Scenic Horseback Riding in the Medellín Mountains

This was such an incredible experience and incredible value for the money. I think our ride lasted a good 4 hours, which is amazing for the price compared to what we would have paid in the U.S. You can tell the family loves their animals and want to ensure they are healthy and safe at all times. I did this on my own during my first day in Medellin. I found it a great way to meet fellow travelers and see a bit of the countryside right next to Medellin. Would definitely recommend.

As experienced horse people, we typically go into trail ride experiences with the expectation that it will be a leisurely walk only ride, as most folks on these rides typically have never ridden before. This is fine by us, we are just trying to get our horse time in on vacay and enjoy the scenery along the way. Hence, also low expectations in regards to the “quality” of the horses. Well, this was a trail ride experience like no other. My daughter and I’s mounts were amazingly responsive to us, and not your mindless trot along in single file ponies that will only go in one direction “follow the leader” style. We had the time of our lives, moving along at a steady Paso and at times we got to let them stretch and just fly at a full gallop. Yet, others horses, with less experience, stayed behind and kept their steady beginner friendly pace. Our guides were amazing! They truly care about the animals wellbeing, and that everyone had a good experience. They had great tips, even for us experienced riders, on how to get a better connection with our trail partners. The ride itself takes you through beautiful Colombian mountains, tiny little villages, and even right through town. Doberman, Susana, and her buddy the Rottweiler came along for the ride and were a joy to have join us. I also want to mention that these horses are the most bombproof horses I have ever encountered. Nothing, absolutely NOTHING, fazes them. Motorcycles squeezing by, ridiculously loud music, semi trucks, random dog fights? They took it all in stride. Something to note: helmets are not a thing here. And be smart, wear long pants or you’ll be sorry the next day.

The horses were in excellent condition and the trail guide dog was an added bonus. The scenery was awesome and our guide did an excellent job of assisting riders with their horse as needed. The breaks between the 4 hour ride were timely and our guide took some great photos for each of the riders. I would do it again when I visit Columbia again.

Great route, you can see a lot of Medellin’s mountain ranges. Guides were very helpful with every aspect of horse riding. Makes quick stops for food and water due to the extensive time one is riding the horses, approximately 3 hours.

The guides are so professional and personal to each rider that they will put you with the horse according to your personality and skill level. I felt right at home from the beginning.

What an amazing experience! First time rider and we couldn't have the best guides and teachers. Ricardo and Joshua are simply amazing, hilarious, knowledgeable. They were absolutely great!!!!

This horseback riding experience through the Medellín mountains was absolutely incredible! Our tour guide was amazing, friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience enjoyable from start to finish. The scenery was breathtaking, with stunning views of the Colombian countryside that made every moment of the ride memorable. I was especially impressed by how well cared for and healthy the horses were, which made the experience even better. The length of the ride was perfect, giving us plenty of time to take in the beautiful landscapes and truly appreciate the region. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this side of Colombia and would highly recommend this horseback riding adventure to anyone looking for an authentic and unforgettable experience.

It was an amazing tour. Loved everything about it. This is a must-do experience in Colombia. I highly recommend it!

Overall good experience. Ricardo is attentive, passionate and knowledgeable. Falcon (pup) was the best guide partner. This is a true Countryside Medellín experience.

Ricardo (owner/guide) was a wonderful guide and this horseback tour is one of the best we've ever taken! The ride through the Medellin countryside is simply breathtaking. We did several tours during our week in Medellin and this one stands out as a very unique experience. All of the horses are very well taken care of. Ricardo is more than a guide, he truly cares for all his animals and has rescued many of his horses from terrible conditions and worked very hard to bring them back to good health. The tour starts at your meeting place where you will be transported by car (or cars depending on group size) and takes about 30-40 minutes to get just outside of Caldas where the tour begins at Ricardo's ranch. The horses are very well trained and respond very well to commands and reign steering. One word of caution, the horses love to compete for the lead position, so there may be quite a bit of trotting. But honestly, this made the tour more exciting. You will make your first stop at a small home of the man who trains Ricardo's dogs. There you can purchase beer, soda, or water to help support the dog trainer. Then you will continue through easy trails and some small hills until you reach your photo spot. It's a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Ricardo will pose your horses for great pictures. From there you will ride to a very small village where you will stop at the home of Estrella and her family where they will serve you drinks and traditional carrot cake. This is the last stop and you can spend as long as you like resting and learning about the locals and their traditions. The remainder of the trip is the return to Ricardo's ranch through Caldas. Here you will encounter many people, and some cars and motorcycles, but the horses don't mind at all. They are used to it. It's a steep climb back the ranch, and the horses handle the terrain very well. I believe Ricardo mentioned offering different tours that include lunch. We will definitely take this tour again when we return! A few other notes: Ricardo does a lot for the animals in his care. Please consider not only tipping him, but donating to the cost of food to care for all his animals and the local animals he looks out for. The tour itself lasts about 4-5 hours, but there wasn't any rush to get to the finish. If you arrive early, you can have a bite and some great coffee at Le Brunch Express (the meeting point). When you return (around 2pm), Biftek Sur has amazing chicharon and a good list of imported beers. Envigado park is walkable from here, and a cool place to visit.