Horseback Riding in Alabama
SOUTH APPALACHIAN TRAILS |
Lookout Mountain is a high plateau, a piece of the southern Appalachians in the northeast corner of Alabama near the border of Tennessee and Georgia. Although not far from several large metropolitan areas, this is a serene neck of the woods, favored by artists and writers, known for bluegrass music, views across ridge after misty ridge, a spectacular display of flowering dogwood and rhododendron in the spring, and colorful maple and oak foliage in the fall.
There are miles and miles of trails, broad paths, firebreak roads, and dirt lanes closed to vehicles winding across the plateau through both private and public land, including Little River Canyon National Preserve, and Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
With a variety of activities available in the area, such as kayaking, golf, hiking, fishing, and browsing antique stores, this is an excellent destination for riders with non-riding companions.
"The horses were all very well mannered and well kept. The ride itself was interesting with beautiful scenery. We were there at a perfect time, as the woods were in full bloom with dogwoods, red buds, wild azaleas and wild flowers everywhere! As to the accommodations and food, I can't say enough nice things. The lodge owners were great hosts and made our stay delightful. By the end of the week, we felt like family. I guess by now, you know that we enjoyed this ride immensely and would recommend it to anyone!"
- Karen Dunn
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Arrive at accommodations in Mentone for a 3:00 pm check-in. Anyone arriving earlier will be provided with luggage storage and may want to browse the craft shops in Mentone.
5:30pm-Welcome wine and cheese reception. General orientation. Meet the staff and questions.
6:30pm-Welcome Dinner.
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| Day 2: | 6:30-8:00am- Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am- Leave for Holly Springs Farm. Assignment of horses, get acquainted in ring. Ride out from the farm. Dirt roads alternate with shady paths through the woods. Heading toward the "Coal Mines" (defunct mining from the 1930's) there is a view of the plateau top of Lookout Mountain. We cross a wooden bridge over a stream bordered with rhododendron and mountain laurel. Depending on rainfall, there may be small streams to cross.
12:00noon-1:00pm-Lunch at Monk's Cove.
1:00pm-3:30pm-Leave for private properties in the Mentone area where we will enjoy the beauty of the woods and streams. Leaving the horses to be trailered home, we will visit a local artist to see works inspired by the mountain setting.
5:00pm-Return to accommodations.
6:30-7:30pm Dinner.
Evenings are at leisure. You may enjoy the lodge, take a walk, or book a massage from a local vendor in the evenings. |
| Day 3: | 6:30-8:00am- Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am- Leave for Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. (driving time, about 25 minutes.)
There are miles of dirt roads and riding paths on this peninsula of Lookout Mountain. The name "Pigeon" refers to the now extinct passenger pigeon which once nested here in great numbers. Trails follow the edge of the plateau --with impressive views across the valley -- and wind through the forest. Some trails are narrow with a few steep, rocky descents and ascents. This area does not see many visitors, and is a great place to “get away from it all.” We will ride the West Brow trails that overlook McLemore Cove.
12:00noon-1:00pm – Lunch at Pigeon Mountain: saddlebag picnic.
1:00pm-4:30pm - Ride
5:00pm-Return to accommodations.
6:30-7:30pm Dinner. |
| Day 4: | 6:30-8:00am - Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am - Leave for Estelle Springs campground at the base of Pigeon Mountain. (driving time, one hour.) From there we will take the Estelle Mine trail, passing an early iron mine, to The Pocket. The Pocket is a wildflower viewing area with a boardwalk over a creek where many species of native plants are on display. We then ride up the mountain past a wet weather waterfall to an old farmsite.
12:00noon-1:00pm - Saddlebag lunch at the farmsite.
1:00-4:30pm - Ride
5:00pm - Return to accommodations.
6:30-7:30pm - Dinner. |
| Day 5: | 6:30-8:00am - Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am - Leave for Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area - Ride again today on different trails of the preserve. Ride will include the East Brow with the lunch stop at Hood Overlook with a view of the valley 1000 feet below.
12:00noon-1:00pm - Saddlebag lunch.
1:00-4:00pm - Ride.
6:30pm-Dinner. |
| Day 6: | 6:30-8:00am - Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am - Leave for Little River Canyon National Preserve (driving time about 20 minutes.) The wide fire break roads through the Preserve are ideal for riding and 23 miles of roads in the Backcountry Area are open to horseback riding. Many of the roads run alongside Little River, and we ride on both sides, fording the river. We will stop to enjoy a sweeping vista at High Rock.
12:00noon-1:00pm-Saddlebag lunch.
1:00pm-4:30pm -- Ride or the group may elect to shorten their riding in order to visit the various shops and attractions around Mentone.
5:00pm -- Return to accommodations.
6:30pm -- Farewell dinner at the Wildflower Cafe, recently featured in Southern Living. We will enjoy Bluegrass Music with our tasty meal. |
| Day 7: | 6:30-8:00am - Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
Depart by 11:00am. |
| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Mentone, Alabama |
| Length of Ride | 7 days, 6 nights and 5 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate |
| Group Size | Minimum-4 Maximum-8 |
| Riding Per Day | 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours |
| Pace | Moderate |
| Tack | Western and English |
| Horses | quarterhorse and quarterhorse cross |
| Weight Limit | 225 lbs |
| 2010 Dates | Apr 25-May 1
May 16-22 (Rhododendron Festival May 14-16)
Oct 17-23 (Fall Colorfest Oct 15-17)
Oct 24-30 |
| 2010 Price | $2,200
FALL SPECIAL! $1,760
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| Single Supplement | $230 |
| Transfers | $80 Round trip from Atlanta/person |
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