The Best Horse Riding Experience in Gran Canaria (2 hours)

The best part of this ride is the view: from horseback, you look across the hills toward Maspalomas and its famous sand dunes, with the island’s dry, rugged terrain under you. I especially like the careful horse-and-rider matching and the included hotel pickup, two details that make this a friendly choice for first-time riders.

The main thing to consider is the route. The ground is rocky and uneven, so the pace can be slow, with plenty of stopping when riders of different abilities share a group. This is primarily a scenic walking ride, not a fast-moving horseback adventure.

Key points to know before you ride

• Wide views from El Salobre: The trail gives you a high look over Maspalomas, the dunes, and the surrounding Gran Canaria mountains.
• Good support for beginners: You receive an introduction before riding, and the horses are matched to your confidence and ability.
• Experienced riders may get more: Trotting or cantering can be possible, but it depends on the group, the guide, and the horse you are assigned.
• Rocky ground shapes the ride: Expect a careful pace over rough terrain rather than a smooth, sweeping gallop.
• Small-group format: The maximum is 12 people, with up to six riders per guide.
• Pickup saves effort: Hotel transfer is available, and the activity returns to the El Salobre meeting point after the ride.

Riding above Maspalomas from El Salobre

El Salobre sits inland from the busy resort belt of southern Gran Canaria. That change of setting matters. Instead of spending the whole outing beside roads, shops, or hotel blocks, you reach open mountain country where the views become the main event.

From horseback, the ride looks across the whole of Maspalomas. The dunes are a striking feature from above, especially because they contrast with the dry hills and stony ground around El Salobre. You are not simply sitting in a paddock and circling the same patch of land. The route heads into the hills, giving you changing angles and a sense of the island’s rough interior.

The scenery is stark rather than lush. You might find the rocky slopes beautiful, but they are not soft riding country. Some sections are stony enough to make the horses pick their way carefully. That gives the ride a slower rhythm, yet it also lets you pay attention to the views and to the sure-footed way the horses handle the ground.

What happens before you mount

The start point is El Salobre Horse Riding at C. Islas Malvinas, 3, in El Salobre. Before setting off, you receive a safety talk and basic instructions. This is especially useful if you have never ridden before or feel nervous around horses.

The guides explain how to handle the reins, how to give simple riding signals, and how to behave around the animals. A proper introduction can make a big difference. Several beginners describe arriving with little or no experience and becoming comfortable once the staff had explained what to do.

The horses are then matched to the riders. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing. The team knows the individual horses and ponies and aims to place quiet, steady animals with beginners, while riders with more ability may receive a horse with a little more energy.

You may also have a chance to see the horses before the ride begins. That can help children and nervous adults settle down. The horses are described as large, strong, well trained, and generally well cared for, though individual behavior can vary from one day to the next.

Helmets are included. Safety vests are available for the youngest riders, another useful touch for families. Riding boots are not listed as included, but one rider noted that jodhpur boots could be rented for €3. If you want extra ankle support, it is worth asking about this before mounting.

The two-hour trail and its rough terrain

The riding portion lasts about two hours, while the full activity takes approximately three hours. The extra time covers pickup, preparation, instruction, and getting mounted, so do not read the advertised duration as three full hours in the saddle.

The route heads through the hills around El Salobre. Most of the ride is at a walk, with only a small amount of road riding to and from the trail area. The rocky ground makes a cautious pace sensible. The horses are used to the terrain, but the surface can still feel uneven beneath you.

You will likely cross sloping sections where the guide explains how to ride uphill and downhill. Keep your attention on the horse, not only on the scenery. On steep or stony ground, good posture and steady reins matter more than trying to push the pace.

The group can stop from time to time for advice and photographs. These pauses are useful for beginners and give you a chance to take in the view over Maspalomas. They can also make the ride feel stop-start if you are an experienced rider placed behind a slower beginner.

That is the central trade-off here. The maximum group size is 12, and each guide handles up to six riders, which is fairly personal for a shared outing. Still, riders with mixed ability may travel together. If one person struggles to keep a pony moving, the entire line can slow down.

Beginners, children, and nervous riders

This is best suited to people who want a safe introduction rather than an intense riding session. The horses are accustomed to inexperienced riders, and the guides give clear instructions at the start. Families have ridden together with children and teenagers, including children who had never been on a horse before.

A nervous rider can benefit from the calm structure. You are not expected to arrive already knowing how to steer, and the staff take time to explain the basics. Some children have needed reassurance at first and later relaxed into the ride.

That said, a two-hour trek is a long time in the saddle for a complete beginner. One rider specifically noted that two hours can feel like plenty, even for someone who enjoys the outing. If you have never ridden, expect some stiffness or tiredness afterward.

The horses may stop, turn, play with the reins, or show other normal behavior. A safety talk covers the risk of a horse trying to roll, including the need to keep its head up if it lowers its nose toward the ground. Listen closely. The guide’s instructions are not filler, especially on uneven ground.

The safety record described in the supplied information is generally reassuring, but one account involved a rider falling when a horse rolled and hurting a knee. The important practical point is to follow the instructions, keep your attention on the horse, and speak up at once if you feel unsafe or need help.

