Four hours of horse power near Lake Como. This expert-focused trek is built for riders who want lake-and-mountain vistas plus well-maintained Arabian horses, guided with real confidence and local storytelling.

The ride runs in two big chunks: hours of trail time, then a farmhouse break to reset before you head back out toward the lakes. One thing to consider first, though: this is not a casual, slow walk. You’ll be expected to handle trot and even gallop on uneven ground, and it hinges on good weather.

Key Highlights (Before You Saddle Up)

• Small group size (max 4 travelers), so you get more attention in the saddle.
• Two 2-hour riding segments, with a farmhouse stop in the middle for food and a breather.
• Lake Como plus Lago di Annone views, with mountain silhouettes in the background.
• Martina and Riccardo guide the experience, including engaging tales about the area.
• Provided riding safety gear, including a cap, gaiters, and a protective vest.
• A proper lunch stop at a farmhouse, plus drinks (including one glass of red wine).

Why This Expert Horseback Trek Works Between Two Lakes

This is the kind of Lake Como outing you plan when you do not just want to look at the scenery, you want to move through it. The route is designed around that special Lombardy feeling: water below, hills or peaks rising close by, and forests that make the whole area feel more private than it looks from the road.

What I like most is the balance between speed and atmosphere. You get a real rhythm for expert riders, but the tour also keeps you in the “slow down and notice” zones, like shaded forest paths and viewpoints where Lake Como and Lago di Annone suddenly widen out in front of you. It makes the ride feel more like an active day in the countryside than a one-track photo stop.

You’ll also notice the experience is built around horses that are cared for, and the guides seem to understand how to match the rider to the ride. Past riders specifically called out Arabian horses as a standout, with individual horses like Zambesi (described as playful) mentioned by name. That attention to horse temperament matters when you are not doing a beginner pony stroll.

Saddle-Up Logistics in Galbiate: Time, Group Size, and Getting There

The meeting point is 23851 Galbiate LC, Italy, and the tour starts at 9:30 am. It ends back at the same spot, so you are not spending the afternoon figuring out how to get around after your ride.

The group is capped at four travelers, which is a big deal for an expert ride. Fewer people means less waiting, more time on the trails, and quicker coaching if you need it. It also helps the guide manage the horses and spacing when the pace picks up.

Language-wise, the tour is offered in English, and you’ll get a short briefing before you mount. Past riders highlighted a guide named Martina as welcoming and attentive, and you may also meet Riccardo as part of the team. If you like having someone explain what you are seeing and why a trail curves a certain way, this style of guiding fits.

Transport is the one “not included” item to think about. If you need private transport to or from your hotel, it’s listed as €30.00. The activity is also noted as near public transportation, so you may be able to plan around that depending on where you stay.

Lake Como First Leg: Forest Paths and the Right Kind of Challenge

The ride begins with a two-hour stretch through mountain trails and picturesque forests. This is where the “expert” label starts to make sense. You are not just sitting there. You are learning how to control your pace, your balance, and your line on paths that can vary between smooth and rocky.

Lake Como shows up as a payoff rather than a backdrop. Instead of arriving at a roadside viewpoint and leaving, you move through areas that gradually open into broader views. That is why the early part feels like building momentum, not doing a sprint and then waiting around.

One extra detail that sticks out is the view direction. Riders described seeing mountain features in the area such as Resegone, Grigna, and Grignetta. Even if you do not recognize every peak instantly, that mental map helps. You start to connect your trail to what you can see, and the ride becomes easier to remember and repeat.

What to watch for

This first leg is also where you need to be comfortable with riding in active motion. If you know trot feels awkward, or you tense up when the trail gets narrow, you might find the pacing stressful. The tour is aimed at experienced riders, and the structure reflects that.

The Farmhouse Break: Lunch, Local Drinks, and a Real Reset

After the first two hours, you stop for refreshments at a farmhouse with typical local products. This is not a rushed snack. The tour includes lunch with platters of cold cuts, cheeses, bread, and drinks, plus bottled water.

Why this break is valuable is simple: it keeps the day from turning into a nonstop endurance event. Horses, weather, and terrain all change as the morning moves forward. Taking a pause here helps you rehydrate, eat, and reset your focus before the second riding segment.

Alcohol is included in a light, controlled way: one glass of red wine. If you prefer not to drink, you still get the full lunch and water, so the main value is food plus time in a warm, human setting. One rider also mentioned an aperitif at the end of the ride, which suggests the team likes to add a relaxed finish after the effort.

Diet notes are worth mentioning, but carefully. One celiac rider said they had gluten-free options, including gluten-free tiramisu, and felt confident about contamination practices. That is a strong signal, yet you should still treat it as information to confirm for your own needs rather than an automatic promise.

Lago di Annone Second Leg: Faster Riding and Big Lake Views

The second half returns to riding for another two hours, with paths that lead you toward Lago di Annone and broader views of the area. This is the part of the tour where you may get more gallop, based on conditions and your comfort level as an experienced rider.

