Our Destinations

Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

UNITED KINGDOM : DISCOVER WALES ON HORSEBACK...

Settled in the west part of the united Kingdom is Wales... a country of strong and rich history, where the Celtic culture is still alive trough the people and its language. We offer you to discover its breathtaking landscapes on horseback, with three trails of different length and level. - For experienced rider, the Trans Wales Trail which is 110 miles lenght and required a good riding experience and endurance (about 4 to 6 hours on saddle per day) - For intermediate and experienced rider, the Brecon Beacons National Park Trail which is 90 miles lenght (about 4 to 5 hours on saddle per day) - For novice / intermediate rider, a stationnary ride around the farmhouse : Black Mountains Trail (about 4 hours on saddle per day)

ITINERARY

TRANS WALES TRAIL

This Trail Ride offers the ultimate experience of riding almost the length and breadth of Wales, on the most reliable of horses, the native Welsh Cob, through some of the most historic, beautiful and unspoilt country in Britain. The Trans Wales Trail is 6 days riding 7 nights accommodation and the programme runs Saturday - Saturday. This is the ultimate riding experience crossing form the Black Mountains to the sea for experienced riders only.

Our longest trail takes you across Wales from the English border to the Irish sea in 6 days. The route passes through 4 mountain ranges - The Black Mountains, Mynydd Eppynt, the Elan Valley and over Plynlimon before a final gallop on the beach near Aberystwyth.

The Trans Wales Trail offers a challenge to riders with experience. The route uses mostly forgotten bridle-ways, some open moorland crossings and several trails over private land. Riders must have good stamina and be able to ride at speed for this trail.

Day 1 - Saturday
Meeting to our farm house in the afternoon. Guests are welcomed at the Turner's (your host all along this ride) comfortable farmhouse late on the afternoon when riders and horses meet. Later you'll enjoy one of Maria's delightful Anglo-Bavarian dishes and a glass of wine (or two). Night at the farmhouse.

Day 2- Sunday
This day involves a gentle circuit of the local mountains. We ride 5 miles to lunch and afterwards a few more through the beautiful Black Mountains brings us back to base. Diner and night at the farm.

Day 3 - Monday
We set off in the direction of the coast. Eight miles of rolling farming country precedes 12 miles of fast open moors - without doubt a horseman's paradise. With luck we stop at 2 inns for refreshments before arriving at the comfortable 16th century Caer Beris Manor Country Hotel in Buith Wells for the night.

Day 4 - Tuesday
We keep west of the river Wye; take lunch at a 13th Cent. pub, (the oldest inn in Powys) and see rare breeds of animals and birds. The night is spent in a comfortable hotel in Rhayader where one can do some souvenir hunting!

Day 5 - Wednesday
We cross the Lakeland of Wales - following the Elan Valley for 15 miles; picnic lunch and a final 5 miles through a pine forest. The night stop is at the Blue Bell Inn, where we can relax with a drink, hot bath and a good dinner.

Day 6 - Thursday
Today is marathon day - 26 miles to the sea crossing mountains with no trail to follow and still arriving around 5:00 pm. After a refreshing paddle and a gallop on the firm sand you and the horses will be glad of the 90 mile lift home, stopping en-route for dinner at the Blue Bell Inn.

Day 7 - Friday
Optional Day / half day ride around the Trans Wales base giving the option of an afternoon checking out one of the local towns such as the second hand book capital of the world Hay-on-Wye or Gateway to Wales - Abergavenny. This evening we can plan new Trans Wales adventures, perhaps watch the video of ourselves crossing Plynlimon the previous day in the luxury of the Cwmfforest lounge or purchase a few souvenir polo-shirts, etc.

Day 8 - Saturday
Departure in the morning.
It is time to say goodbye to our horses and guides.

N.B. : Be informed that our guide reserved the right to transfer client to our Black Mountain programm if he considers that your riding skill isn't enough to follow this ride.

BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK TRAIL

This trail takes average fitness riders 90 miles over 5 days staying in Brecon, the villages of Talybont and Llanthony. The riding is not too fast, so just relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery from the back of a friendly welsh cob. The National Park Trail is 6 days riding 7 nights accommodation. The programme runs Saturday - Saturday. This trail is a figure of 8 loop around the Brecon Beacons National Park and guests will spend 2 nights away form our base. This trail is not suitable for Beginner or Novice riders.

Day 1 - Saturday
Arriving around tea-time, the programe starts with a walk to see our famous Welsh Cobs peacefully grazing in the meadows on their day off.
After, we will have dinner and stay for the night at the farmhouse.

Day 2 - Sunday
We ride about 4 miles to the Farmer's Arms in Cwmdu before lunch, returning through the mountains with views of the Brecon Beacons - about 10 miles for the day. Any horse changes are made now if necessary. Dinner and accommodation at the farmhouse.

Day 3 - Monday
The horses are taken to Brecon where we ride over the Beacons to Talybont. The horses spend the night up on the hill overlooking Talybont and we return to our base via The Star Inn for a quick pint.

Day 4 - Tuesday
We travel down via Llanganidir crossing the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal (one of the first built in Britain) to Bwlch where we stop for lunch at the New Inn. Then we ride over Llangorse mountain for some fast canter's on the top, coming back down the steep "Snake's Pass" before returning to base.

