Europe > Italy

Two Lakes trail in Tuscany

Explore on horseback the two most beautiful lakes in the Tuscan and Lazio region in Italy. Ride from the Bolsena Lake, the largest volcanic lake in Europe, to the stunning Mezzano volcanic lake. From the lakes to the hills of Tuscany, this trail ride offers gorgeous panoramic views and a taste of the renowned Italian rolling scenery. Follow the famous Etruscan trails until you reach the black sands of both volcanic lakes formed thousands of years ago and ride across beautiful medieval Tuscan villages along the way.
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Trail Riding
8 days / 6 days riding
From £1,240
  • Horseback riding trail in Tuscany
    Riding across Tuscan hills
  • Explore in the saddle the Mezzano and Bolsena Lake
    Enjoy the beautiful views of the Mezzano and Bolsena Lake
  • Etruscan horseback trail in Tuscany and Lazio
    Your ride takes you through ancient Roman roads
  • Tuscany and Lazio on horseback
    Lovely views of the volcanic lakes, Bolsena and Mezzano.
  • Horseback trail ride in Tuscany Italy
    Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany
  • Ride in the Italian regions of Tuscany and Lazio
    Horseback riding along the Bolsena Lake
  • Riding through the Etruscan vie cave
    Explore the Roman roads on horseback
  • A varied ride in Tuscany
    Take a dip in the lake with the horses
  • Western horseback trail in Tuscany
    Explore Tuscany in the saddle
  • Horseback trail ride Bolsena lake
    Ride across the italian country side

Itinerary

Highlights

- Ride along the beautiful Etruscan trail and the "via Francigena" (the pilgrim road linking Canterbury to Rome), between Tuscany and Lazio
- Visit Bolsena Lake, the largest volcanic lake in Europe
- Ride over different terrain (mountain paths, country roads and dirt roads)
- Spend long hours in a western saddle every day while exploring medieval villages
- Enjoy some gorgeous landscapes and delicious Tuscan cuisine.

  • Day 1 1 : UK - ROME - CATELL'AZZARA

    Agriturismo Il Cornacchino
    Fly to Rome Fiumicino. You will be met by a local team member at 3.30-4:00pm. You will then be transferred (approx. 2h 30mins) to your guest house where you will meet the guides, horses and the other riders in your group. After a delicious Italian meal you will be shown to your room for the night.

    Flights are not included but we can help with this upon request.

    Please note transfers are at an extra charge (see "dates and prices") or you can decide to rent a car.

  • Day 2 2 : CASTEL'AZZARA - 5 hours riding

    Agriturismo Il Cornacchino
    After breakfast your guide will assign you to a horse according to your riding ability and expectations. On your first day, you will head out on a short trek to get to know your horse and get used to the western style of riding. You will enjoy a picnic en-route and return to your guest house in the evening.

  • Day 3 3 : CASTELLI DI SANTA CRISTINA - 5 - 6 hours riding

    Castello di Santa Cristina
    Today you will hop in the saddle to start your five-day trail ride. You will discover the South of Tuscany riding through its beautiful landscapes. The main pace of the ride will be the walk, so you can take the time to admire your surroundings. However, every day you will have the chance to trot and canter where the terrain allows.

    Overnight at the Castello di Santa Cristina in Onano. (or similar)

  • Day 4 4 : BOLSENA LAKE - 5 - 6 hours riding

    Le Vigne
    After a delicious breakfast, you will ride until you reach the immense Bolsena Lake. The lake is known for its volcanic and tectonic origins and for being the largest volcanic lake in Europe. Some 370,00 years ago the collapse of land following the eruption of the Vulsini volcano formed a caldera which then became the bed of Bolsena lake. You will ride past the enchanting medieval towns that border the lake and follow the famous 'via Francigena', the pilgrim road from Canterbury to Rome. After a delicious lunch, and perhaps a refreshing swim, you will ride your way to the top of the hills that border the lake and enjoy the beautiful panorama over the lake.