What experienced riders can expect

The tour is advertised for all ability levels, but experienced riders should set expectations carefully. The main ride is a guided trail at a controlled pace. It is not a private schooling session or a guaranteed canter through open country.

Some stronger riders have been allowed to trot briefly or canter, while others have spent nearly the entire outing walking. The decision depends on the guide, the horse, the ground, and the abilities of everyone in the group.

Rocky terrain is a major factor. Even an experienced rider may prefer a measured walk where the horse must place each hoof carefully. A short trot or canter may happen on a suitable stretch, but you should not book this if fast riding is your main goal.

I would describe the ride as a scenic outing with optional moments of extra pace, not as a performance riding trip. If you want to ride abroad, meet well-trained horses, and enjoy mountain views, it can be a fine fit. If you want long stretches of galloping, look for a specialist ride designed around advanced riders.

Horse care and matching

The condition and attitude of the horses matter greatly on any riding holiday. The strongest praise for this activity centers on the animals. Riders describe them as well trained, happy, healthy, energetic, and clearly cared for by the staff.

The guides are familiar with the horses and use that knowledge when assigning mounts. Horses named in individual accounts include Divino, Casino, Lucifer, Kabul, and others. The names are a small detail, but they show how much the enjoyment of the outing depends on finding the right match between horse and rider.

Most accounts describe calm, dependable horses. A few raise concerns about horses stopping often, looking tired, or seeming stale in their work. Those comments do not erase the many positive reports, but they are worth keeping in mind. Animals have good and bad days, and behavior can differ from one horse to another.

If your horse repeatedly stops, tries to bite at your feet, plays with its reins, or seems uncomfortable, tell the guide clearly. The staff can only respond properly if they know what you are feeling and what the horse is doing.

Pickup, group size, and the practical details

Hotel pickup is offered, which is useful if you are staying in the Maspalomas area or another part of southern Gran Canaria. The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking, so do not assume that the time shown for the ride is your collection time.

The activity begins and ends at the El Salobre meeting point, even if you use the transfer. The ride is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability, and the activity is usually booked around 12 days ahead. That makes advance planning sensible during busy holiday periods.

The maximum group size is 12 people, with six riders per guide. This is smaller and easier to manage than a large riding procession, but it does not guarantee that everyone will have the same skill level.

Bring water. Southern Gran Canaria can feel hot and exposed, and two hours on a horse is physical work even at a walk. Wear practical clothing that allows your legs to move, and ask about the €3 riding boots if you would prefer more secure footwear.

The weight limit is 110 kilograms. The supplied information states that people above this weight cannot take part, so check this before booking rather than arriving and being turned away.

Is $67.75 good value?

At $67.75 per person, the price is fair if you value the hotel transfer, the instruction, and the mountain setting. You are paying for more than time on a horse. The cost also covers the staff, horse matching, helmets, safety equipment for young riders, and the work involved in managing a mixed-ability group across rough ground.

The value is strongest for first-time riders and families. Pickup removes the need to arrange transport to El Salobre, and the introduction reduces the worry of not knowing what to do. For a family with several different ages and ability levels, the staff’s horse matching can make the outing much easier.

The value is less clear for an experienced rider seeking speed. Since the ride may include little or no cantering, you could feel that the price buys a scenic walking trek rather than a serious riding session.

The 4.5 rating from 349 ratings and the 90 percent recommendation rate point to a broadly successful outing. I would treat those figures as a sign of consistency, not a promise that every group will have the same pace or the same horse behavior.

Who should book this ride?

I would point this outing toward:

• First-time riders who want a guided introduction
• Families with children and teenagers
• Nervous riders who need patient instruction
• Casual riders who enjoy scenery more than speed
• Experienced riders who are happy with a walking trail and might get a short faster section
• Holidaymakers who want hotel pickup and a half-day activity

I would be cautious if you dislike uneven ground, find two hours in a saddle uncomfortable, or want a guaranteed gallop. The route is rocky, and the pace can be shaped by the least confident rider in the group.

The safety vests for young riders and the staff’s ability to match horses make this a sensible family option. Still, parents should listen carefully to the safety talk and make sure children understand that horses can stop, turn, or try to roll.

Cancellation and weather

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The ride needs good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

My verdict on the El Salobre ride

Book this if you want mountain views, well-matched horses, and a gentle introduction to riding near Maspalomas. The guides receive strong praise for helping beginners, and the pickup service makes the outing easy to fit into a beach holiday.

Go in expecting a careful walking ride over rocky ground. You might trot or canter if your ability, horse, and group make it suitable, but it is not guaranteed. For a first ride, a family activity, or a scenic change from the resort, $67.75 is reasonable. For an advanced rider chasing speed, choose a more specialized horseback trip.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding activity last?

The full activity takes approximately three hours, including preparation and related arrangements. The horseback trek itself lasts about two hours.

Where does the ride start and finish?

It starts at El Salobre Horse Riding, C. Islas Malvinas, 3, 35106 El Salobre, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off from your Gran Canaria hotel are offered. The exact pickup time is provided after your booking is confirmed.

Is this ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The ride is designed for first-time riders through advanced riders. You receive basic instruction, and the horses are matched to your ability.

What equipment is included?

A helmet is included. Safety vests are provided for the youngest riders. Jodhpur boots may be available to rent for €3, but they are not listed as included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.