Vineyard Horseback and cava tasting just outside Barcelona
Find a fun and original way to spend the day with family and friends: enjoy a horseback ride near Barcelona, in the Cava region of Penedés. Just 40 kilometers from Barcelona, this wine tourism getaway is close enough for a day trip to feel far away from the city. The peaceful vineyard landscapes, the calm Mediterranean landscape, and the Montserrat mountains, which rise majestically from any viewpoint, create the perfect setting for a relaxing horseback ride near Barcelona.
In this blog, we present you three fantastic places in the Cava region of Penedés where you can enjoy a horseback riding adventure through vineyards and rural trails. To make the day even more special, each ride can be combined with a visit to a nearby winery, whether it’s a cava tasting, a traditional Catalan meal or simply a stroll among the cellars. It is the perfect combination of nature, culture and gastronomy all in one.
About Wino Tours: We are a travel agency specializing in wine and food tours near Barcelona, dedicated to creating authentic and unforgettable experiences in the Penedès. For the past 5 years, we have been organizing a variety of activities tailored to your interests. If you would like more information about these horseback riding routes or any other wine tasting experience in the Penedès, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Our criteria when choosing a good riding school near Barcelona
When planning a horseback riding trip, it is essential to choose a good riding school. It is not only about enjoying a pleasant ride, but also about ensuring the welfare of the animals and the safety of the riders. In the case of the three establishments presented in this blog, they are professional equestrian centers whose main activity is the training of children and adults in the art of riding, the organization of tournaments and the care and attention of private horses. Therefore, the outings among vineyards are a complementary activity, designed for specific moments and always under the experience of qualified instructors.
This approach ensures that the horses are not subjected to long days of routes, but receive a close and responsible treatment by the caretakers. In addition, the stables are located in privileged environments, away from urban noise, surrounded by nature and in spaces that allow the horses to rest, move freely and interact with other animals. All this translates into an ideal environment both for the visitor, who lives the experience in a more authentic way, and for the horses themselves, who enjoy a healthy and respectful lifestyle.
Our favorite places to go horseback riding near Barcelona
Below we are going to introduce the three places where you can find worthwhile horseback riding near Barcelona. Each one is special for a particular reason. Here is a summary:
- Hípica Excelsior is only 20 minutes walk from a train station, so it is suitable forthose who want to arrive by train from Barcelona. Ideal for families
- Hípica Maset dels Cavalls, its route crosses streams, small forests and if you feel like it, you will have the opportunity to go a little at a trot or even at a gallop. Ideal for groups of friends.
- Horseback riding at the Gramona winery, ideal for those who come with the desire to taste delicious sparkling wines from the Gramona winery known for its Corpinnat brand wines.
1. The Excelsior riding school near the Lavern-Subirats train station.
The Excelsior riding center is an ideal option for those who wish to arrive by public transport, as it is only a 20-minute walk from the Lavern-Subirats station. This accessibility makes it a perfect alternative for travelers who prefer to arrive by train from Barcelona and enjoy a full day in the Penedès without a car.
The center is managed by Mar, a young entrepreneur and horse lover who has been passionately dedicated for years to the care of her equestrian center in the family farmhouse, surrounded by vineyards. Its proposal offers a relaxed and close experience: horseback riding through the fields, contemplate the views of Montserrat from different points of the route and, for families, the possibility for the little ones to enjoy riding on one of the adorable ponies of the equestrian center. An endearing way to experience nature.
2. The Maset dels cavalls equestrian center, a place to experience adventure.
Located very close to Vilafranca del Penedès, Maset dels Cavalls is the perfect place for those looking to combine nature and excitement. Its owner, Joan, is a passionate rider with a long career as a riding instructor, which allows him to guide groups of different sizes with total safety and proximity. Here, the rides are adapted to the level of the participants, offering routes of one or two hours that go through a varied landscape: trails through vineyards, lush forests and small streams that bring a wild air to the experience.
For the more adventurous, Joan proposes outings that not only include walking, but also trotting and even galloping, always previously evaluating the level of each rider. The two-hour route is especially recommended, as it leads to the Penedès mountains, from where unique views of the region can be enjoyed. The feeling of freedom, the contact with nature and the thrill of the ride make this experience an authentic equestrian adventure hard to forget.
3. La Hípica of the Gramona winery in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
If you are a lover of sparkling wine, this is, without a doubt, an experience not to be missed. The prestigious Gramona winery, recognized as one of the great producers of sparkling wines in the region and member of the Corpinnat group, offers a unique plan that combines nature and oenology. In addition to its complete wine tourism experiences and exquisite cava and wine tastings, here you can enjoy a relaxing 30-minute horseback ride through the vineyards surrounding the estate.
During the route you will discover the essence of the territory and the importance of three fundamental grape varieties for the sparkling wines of the Penedès: xarel-lo, macabeu and parellada. A different way to approach the local winemaking tradition, living closely the landscape where some of the best sparkling wines of the region, known as
What to do after the horseback ride?
Always after and never before, we offer the possibility of participating in one of the wine tourism activities presented below.
1. Cava pairing in a family winery.
Close to the Excelsior equestrian center and accessible by train, you will find a family winery called Cava Guileraspecializing in long-aged cavas. Therefore, we will have an excellent quality of sparkling wines. For only €15 we can have a tasting of three cavas paired with cheese and chocolate.
2. Picnic with vine views and fresh food.
Another option we can choose is to have a picnic among the vineyards at the Giró del Gorner winery. This is an ideal activity if we go as a family. Well, children get a discount and will love eating next to the vines. With seasonal and regional products: potato omelette, sausages, farmhouse bread… accompanied by the best wine from the winery.
3. Ecobrunch in an organic winery.
For the most sybarites and wine lovers, this activity offers a visit to the vineyards, with wine tasting, and an ecobrunch overlooking the vineyards. In addition, you will enjoy the wines of the winery of Eudald Massana Noya a winery specialized in organic farming. All for 49€.
Do you want to organize a getaway to the Penedés with a horseback ride?
We are a travel agency specializing in wine and food tours near Barcelona, dedicated to creating authentic and unforgettable experiences in the Penedès. For the past 5 years, we have been organizing a variety of activities tailored to your interests. If you would like more information about these horseback riding routes or any other wine tasting experience in the Penedès, please do not hesitate to contact us.