    Overnight at Le Vigne country house. (or similar)

  • Day 5 5 : BOLSENA LAKE - 5 - 6 hours riding

    Today you will say goodbye to the beautiful lake and its black volcanic sands. You will ride towards a smaller lake on the border between Tuscany and Lazio. There you will be able to relax for the evening and perhaps even take a little dip with the horses in the lake, dependent on timing and weather conditions

    Overnight at a guest house

  • Day 6 6 : MEZZANO LAKE - 5 - 6 hours riding

    Fra Viaco
    Enjoy today a long day in the saddle with some beautiful views. After riding across the village of Marta, you will reach Mezzano lake in the evening, a small crater lake in central Italy that also has a volcanic origin dating back to 400,000 years ago. Riders can swim in the lake or use the wellness facilities of the country house where you will stay tonight (not included in the price).

  • Day 7 7 : LAKE MEZZANO - CASTELL'AZZARA - 5 - 6 hours riding

    Agriturismo Il Cornacchino
    This morning will be your last day on horseback. You will follow the Etruscan and Sorano trail (Via Cava) back to Cornacchino. These trails were carved through tuff rock by the Etruscans more than 2000 years ago. The vertical walls of the narrow pathways create a wonderful contrast of bright light and shadow, and open out into spaces where you will get some nice views through the valley. At the picnic area you will stop for lunch before riding for a few more hours. In the evening you will arrive back at the guest house and enjoy one last Tuscan supper.

  • Day 8 8 : CASTELL'AZZARA - ROME - UK

    After breakfast, you will say farewell to the team and horses, and head to the airport for your trip back home. Flights booked to take off after 1:30 pm are advised.

    If you wish, you can extended your trip to visit Florence or Sienne. Tickets from Chiusi station to Florence will cost you around £14 (and are bought on location).

Dates & prices

Price details

- International flights are not included, but can be booked upon request. Rates are per person and based on two riders sharing a double room.

- The group is made of 4-8 riders maximum.

- Single supplement €150/£135 per week low season, €170/£155 high season. This fee will not be charged if you are willing to share a room with another rider.

- The transfers to and from Rome airport to the guesthouse are not included in the price. Transfers are €250/£220 per person:
> Saturday pick-up in Rome Ciampino: 3:00 pm. or Rome Fiumicino: 4:00 p.m.
> Saturday departure from the centre at 9:30 a.m, arrival in Rome between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m.

- It is also possible to take the train from Fiumicino airport to Chiusi Chianciano - tickets found here http://www.trenitalia.com/tcom-fr. Return tickets cost around €40-€50 and the trip takes around 2 hours 40 to 3 hours. The return transfer from Chiusi Chianciano to the guesthouse is €35/£32 (1 hour drive). Transfers to and from Chiusi Chianciano train station are on Saturday between 9:00 and 10:00 am and between 17:30 and 18:30 pm. Private transfers can be organised outside of these hours but at an extra cost of €80/£70 return rate per person.
Please Note
The itinerary may be modified at anytime for security reasons, meteorological or events beyond our control such as blocked roads, rivers in flood, drought, strikes and local holidays. Equus Journeys, our local partners and their local guides will always strive to find the best solution and will alter the itinerary as needed.
The names of the hotels and accommodation are given for information only and depending on availability, they may be modified without notice and replaced by another of a similar standard.

Price includes

Support Team

1 English speaking horse guide

Logistics

1 horse equipped with saddle and bridle per rider
1 support vehicle

Accomodation

Double rooms in guest houses.

Meals

Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on the final day (day 8). Water and wine are included.

