Where to go horseback riding in Alsace?

Cheval Alsace at Champ du Feu (Vosges mountains)

Cheval Alsace is an equestrian tourism center located in Champ du Feu. Their location, at 1000m of altitude, is fabulous: it allows access to kilometers of trails… I went on a beautiful 3-hour horseback ride with them!

The half-day begins with the distribution of the horses, according to our desires (rather English Thoroughbred, Merens, Spanish, Fjord, Arabian Thoroughbred…There are many different breeds at Cheval Alsace!) and, of course, the level of the riders. I will be with Bolide, a nice Merens, for the afternoon. We’ll get them ready, and then we’ll be off for a lovely walk in the Vosges!

We discover the typical landscapes of the Vosges: the Vosges forest but also the valleys and the rounded peaks of the Vosges massif. Really beautiful! Our walk goes on quietly at the horses’ pace, with good gallops from time to time. My Bolide turns out to be a bit soft, but it is nice and I enjoy the ride. Only black point, the saddle frankly not comfortable… My butt remembers! 😉

After the ride, we take care of the horses and bring them back to the meadow. The horses of Cheval Alsace live in the pasture in a herd, a very good point to have happy horses and well in their head! With Cheval Alsace, it is possible to go for 2 hours, half a day, a day or even several days because it is possible to be lodged on site. It is also possible to go for a walk on the snow in winter…

Rand’Okla in Herrlisheim (Rhineland-Palatinate)

Here’s another equestrian tourism center I recommend: Rand’Okla is also a reference in Alsace! The stable is located in Herrlisheim, in the Rhineland region (about 30km north of Strasbourg, to give you an idea).

We’re surprised when we arrive, because the stable is located right in the center of the village – you’d never expect to find it there! The large, handsome blue Alsatian house with its yellow shutters is clearly recognizable. The stalls are at the back, but the horses are hardly ever there, as they all live outside in herds in the meadows all around the village. This is essential to ensure a good quality of life for your horses, and to keep them in good spirits!

As for the horses, Véro de Rand’Okla has chosen to ride almost exclusively Irish Cobs, an all-terrain breed of horse that is generally rather placid, which is ideal for ensuring the safety of riders of all levels. Even if you’re a beginner, you can come here with confidence: you’ll find calm, well-trained horses, as I’ve experienced, and it’s great fun!

Once the horses are ready, we’re off! I took a walk around the stable for about 2 hours. Admittedly, the scenery isn’t quite as spectacular as in the Vosges, but you’ll have a great time on the back roads of the Rhineland, especially as the atmosphere is so friendly!

There’s plenty of beautiful, long paths to trot and gallop along, so there’s plenty to do. Just make sure you bring mosquito repellent, as water is everywhere in the area, so it’s essential.

Note that thestable can be reached in 25 minutes by train from Strasbourg (plus a 10-minute walk): super convenient if you want to go horseback riding without going too far and without a car!

Rand’Okla organizes walks and hikes of various lengths, around the stable but also near Wangenbourg in the Massif des Vosges. There really is something for everyone!