Day 5 - Wednesday
After we change horses we ride over Rhiw Trumau down the old coach road to the Red Lion Inn at Llanbedr. We then follow a valley path in the shadow of sugarloaf mountain to Forest Coal Pit, then ride across Bryn Arw finishing day at the Skirrid Inn the oldest pub in Wales, near Abergavenny.

Day 6 - Thursday
We ride up Hatteral Ridge on 6th Century King Offa’s Dyke path, where to the right glorious views of England are afforded and to the left the vastness of Wales and the Black Mountains can be seen. We drop down into Herefordshire to visit the Goat Company farm where there is the chance to buy Angora goat clothing. Then ride up on to Black Hill before descending Hay Bluff and Cusop Dingle toward a homely nights stay at The Kilverts Hotel in Hay on Wye.

Day 7 - Friday
Friday's route in the Black Mountains means a steep descent into the Wye Valley where we picnic or visit the Three Horseshoes before a fast ride back to our first farmhouse to complete the tour - the gallop here is truly sensational!

Day 8 - Saturday
Riders leave after breakfast, having said goodbye to their horses!

This trail will put you through your paces over the most varied of terrains. Mountain and moorland tracks, valleys and pasture land, we will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of the Welsh countryside at all paces!

We help to improve outdoor riding skills by using the right horse for the job. Our horses are suited to the rough, hilly but firm ground of mid-Wales. Thus a slow canter is more nimble and suitable than a fast trot on undulating ground.

Throughout the week guests learn horse sense and necessary skills. These include catching, grooming, tacking up and cleaning of their own individual horse. They also take care of their tack at the end of the rides. Daily routine involves preparing the horses for an 11 o'clock departure. We mount and find that riders are most relaxed after they have ridden all paces on their mounts. Their balance improves and the horses sort out their preferred order. We mostly ride in double file and as we trot into town everything stops for us. Our Cobs are well known and respected throughout Mid-Wales.

Sunday to Friday we ride different trails each day between 8 and 15 miles a day and lunch at village inns or remote picnic sites high up in the Black Mountains - traveling further and faster each day returning back to our base in the evening.

You ride up and down steep slopes, cross lofty summits, wade rocky rivers, pass through dense woods and see the whole of wilderness Wales. Our cobs have fast acceleration, perfect handling and automatic survival instinct ... Running on grass and water - they're more environmentally friendly than any machine!

At the week's end you will a more relaxed, confident and knowledgeable rider be ready to try another of our longer and more challenging trails but away from base this time!

*Please note that on Wednesday evening our Farm Kitchen is closed. There are many restaurants and pubs locally which we are happy to recommend to you. Evening meal on this night is not included in the trail package.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

Horses
We have a herd of about 40 Welsh Cob. Most have lived on the farm since foals.
They are selected for temperament and character.

Size range from 14 to 16 hands (eq. 1m42 to 1m62).

Tack
Saddles are the very comfortable english type.

Required riding level
It is not necessary to have a high technical knowledge but an ability to ride in a balanced manner is helpful to the horse and safer for the rider.
In general, rider fitness and the key to comfort and the thrill of adventure will always justify the efforts.

We don't accept any begginers or novice riders on the Trans Wales Trail and on the Beacons National Park Trail.
Weight limit : 90kg (eq. 14 stones)
Height limit : 2m (eq. 6 feets 7 inch)

Young people can join us with a minimum of 15 years old.

Booking under reserve for rider more than 90kg weight

Riding hat, boots and riding trousers can be lent, please ask us when booking. Some raincoats also are avalable for free.

YOUR GUIDES

You will be guided by Paul most of the time. He have took the business over from his father, Michael, several years ago.

ACCOMMODATION

Accomodation
On the Black Mountains, you will be accomodated at the comfortable farmhouse of our guide.
On the Trans Wales and Brecon National Park trails, you will divide your nights between the farmhouse and quaint guest houses and hotels located along the route of the trail. Rooms are booked on a shared twin basis, unless doubles or singles are specified on time of booking.

Single supplement may be payable.

Meals
Alls meals are fully inclusive in your holiday and are cooked by Maria, who often imparts a wonderful Bavarian flavour into her dishes. We do not offer special diet unless they are expressly requested at the time of cooking. Trail hotels do offer more variety. Guests are invited to bring their own bottles for consumption at Cwmfforest.

DATES AND RATES

Single room supplement : 230 €
(Applies for riders who ask for a single room. For those who are willing to share, will not pay the supplement even if they are finally in a single room).
.

This trail can be follow by non riders by mountain bike.
Price : half of the riding trail rate.

Option :

- the trail as describes on full board,
- the financial guarantee of all deposits sent to Randocheval.

- flights and airport taxes,
- drinks,
- airport transfers,
- dinner of day 5 on the Black Mountains Trail (you'll have choice between different restaurants and pubs),
- the organization of a possible visit of the country before or after the trail,
- any other services,
- optional insurance: more informations.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Charlène for any enquiry !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

You can be met at either Abergavenny coach or railway stations. An international meeting point has also been arranged (for parties of 2 or more people) at Heathrow airport.
An extra charge is require for the transfer from the airport, please contact us to book transfers.

It's also possible to rent a car to Cardiff or London airports. 1h10 drive from Cardiff, and 2h45 from London. Consult us for any enquiry.

Formalities
Contact your ambassy. For European people, the Identity card is enought.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..

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