Price doesn't include

Meals

Lunches on day 1 and 8 depending on your flight schedules.
Extra beverages and personal extras

Transport

International flights

Extras

Tips to the local team

Insurance

Cancellation and travel insurance are not included in the above listed price. Please note that insurance is mandatory. We recommend taking out an insurance policy as soon as your trip is booked to cover you in case of cancellation

Optional

Accommodation

Single room supplement

Transport

Airport transfers (return) Rome Fiumicino to the guest house
  • Departure Return Price without flights Price including flights Status
    22/05/2021 29/05/2021 £1,240 Guaranteed departure Book now
  • Departure Return Price without flights Price including flights Status
    25/09/2021 02/10/2021 £1,240 Guaranteed departure Book now

Equestrian info

Horses

A herd of 60 horses: Halfingers, Appaloosas, Pintos, Maremmano and Arabs. They have all been trained for outdoor western riding and trekking in particular. They are all very well trained, docile and reliable. They live year-round outdoors in small herds.

Minimum riding ability

Minimum riding ability

Riders should be at ease at all 3 paces outdoors across uneven terrain.

There is a rider weight limit of 100kg/ 15½ st/ 220 lbs.

Pace

The pace of the ride is dictated by the terrain, there will be opportunities to trot and canter when the terrain allows, but most of the trail will be at a walk.

Tacking ability and participation

All riders are responsible for grooming and tacking their own horse. You can also help distributing food and water.

Trip conditions and Requested experience

It's not necessary to have a high riding ability but you should be able to control your horse at all three paces. It is a plus if you are a good outdoor rider used to riding in open spaces. The riding style is western, but no previous experience of western riding is necessary.

Equestrian equipment

Western saddles

Helmets are mandatory for minors. We recommend all our riders to wear a helmet to the correct standard and you should bring your own to ensure proper fit.

Travel info

Comfort

You will be staying in comfortable and welcoming guest houses and country houses. Double rooms with either private or shared bathroom.

Meals

All meals are provided on this trail.

Breakfast and dinner will be taken at the guest houses using typical local produce. Il Cornacchino is known for its delicious Italian food and you except to sample typical Tuscan dishes. Wine is included at dinner in reasonable amounts when staying at Il Cornacchino.

Lunch: Picnic during the trail. The picnics will be prepared in the morning and taken to the destination by mini-bus or carried in the saddlebags.

Vegetarian diets and specific requirements can be accommodation with advance notice.

Climate

Tuscany has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers, cold winters and a rainy season from the start of autumn to the beginning of winter. The months that are the most humid are October and December - often seeing heavy rain that can last for several days. However, autumn and in spring, it is still likely that it will be hot during the day, with a lot of sunny days. July and August are the hottest and driest months.

Guide and local team

Fabio has been raising, breaking in and training horses for over 30 years. He has made a reputation for himself through his skills breaking in young horses as well as re-educating, so-called, problem horses. Specialised in outdoor western riding; it is Fabio who supervises the horses' care and acts as blacksmith, as well as teaching horse riding and the taking care of the general management of the farm.
The team are all English speakers.

Tips

Tipping is not mandatory, however it is left at your discretion.

Packing list

Head
- A riding helmet is strongly recommended and mandatory for minors. Helmet makers (GPA, HKM, LAS Helmets, Lamicell, Troxel, Equithème) now offer horse-riding helmets that are ventilated, strong, light and comfortable.
- Sunhat: cap for when not riding
- Sunglasses - with a cord attached so they don't fly off when riding
- Buff or bandana for protecting your neck and face from the sun and dust

Upper Body
- Short or long-sleeved shirts (to provide protection from the sun) or T-shirt in a quick-drying material
- Lightweight fleece or jumper.
- Warm Goretex-style jacket (water-proof and breathable) in case of rain

Legs
- 2 pairs of riding trousers
- 1 change of trousers (riding trousers or jeans)
- 1 pair of waterproof over trousers.
- A bathing suit may be useful
- Cotton or synthetic underwear (non-irritant)

Hands and feet
- 1 pair Comfortable riding boots. We recommend short boots with half chaps but you may wish to take long chaps or long boots.
- 1 pair of sandals
- Lightweight shoes or trainers for the evenings
- Several pairs of socks
- Gloves - your hands are particularly exposed to the sun, wind or rain whilst riding