The Como region has a lot of pretty, but Lake Annone tends to feel quieter and more “in the valley.” When you ride there instead of walking a lakeside path, you get perspective you cannot buy with a postcard. You are above it, inside the terrain, and moving through the same areas the local landscape depends on.

This segment is also where the “expert riding” detail becomes the point. The day is structured so you do not just show up for a short thrill. You build into it, then you ride again with enough energy left to enjoy the speed and the views at the same time.

The mountain backdrop matters

Because riders reported seeing peaks like Resegone, Grigna, and Grignetta, it sounds like your line of sight stays elevated often enough to make the ride feel like you are tracing a route across the region. Even if you only catch glimpses between trees, those glimpses are exactly what makes an active tour memorable.

Horses, Safety Gear, and the Team Behind the Day

You do not have to guess how seriously safety is taken. The tour includes a cap, gaiters, and a protective vest. That means you get the core protective pieces for horseback riding without having to source them yourself in Italy.

The most consistent praise in the rider notes is about the horses. They are described as beautiful Arabian horses, and individual names show up, like Zambesi and Amerì. That kind of detail from multiple riders usually signals that the horses are well cared for, and that the guides are comfortable working with them day after day.

The guiding style also shows up as a big part of why people rate this tour highly. Martina gets named often, both for welcoming energy and for telling stories about the territory. Riccardo is also mentioned alongside her, which suggests a two-person team that can coach while managing the horses.

And yes, there’s humor in the way riders describe the horses. One person called Zambesi a hilarious partner in crime. That matters because it hints at temperament, not just looks.

English Briefing and Trail Stories: Why This Feels More Local

You might be thinking, I’m here for horseback riding, not a lecture. Fair. Still, the way Martina tells stories makes the scenery easier to place.

If you understand what you are looking at, you pay attention longer. Instead of snapping photos and moving on, you get moments of “oh, that’s what that area is known for.” That shifts the ride from simple recreation into something more rooted.

This is also one reason the two-lake route works. Lake Como can feel familiar to first-time visitors because it’s famous. Lago di Annone can feel like the quieter cousin once you see it from a trail perspective. When your guide connects both lakes to the local territory, the day feels like it has a theme.

Price and Value: What You Pay For, and What It Includes

The price is listed at $238.28 per person for about 4 hours 30 minutes. On paper, that may sound steep until you look at what you get packed into that time.

You get:

• Two hours of riding, then two more after a break
• Lunch with cold cuts, cheeses, bread, drinks
• Bottled water
• Safety gear (cap, gaiters, protective vest)
• A small group size of up to four travelers
• One glass of red wine with lunch
• An English-supported experience with a guided briefing and trail coaching

Small group riding is usually where costs rise, because you are paying for quality control and for time with the guide team. Add protective equipment included up front, plus a full lunch rather than a quick snack, and the price starts to look like it covers a real half-day program, not just horse time.

What is not included is private transport from your hotel. If you can rely on public transportation or walk to the meeting spot, you keep the value strong. If you need a car door-to-door, factor in that €30.00 add-on.

Who This Horseback Ride Is Best For

This experience is aimed at experienced riders. That does not just mean you can physically handle a horse. It also means you know how to stay relaxed, communicate with the horse through your posture, and ride confidently as the terrain changes.

You should also have a moderate physical fitness level. The ride is about sustained movement and balance. If you are recovering from an injury or your stamina is limited, you might find the pace harder than it looks.

It’s also a great fit if you want something different from the usual Como routine. Instead of another scenic drive or lakeside stroll, you get a day that uses your legs and your focus. And if you like meeting small teams that actually guide and coach rather than just hand you a route map, you’ll likely appreciate the way Martina and the team operate.

Should You Book This Expert Ride Near Lake Como?

Book it if you want an active, half-day program that combines expert horseback riding, thoughtful guiding, and two major lake experiences in one morning. The setup, with a small group, included protective gear, and a real lunch at a farmhouse, makes it feel like a planned adventure, not an improvised activity.

Skip it if you want a slow, low-intensity horseback experience, or if you are not comfortable with trot and the possibility of gallop. Also keep your schedule flexible. The tour runs only with good weather, and the day can shift if conditions are poor.

If you match the rider profile and you care about scenic route time from horseback, this is a strong choice for your Lombardy days. You’ll come away with a different view of Lake Como, and a second lake stop that feels far more personal than the typical tourist circuit.

FAQ

What is the duration of the horseback riding tour?

The tour lasts about 4 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 23851 Galbiate LC, Italy, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:30 am.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many travelers are in the group?

The group maximum is 4 travelers.

What safety gear is included?

The tour includes a cap, gaiters, and a protective vest.

Is lunch included, and what does it include?

Yes. Lunch is included with platters of cold cuts, cheeses, bread, and drinks, along with bottled water.

Is alcoholic beverage included?

Yes. Lunch includes one glass of red wine.

Is transport to and from my hotel included?

No. Private transport to and from your hotel is not included and is listed at €30.00.

What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.