A horseback ride through vineyards and wine tasting near 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 tourism near Barcelona, dedicated to creating authentic and unforgettable experiences in the Penedès region. From private cava tastings to bike tours, cultural visits, and, since 3 years ago, horseback riding through vineyards, we organize all kinds of activities tailored to your interests. If you would like more information about these horseback riding routes or any other wine tourism experience in the Penedès, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our criteria when choosing a good horse ride 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. The three establishments presented in this blog are professional equestrian centers, primarily focused on training children and adults in riding, organizing tournaments, and caring for private horses. Therefore, the outings among vineyards are a complementary activity, designed for specific moments and always under the guidance of qualified instructors.

This approach ensures that the horses are not subjected to long days of routes, but receive 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 more authentically, 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:

1. Hípica Excelsior is only a 20-minute walk from a train station, making it suitable forthose who want to arrive by train from Barcelona.
2. 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 trotting or even galloping.
3. Horseback riding of 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 come 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 closeness. 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 give a wild air to the experience.

For the more adventurous, Joan proposes outings that not only include walking, but also trotting and even galloping, constantly 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 definitely an experience not to be missed. The prestigious Gramona winery, recognized as one of the great producers of sparkling wines in the region and a 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 approach to the local winemaking tradition involves living closely with the landscape, where some of the region’s best sparkling wines, known as Corpinnat, are born. A brief but very special experience that connects the elegance of the wine with the beauty of the vineyards on horseback.

Wine tasting experiences to do after the horseback riding tour

Always after and never before, we recommend visiting some of the wineries we promote in our posts.

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 Guilera specializing in long-aged cavas. So 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 among vineyards with natural products.

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 have a discount and they will love eating next to the vineyards. 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 most gourmets 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 cellar of Eudald Massana Noya a winery specialized in organic farming. All for 49€.

We are experts in organizing wine tourism routes for groups.

If you would like more information about these horseback riding routes or any other wine tourism experience in the Penedès, please do not hesitate to contact us.