Discover the mountains on horseback
There is a completely different way to experience the mountains: saddle up and follow the trails through forests, alpine meadows, mountain villages and spectacular landscapes.
At a walking pace, everything feels different.
The sound of the road disappears, the forest opens up, the mountains appear ahead and the horse becomes part of the experience.
And you don’t have to be an experienced rider. Several riding centres in the Alta Val Susa offer activities for different levels, including beginners and families.
Horse riding for beginners and families
A horse ride can be much more accessible than you might think.
Guided rides and activities are available for people with different levels of experience, including those getting on a horse for the first time.
Children can also discover the world of horses through pony activities, riding lessons and introductory experiences.
The aim isn’t to ride fast.
It is to get to know the horse, gain confidence and spend time outdoors in the mountains.
For a family holiday in the Alta Val Susa, this can be a wonderful alternative to the usual mountain activities.
Horse riding in Bardonecchia and Melezet
In Bardonecchia, in the village of Melezet, you will find the Centro Equi-Trek Silverado, at Pian del Colle.
The centre offers riding lessons, pony activities, horse rides and longer trekking experiences for experienced riders. During winter, horse rides in the snow are also available for participants aged 14 and over.
The setting itself is part of the experience: forests, alpine scenery and the nearby Valle Stretta create a spectacular backdrop.
Horse riding in San Sicario and Cesana
Another interesting option is San Sicario Alto, in the municipality of Cesana Torinese.
Here, Il Grande Ranch operates its mountain riding centre during the summer season and the Christmas holiday period.
Horse rides can reach mountain villages and, depending on the activity, extend towards Sestriere and Valle Argentera. The centre also offers riding lessons for adults and children, as well as pony activities for younger children.
It is a beautiful way to discover the Cesana area and the Via Lattea from a completely different perspective.
Horse riding around Sauze d’Oulx
Sauze d’Oulx is another place where you can experience horse riding in the mountains.
The West Sauze Riding Centre, in the Viale Genevris area, offers lessons for adults and children, activities for younger riders and mountain trail rides for more experienced riders.
This variety is one of the great advantages of the Alta Val Susa: several different equestrian experiences are available within a relatively small area.
Horses and mountains: a different way to travel
Horse riding in the mountains is not only about sport.
It is about slowing down.
Walking through a forest without rushing.
Reaching a mountain village.
Looking at the valley from a different viewpoint.
Hearing the sound of hooves on the trail.
And building a special connection with the animal travelling with you.
Spring, summer and autumn are particularly good seasons for discovering the Alta Val Susa on horseback.
A horse-riding holiday in the Italian Alps
If you are looking for a horse-riding holiday in Piedmont, the Alta Val Susa is a wonderful place to combine riding, nature and a stay in the mountains.
Spend one day on horseback, another hiking, and another exploring Oulx, Bardonecchia, Cesana or the surrounding alpine villages.
Then return to your accommodation with the mountains still all around you.
La Maison du Coeur: your base in the Alta Val Susa
Staying at La Maison du Coeur in Oulx gives you an ideal base for discovering the different horse-riding experiences around the Alta Val Susa.
Bardonecchia and Melezet.
Sauze d’Oulx.
Cesana and San Sicario.
And all the mountain scenery in between.
You don’t have to choose between horses and mountains.
You can experience both.