitness. You must be physically fit enough to enjoy long trots and long days in the saddle on this riding expedition.

The Horses

You will be matched to one of our incredible herd of fit, friendly, forward going trail riding horses and ponies.  They are all a mixture of hardy breeds native to the UK. They live out all year round, working for 7 months of the year and enjoying a 5 month break over the winter months. They love their job and relish their happy, healthy lifestyle.

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Guides & Group Sizes

All Freerein guides are full time, paid adults who all have an extensive knowledge of our horses, routes and the hills. They are relaxed, friendly & professional.

Strict maximum of 8 guests per trail.

Tack & Equipment

Each horse has its own individually fitted English tack, customised and fitted professionally for Freerein.

All horses are ridden in simple snaffle bits.

There is no luggage delivery on this trail.

Each rider is supplied with our specially designed expedition saddle bags for spare clothes and personal belongings, and a smaller saddle bag for food and drinks. The amount of luggage each rider can take is roughly equal to one aircraft carry on sized bag/case. We also supply liners for your main expedition bags – these are 100% waterproof and will keep your belongings dry from the Welsh weather. Brushes and hoof picks will be dispersed throughout the group which will be shared on trail.

Accommodation & Food

All individuals are automatically booked a room for single occupancy.  Accommodation is at B&Bs and Inns along the route.  They are all basic, quirky, characterful, family run establishments that offer a warm welcome to trail riders.  Expect to be fed well on this trip; food is all homemade using locally sourced ingredients where possible.  All accommodation places can cater for any dietary requirements.

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Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrive at Freerein HQ for 8:30am. Meet your guide, your fellow riders and pack your saddle bags. Meet your horse and prepare them for a day out on trail. Out on trail all day. Explore the open tracks of the Begwns and Llanbedr hill, passing through the Village of Painscastle where one of the biggest battles in Welsh History took place in 1198. After lunch, cross up and over Aberedw Hill to arrive at the horse’s accommodation for the night. Feed and untack before a short taxi ride into the agricultural town of Builth Wells, where you will spend the night.

    Total length: 16 miles

  • Day 2

    Enjoy your first welsh breakfast of the week before being picked up and taken to the horses. Feed, groom and tack up your horse. Out on trail all day.

    Climb up to Pant-y-llyn lake high above Builth Wells, and follow the northern stretch of the Mynydd Eppynt down to Abergwesyn, where the horses will stay the night. A short taxi ride will take the group to the town of Llanwrtyd, where you will stay at a local inn.

    Total length: 22 miles

  • Day 3

    Feed, groom and tack up. Out on trail all day. Today’s route travels through the mid part of the Cambrian Mountains, across very remote terrain.

    Follow the ancient Monk roads, crossing large river fords, eventually dropping down to the historic Abbey at Strata Florida to stay the night at nearby Pontrhydfendigaid. Horses stay a short walk away with a local farmer.

    Total length: 18 miles

  • Day 4

    Out on trail all day. Ride through the small town of Fair-Rhos and out across a deserted valley, passing the remains of an ancient marketing village. Enjoy a peaceful ride through the Bwlchgwallter forest before crossing the bridge over the Dologau waterfall. Pose for a photo under the old masonry Arch built in 1810 to mark the Golden Jubilee of George III.

    After lunch, follow the river out onto open moorland and down into the town of Ponterwyd, where you will stay the night at a local hotel.

    Total length: 20 miles

  • Day 5

    Out on trail all day. Follow the old mountain road up past Dinas Reservoir, on to cross the dam at Nant-y-moch reservoir at the base of Plynlimon – the highest point of the Cambrian Mountains.

    Get your first glimpse of the sea before heading down into the valley in Ceulanamaesmawr. Follow the bridleways looking out over Cardigan Bay before arriving at your horses grazing for the night. A short taxi ride will take the group to the town of Aber.

    Total length: 17 miles

  • Day 6

    A shorter ride over the hills before dropping down into the coastal plain & the seaside town of Borth. Enjoy a trot up the high street before arriving on the beach! Time for a canter and a splash in the sea before arriving at your final meeting point.

    Untack the horses and enjoy a cup of tea or an ice cream. Pick up is at lunchtime. Arrive back to Freerein HQ for tea and cake and a farewell to the horses to finish around 3.30pm.

    Total length: 7 miles

Get a free Border to Coast mini-brochure in PDF format.

"Such beautiful varied landscape and fantastic views, the trip of a lifetime."

Border to Coast

6 Day X Wales
From
£pp
£2639pp
Book by 6th November 2022 and save £pp

£2639pp all inclusive
[Single Occupancy £42 per person per night]

Booking Conditions

Price includes:

  • Six full days trail riding
  • Five nights accommodation on trail
  • All Breakfasts
  • All Packed Lunches
  • All Evening Meals
  • Arrangements for duration of holiday
  • Trail riding horse, tack & saddlebags
  • Backup as required
  • Services of guide

Price excludes:

  • All drinks at any bar
  • Tips

Hire Your Own Guide

This trail is available as a bespoke product where you hire your own guide just for you and those you book with. The cost for hiring your own guide is £263 per day per group + trail cost pp.

Choose your start date: