Horseback Riding in Alabama
SOUTH APPALACHIAN TRAILS |
Lookout Mountain is a high plateau, a piece of the southern Appalachians in the northwest corner of Georgia near the border of Tennessee and Alabama. 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, azalea, honeysuckle and rhododendron in the spring, and colorful maple and oak foliage and wildflowers 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
"The host and guides bent over backwards to accommodate all in the group to ensure everyone had a pleasurable riding trip. I can't say enough good things about the food - beyond excellent, the staff and the guides. I would recommend this trip highly, and am looking forward to trying another Equitours trip.
- Lisa Emmons, Oct 2010
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| Itinerary |
| Day 1: | Arrive at Valley View Ranch for a 3:00pm check in. Anyone arriving earlier will be provided with luggage storage in the ranch office and may want to browse the grounds and barns.
4:30pm-Welcome wine and cheese reception. General orientation. Meet the staff and questions. Transfer to lodgings.
6:30pm-Welcome dinner.
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| Day 2: | 7:00-8:00am- Early risers’ coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am- Leave for Valley View Ranch. Assignment of horses, get acquainted in ring. Ride out from the barn on shady paths through the woods. Depending on rainfall, there may be small streams to cross. Seasonal wildflowers are abundant.
12:00noon-1:00pm-Lunch at the ranch.
1:30pm-Leave from the barn again for a longer ride over different trails. There may be an opportunity for a “walk to” visit of a seasonal waterfall along the trail.
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.
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| Day 3: | 7:00-8:00am - Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am- Tack, load and 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 farm site.
Saddlebag lunch at the farm site.
The afternoon is a return to Estelle Campground.
Return to accommodations.
6:30-7:30pm--Dinner.
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| Day 4: | 7:00-8:00am- Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am- After tacking and loading our horses we leave for Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area (driving time, about 15 minutes).
Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area —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. Ride will include the East Brow with the lunch stop at Hood Overlook with a view of the valley 1000 feet below.
Lunch at Pigeon Mountain: saddlebag picnic.
Ride the afternoon loop with shady trails and views of both Shinbone Valley and 18,000+ acre Mountain Cove Farms. Mountain Cove, in McClemore Cove, was recently bought by Walker County, GA and slated to become recreational area adjacent to Pigeon Mountain.
Return to accommodations.
6:30-7:30pm--Dinner.
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| Day 5: | 7:00-8:00am -- Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am – Tack, load, and leave for Little River Canyon National Preserve (driving time about 30 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 the river, and we will visit 2 different fords on the Little River.
Saddlebag lunch by the river.
The afternoon ride takes us back to the trailers where the horses will be loaded then the riders will have a chance to visit some of the scenic areas of the Alabama side of Lookout Mountain. We will drive through DeSoto State Park, built during the Depression by the CCC, visit Howard’s Chapel built into a massive outcrop of native stone and DeSoto Falls.
Return to accommodations.
6:30pm-Dinner.
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| Day 6: | 7:00-8:00am -- Early risers coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
8:30am—Ride out from Valley View Ranch barn for a half-day farewell to the trails and horses.
Lunch will be at Mountain Grove if staying at the B&B or in the dining hall if staying at the Bunkhouse.
1:30pm—Depart by van to the Mentone, AL area to visit antique markets, artists and craft shops. Riders will have an opportunity to view a sweeping vista from the west brow.
Return to accommodations.
6:30pm -- Farewell dinner at The Wildflower Café’, featured in Southern Living. We will enjoy entertainment by local musicians with our tasty meal.
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| Day 7: | 7:00-8:00am - Early riser’s coffee and pastries followed by breakfast.
Depart by 11:00am or continue your stay on your own.
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| THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES. |
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| Pricing and Dates |
| Meeting Point | Cloudland, GA at Valley View Ranch |
| Length of Ride | 7 days, 6 nights and 4 1/2 days riding. |
| Riding Ability | Intermediate Novice |
| Group Size | Minimum-2 Maximum-10 |
| Riding Per Day | 3 to 6 hours |
| Pace | Moderate |
| Tack | Western and English |
| Horses | quarterhorse and quarterhorse cross |
| Weight Limit | 225 lbs |
| 2012 Dates | B&B Accommodations: April 29-May 5, Oct 7-13
Bunkhouse Accommodations: April 15-21, Sept 30-Oct 6 |
| 2012 Price | B&B Accommodations
2-3 Riders $2150
4-5 Riders $2090
6+ Riders $2025
Bunkhouse Accommodations
2-3 Riders $1875
4-5 Riders $1815
6+ Riders $1750
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| Single Supplement | B&B: $335 with private bath, $280 shared bath |
| Transfers | Transfer services available - not included in price. |
| Additional Information | Riders will be in groups according to riding ability. |
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