Relax on a Rustic Ride

About Relax on a Rustic Ride

An opportunity to explore the lie of the landscape on horseback in terrain where legacies of wild horses canter carefree. Take to the hills with heels down and spirits high.

Kaapsehoop Horse Trails possess the only concession to explore the Berlin Plantation whose roots are entwined in ownership to Kamatiland Forests. Enjoying his third decade of trail riding, stable owner, Christo Germishuys practices natural horsemanship in natural beauty. He established these horse trails in 1994 on a 17 000 Hectare grand arena of bark and branch.

This equestrian discovery begins at the end of a 7km forest track that links the almost forgotten village of Kaapsehoop with the never to be forgotten Drakensberg range. The scent of pine plays between the tree trunks of it source while hoofprints tap on a forest floor tickled by pine needles and trimmed with pine cones. Inhale and relax while Eucalyptus trees fill your lungs with a mild menthol medication carried on the mist.

Brighten your mood in the display of indigenous flowering bushes adding spontaneous colour at stirrup side height. Take in the distant sight of the towns of Barbeton and Nelspruit from a seating in either an English or trail saddle on the back of a well-schooled steed specially selected for your riding level.

The high altitude guided trail ride gives magnificent perspective from a vantage point of 1486m (and a few horse hands) above sea level overlooking the splendours of the De Hoop Valley, 800m below. All weather seasons can be experienced in a single journey due to the luscious diversity of the trails so pack cool and warm comforts for dry and wet conditions.