Five Landscapes on Horseback, Cork, Olives and Wine

Alentejo (Portugal), montado with cork oaks

Landscape. According to Turismo do Alentejo, the montados are the cork forests of the region, their bark is harvested every nine years, and the trees are protected by law. According to the same source the protected cork oaks allow ancient herding techniques to continue.

Season. In spring the meadows of the Alentejo bloom, and the region calls it a good time to visit. According to APCOR, cork is harvested from around mid-May to mid-August.

Offers. In our selection one ride near Évora through vineyards and heritage of the Alentejo, 1 hour, from 69 euros, level not stated, guide languages English, Spanish and Portuguese. We say openly that this is little, and it is a wine ride, not a ride through cork oaks. We found no cork or olive grove offers in the Alentejo. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Andalusia (Spain), Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche with dehesa

Landscape. According to the Junta de Andalucía, the dehesa is the main habitat of the nature park, a farming and grazing system created by people over centuries with Iberian pigs, sheep and cattle, cork extraction and honey.

Season. According to the official park guide, the ochre tones of autumn give way in spring to flowers and many shades of green.

Riding. The park guide lists riding routes only on "algunos tramos habilitados", that is, certain approved sections. We found no concrete rule, the Junta refers to ventanadelvisitante.es for current trail maps.

Offers. In our selection there is currently no offer here. We list the place anyway because the landscape is proven.

Tuscany (Italy), olive groves and vineyards in Chianti

Landscape. According to the tourism portal of the Region of Tuscany, large forest areas in the Chianti Classico area were turned into vineyards and olive groves, which shapes the landscape.

Season. According to the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico the grape harvest is in the last third of September to the second ten days of October, budding in April, flowering in May.

Offers. Ride with olive oil and regional food on a Tuscan farm, 5.5 hours, from 320 euros, level according to the provider beginners, English. Ride through the vineyards near Montepulciano, 1.5 hours, from 80 euros, level not stated, English, French, Italian. Ride in the vineyards, 1.5 hours, from 80 euros, level not stated. If you taste wine, ask the provider how riding and tasting are organised. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Catalonia (Spain), Empordà

Landscape. In the Empordà cork oak forest and vineyard grow side by side. According to the Consell Regulador of the DO Empordà, almost 40 percent of the cork oaks of Catalonia are concentrated in the comarques of Alt and Baix Empordà, and about half of their area is under management.

Climate. The winters are mild, the summers hot and tempered by sea breezes, and the strong north wind Tramuntana shapes cultivation, according to the DO Empordà.

Offers. Private ride with a winery visit from Barcelona, 5 hours, from 229 euros, level not stated, English and Spanish, pick-up possible according to the provider. Ride and wine tasting near Girona, 2.5 hours, from 80 euros. Whether the offers lead through the Empordà is stated by the provider. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

Algarve hinterland (Portugal), cork oak, almond and carob

Landscape. According to Turismo do Algarve, the Serra do Caldeirão is used for forestry through the cork oak, cork is combined with extensive cultivation of cereals or forage, and the result is a montado that is covered with colourful rugs in spring. In the Barrocal there are dryland orchards with carob, almond, fig and olive, a legacy of the Moors.

Season. According to Turismo do Algarve the almond blossom is worth seeing in February.

Offers. In our selection the Algarve offers lie on the coast, there is currently no offer in the hinterland. We list the place because of the proven landscape.

More wine rides in our selection

Ride and wine tasting in the Douro, 7 hours, from 220 euros. Ride and wine tour near Valencia, 6 hours, from 150 euros. Both are wine rides, not cork or olive grove rides, and they do not belong to the five landscapes above. Prices according to the provider, as of 4 October 2026.

What to pack

A head covering against the sun and long trousers against scrub. Sturdy shoes with a heel. Enough water, there is rarely water on the way in cork forests. A thin jacket for the evening. Ask the provider what they supply.

Questions for the provider

1. Which route is ridden, and do rules of the nature park or the winery apply there?

2. Which gaits are possible, and how much of it at a walk?

3. How big is the group, how many guides accompany it?

4. Which level and which weight limit apply?

5. What is included in the price (food, tasting, transfer, helmet)?

6. What happens in heat or rain?

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