Trail riders in the French region of Alsace
France > Alsace - Champagne Country

On horseback in the Alsace and Champagne country

Riding in Alsace and the Champagne Country is a fantastic equestrian experience - with incredible food and wine to be enjoyed too! With its ancient forests, rolling hills and beautiful vineyards overlooking quaint towns and villages, it is a real pleasure to discover it all from horseback. A part of France with just a hint of Germany, this region has traditions, culture and even an architecture of its own, all of which you will discover on your trail ride. Everywhere, you will receive a genuinely warm welcome. Although beer is excellent, wine lovers are in for a treat, as the region is home to some of the best vineyards in France: Champagne, Riesling, Pinot, Muscat, and many more.
See all our trips

From the horse’s mouth

  • Alsace - Explore the Alsace mountains
    September 2023 Jucelia aged 35
    The first ride my guide gave me a not suitable horse for me, however he was very keen to change it after the ride and offered a different horse to suits me best.
    More about this trip
  • Horseback in Alsace forest
    Riders in the beautiful forests
  • Alsace by horseback
    Group of riders in Alsace
  • Riders in Alsace
    Galoping in the Alsace winery
  • Horseback in Alsace
    A real galoping in Alsace
  • Horseback in Alsace
    Lunch time during the horseback

Visa & Health

Formalities

Please refer to your home country's Foreign Office website for up-to-date information. Although we endeavour to keep this section updated, requirements can change quickly, and your home country's Foreign Office website takes precedence.

This section is mostly directed towards UK citizen. Other nationalities, please contact us.

Visa

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

At border control, you may need to:

  • Show a return or onward ticket
  • Show you have enough money for your stay
  • Show proof of insurance
  • Have your passport stamped on entry/exit

Passport Validity

You must have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
You should also have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you plan to leave.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

EU Entry/Exit System for non-EU travellers

From October 2025, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals travelling in or out of the Schengen area.
The EES is a digital border system which registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen area instead of stamping their passports.
You will need to have your fingerprints and your photo taken when entering and exiting the Schengen area.

You may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts. You can read more information here.

Please click here to check the updated entry requirements.

Health

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. It does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment.

UK Citizens: A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their GP around five weeks before travelling. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities.
For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended.

Please click here to check health recommendations.

Insurance

It is a condition of your booking with Equus Journeys that you have travel insurance which covers you for the riding activities to be undertaken. Your travel insurance should cover you for medical expenses and repatriation. Your guides may request your travel insurance details before they allow you to ride and may refuse to let you ride if you cannot provide them. You should take your insurance documents with you.

You can check our "Insurance Guide" here.

Choosing the right riding holiday

Choosing the right riding holiday

Through vineyards and farmlands, rolling hills and deep forests, Alsace has a lot to offer. Of course, the best way to explore one of the most famous wine regions in France is in the saddle! Ideal for a change of scenery, we have several different options for our rides in Alsace:

  • Explore the Alsace mountains: a centre-based holiday to discover a magnificent Natura 2000 site, staying in a comfortable gite for the duration of your stay. Experienced riders and less competent riders are accepted and will ride out in groups with riders of similar ability levels.
  • Mountains and Vineyards of Alsace: a good choice for confident riders looking to a point-to-point trail ride in France. Follow the “route des vins” and ride from village to village.