Night gear
- Pyjamas

Other useful items
- Small bumbag to be worn whilst riding
- A soothing cream may be useful to treat areas irritated by long hours in the saddle
- Backpacks are not to be worn whilst riding. Everything should be kept either in pockets or in a bumbag : lip balm, sun screen, small camera, glasses, rope etc.
- Ear plugs (may be useful)
- Camera and high capacity memory card. Spare battery
- Water Bottle (1.5 litres or 2 equivalent)

Medical kit
- Sunscreen and lip balm - should be high factor
- Insect repellent
- Any medication you regularly take
- Vitamin C tablets
- Blister plasters in case of any rubs
- Antiseptic cream, plasters, aspirin, anti-histamine, insect-bite salve etc..
- 10cm wide bandage
- Painkillers
- Spare prescription glasses/contact lenses
- Eye drops
- Imodium or similar anti-diarrhoea medication
- Re-hydration sachets
- Antiseptic wipes
- Handwash gel

General information
- Any liquids, such as shampoo, moisturiser, deodorant over 100ml and all bottles can be decanted into small, clear, plastic zip-lock bags. We recommend biodegradable washing products where possible.
- We recommend taking a copy of your passport and insurance documents with you in case you lose your originals
- In your hand luggage carry any valuables, such as your camera, iPod, iPad etc.
- Travelling in your riding boots and carrying your hat and some riding clothes is highly recommended - then if your luggage goes astray you are still able to ride!

Visa & Health

Formalities

British citizens: other nationalities, please contact us.

The rules on travel will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
Passport validity: Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you don’t need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.
Visas: If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Italy

Visas from 1 January 2021
The rules for travelling or working in Europe will change from 1 January 2021:
- you will be able to travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training
- if you are travelling to Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel would count towards the 90-day limit
- The 90-day limit for visa-free travel will begin on 1 January 2021. Any days you stay in Schengen countries before 1 January 2021 will not count towards the 90-day limit.

At border control you may need to:
- show a return or onward ticket
- show you have enough money for your stay, and
- use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing
- Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit.

Passport validity from 1 January 2021
From 1 January 2021, you must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

Please visit for the FCO website for up-to-date information - https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy

Addresses of consulates

  • Ambassade à l'étranger :
    Piazza Farnese 67
    00186 Rome
    Tél. : +39 06 686 013 02
    Fax : +39 06 686 015 66
  • Ambassade en France
    51 rue de Varenne
    75007 Paris
    Tél. : 01 49 54 03 00
    Fax : 01 49 54 04 10
    ambasciata.parigi@esteri.it
  • Ambassade d'Italie
    ChancellerieElfenstrasse 14
    3006 Berne
    Tél. : 031/350 07 77
    Fax : 031/350 07 11
    ambasciata.berna@esteri.it
  • Ambassade d'Italie
    Rue de Livourne 38
    1000 Bruxelles
    Tél. : 0032/2/543.15.53
    Fax : 0032/2/537.57.56
    passaporti.bruxelles@esteri.itvisti.bruxelles@esteri.it

Health

Visit your health professional at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures.

Travellers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK.

For up to date information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy

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 will require 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.

Voltage

The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. UK citizens will require an adapter.

Budget and money

The main currency is the euro. You will find ATM ("Bancomat") in every city, town and most villages. Both credit and debit cards are used.

Telephone and jetlag

Phone code: +39

Did you know?

Did you know?

Tuscany is full of historic landmarks where you can take a trip back in time to 370,000 years ago to the eruption of the Vulsini volcano which is now Europe’s largest volcanic lake, Lake Bolsena. It is about 12 km long and 14 km wide and filled with remarkably clear water. Two small islands can be seen on the lake: Bisentina and Martana, that were created by two subsequent underwater eruptions. On the border between Tuscany and Lazio, this is a must-see on your riding holiday in Tuscany!