The Trans Wales Trail
Paul Turner leads you on a classic ride
through Wales.
 Our
flagship trail ride, the Trans Wales Trail, offers unforgettable world-class
riding. Riding almost the length and breadth of Wales on native horses bred for
the job, you will experience some of the most historic, beautiful and
undiscovered country in Britain. This trail is 6 days riding, 7 nights
accommodation, running Saturday to Saturday from the end of April until early
October. Please note, this is a challenge for experienced riders only. We cross
from the Black Mountains to the Irish sea, covering great distances, mostly
off-road, and riders must be fit, have good stamina, and be comfortable riding
at speed.
 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 route
uses mostly forgotten bridle-ways, some open moorland crossings and several
trails over private land. Luckily your guide Paul Turner has
been riding these trails for over 20 years!
Saturday: Guests arrive after 5pm, settle in, meet
the horses and get to know one another over a home-cooked dinner.
Sunday: We start with a local trail of around 12
miles, so that riders can get a feel for our horses and riding style. We stop
for lunch in a local pub, and afterwards head up onto the mountain where the
hill-riding really begins, and we earn spectacular views of Llangorse lake and
the Brecon Beacons. We head back to Cwmfforest Farm for dinner, a dip in the
jacuzzi or a visit to the local pub, or perhaps an early night!
 Monday: We set off in the direction of the coast.
8 miles of rolling farming country
followed by 12 miles of fast open moors - without doubt a
horseman's paradise. We stop at 2 inns
along the way for refreshments before
arriving at the comfortable 16th century Caer Beris Manor Country Hotel in Builth
Wells on the River Wye for the night.
Tuesday: We keep west of the river Wye, and take lunch at a 13th
Century
pub, (the oldest inn in Powys) The
night is spent in a comfortable hotel in Rhayader, where one can
normally do some souvenir
hunting!
 Wednesday: Today we cross the Lakeland of Wales - following the Elan Valley
for 15 miles before stopping for a picnic lunch.
The 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.
Thursday is a marathon day - 26 miles to the sea, crossing mountains with
no trail to follow. Luckily your guide has been riding this
route for over 20 years and knows his way! After a refreshing paddle
in the waves
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.
 Friday: Depending on how your legs feel, guests can
either enjoy a full day riding locally with lunch at a country pub, or a half
day ride in the morning combined with an afternoon's visit to one of the nearby
towns - Hay-on-Wye (world-famous for it's second-hand bookstores), Abergavenny
or historic Llanthony Abbey.
Saturday: Bid farewell to your horse and fellow
riders. Guests leave after breakfast.
For TWT dates click here. To
book this trail click here.
| 
