Five rides in Greece, from Crete to Meteora

Crete, from Plakias and Finikia

Crete has more than 1,000 kilometres of coast. In the south lie the Asterousia mountains, which Visit Greece describes as wild, and in the west the Samaria Gorge. The offers start in Plakias, with a beach ride and a panorama ride, and in Finikia, with a ride that ends with a meal.

• Confirmed: coast, Asterousia mountains, Samaria Gorge (Visit Greece), climate and meltemi (Visit Greece).
• From the provider: Plakias and Finikia as start points, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride runs on the beach or inland and at what time it starts.

Santorini, caldera, Akrotiri and Megalochori

According to Visit Greece, the caldera is the result of intense volcanic activity over hundreds of thousands of years. Settlements sit on the crater rim, the beaches have black, red and white sand, and the cliffs fall steeply. According to the port authority, Akrotiri has an archaeological site, Red Beach and a castle, and Megalochori is a quiet village with older houses, churches and squares. The offers lead to the black sand beach, to Akrotiri, through Megalochori and to the caldera.

• Confirmed: caldera, beaches, climate of the island (Visit Greece), Akrotiri and Megalochori (Santorini port authority).
• From the provider: route, duration, meeting point.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride runs on the beach, in the village or at the cliff.

Naxos

Naxos is the largest and most fertile Cycladic island. Barren stretches alternate with fertile valleys, and Zas is the highest mountain in the Cyclades, in the middle of the island. There are long sandy beaches and mountain villages, among them Apeiranthos, Halki, Filoti and Kinidaros.

• Confirmed: size, landscape, beaches, villages (Visit Greece).
• From the provider: start, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride runs on the beach or inland.

Paros

Paros has sandy beaches and clear water, and the villages of Naoussa and Lefkes are well known. Visit Greece calls the island popular for windsurfing and sailing, which means it is windy here. The offers are a morning ride across the island and a ride at sunset.

• Confirmed: beaches, villages, wind and wind sports (Visit Greece).
• From the provider: start, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: how the provider handles strong wind.

Meteora

Photo Michelle Chadwick, Pexels

Meteora has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 and lies in Thessaly in the Trikala regional unit. Monks settled on the sandstone rocks from the 11th century onwards, the rocks rise over 400 metres and were formed about 60 million years ago from river deposits. Today communities live in only four monasteries, and the monasteries limit visiting hours. The area belongs to the Natura 2000 protected area network. The offers are a ride at sunset in front of the rocks and a short ride near Meteora.

• Confirmed: World Heritage, location, rocks, monasteries, Natura 2000 (UNESCO).
• From the provider: start, duration, level.
• Clarify before booking: whether the ride runs inside the protected area and which hours apply there.

Season at a glance

For Greece as a whole, Visit Greece describes hot, dry summers in which the meltemi cools the days, cooler mountains and mild winters in the lowlands. As a hint from that: plan coastal and beach rides for early or late in the day and check wind and heat for your date. We do not give month-by-month climate figures. For the sunset rides on Paros and at Meteora, ask for the exact time, which changes with the season.

What to pack

Sun protection, plenty of water, light clothing, sturdy shoes with a heel, a wind jacket for coastal rides, and for beach rides clothing that copes with salt and sand. Ask the provider what is supplied.

Questions for the provider

1. How much of the time are you in the saddle?
2. Which level and which weight limit apply?
3. How big is the group?
4. What applies in heat or strong wind?
5. Where is the meeting point, is there pick-up?
6. How are breaks and water for the horses handled?
7. Does the ride run in a protected area or on the beach, and which rules apply there?