Piquet Horse Trails

Piquet Horse Trails offers adventure horseback riding holidays. Trail packages range from 1 hour to 8 days, starting from mountainous Excelsior Farm, Piketberg, West Coast, Western Cape, South Africa. We cater for novice and experience riders, small groups, family groups, team building groups. Our popular 8 day Coastal Trail stretches as far as the picturesque Elands Bay, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, on the South African West Coast.

Piquet Farm (previously known as Excelsior Farm) lies in the Swartland-West Coast region of the Western Cape, South Africa. It is situated on top of the Piketberg Mountain also known as Piket-bo-Berg.

Patrick Carter, the owner and trail guide of Piquet Horse Trails, has a life time's experience with horses. A wealth of knowledge gained through his involvement with horse racing, stud farming and, in the last 14 years, his very popular horse trails.

When they are not out on trails, Piquet's ten very happy and fit horses graze in large paddocks by day. Patrick also has a well planned diet worked out for each horse, to suit their individual needs. Therefore breakfast and supper are served promptly every day in the stables.

Piquet Horse Trails various options include:

DAY TRIPS

• Mountain Meander - 1 hour. Gentle ride up a mountain slope with lovely indigenous fynbos vegetation and valley views. Suitable for inexperienced riders.

• Mountain Meander - 2 hour. Same as 1 hour ride, but travelling further with more beautiful views. Suits inexperienced and experienced riders.

• Dam Trail - 3 hours. Passing through fruit orchards and natural vegetation, crossing streams up the mountains slopes with a beautiful vista towards the Coast and Table Mountain on clear days. Viewing of San paintings possible. Suits fitter persons, inexperienced and experienced riders.

• Bo Berg Tea Garden Trail - 1 day. Gentle scenic ride on the mountain to the quaint tea garden/nursery for brunch. Continuing up a mountain slope to enjoy breathtaking views. Then back via the tea garden for light lunch/coffee and cake. 4-5h riding. Suits fitter persons, inexperienced and experienced riders.

• Goedverwacht Day Ride - 1 day. Meandering mountain descent to the historic moravian mission town, with a saddlebag picnic lunch. Interesting village in a beautiful valley. Return via different route. 5h riding. Suits fitter persons, less experienced and experienced riders.

OVERNIGHT TRAILS

• Coastal Trail - 8 Days: A circular route via Aurora with riding on the beach near Dwarskersbos to Elands Bay, returning along RAMSA registered Verloren Vlei, to Redelinghuys. Unforgettable experience! You need to be fit enough to ride for 6 hours per day and experienced enough to handle a horse over different terrains.

• Aurora Trail - 4 Days. Mountain and valleys, via Kapteinskloof to quaint town of Aurora. Visiting Helmut's unique restaurant/pub, continuing to a picturesque stone cottage at Agterdam. Mountain vistas. Home via Banghoek Nature Reserve. Experience required.

• Baboon Trail - 3 Days: Mountainous descend into the isolated Boskloof and via Banghoek valley (private reserve) to the charming overnight stops at Kapteinskloof and Agterdam. Stunning views, baboons and small game sightings. Mountain, valley and Sandveld fynbos. Experience required.

• Kapteinskloof Trail -2 Days. Riding down the north-western side of the mountain. Steep mountain path and river to beautiful valley. We overnight at the historic Kapteinskloof homestead in comfortable restored cottages. Experience required.

• Buglars Post Trail - 2 Days. A scenic ride along the mountain with fynbos and orchard views. On a clear day, Table Mountain can be seen in the distance. Beside a beautiful dam accompanied by the horses, we cook on an open fire and enjoy beautiful night skies. Sleeping out or in tents with rustic facilities. Suit less experienced riders.

• Mission Trail - 2 Days. Mountain trail with wonderful views, crossing streams and kloofs, overnighting in comfortable cottages in the village of Goedverwacht, where historic buildings are viewed from horseback. Friendly inhabitants wave us on our way past their colourful homes and gardens. Little to Medium experience required.

Western Coast, Western Cape, South Africa.

Mount, riding gear, and experienced guide.

Along the trail we provide all the accommodation (you might have to bring a sleeping bag and towels for certain venues) and meals. We include wine with meals and trailside water and refreshments.

We have an emergency first aid kit available, but you should bring your own personal medication, plasters, insect repelant, sunblock etc. along with the personal items and luggage you require.

First timers and experienced riders are all welcome.

Cost depends on several factors ranging from time of the year to size of the group. Please enquire for rate estimates.