Horseback Riding

If you plan to go horseback riding in Hawaii plan ahead. While horseback riding might not be your first vision of things to do in a beach/volcano/waterfall paradise, it is one of the premier activities in the Hawaiian archipelago. The reason for planning ahead is that you will need the proper riding gear. This means that you will need boots, pants and shirt for horseback riding. Especially remember that while Hawaii is a hot place, up in the mountains it can get chilly. Some of the riding trails do head to the summits and you can encounter snow. A jacket might be in order although most places provide jackets, chaps, helmets, hats, and boots.

Of course, you do not have to head for the hills for a horseback riding tour. There are many tours available throughout the countryside. You can follow a trail through tropical orchards and forests as well as the mountains. There are even beaches where you can ride a horse. Actually, with the sunsets so spectacular sunset tours along some beaches are specifically arranged simply because the scenery is breath-taking.

The point of visiting Hawaii is to soak in the sun, sand, and water but the scenery of the whole series of islands is diverse and exciting not to mention unusual. There are nooks and crannies of the volcanic terrain that are only accessible through narrows unpaved trails. Horseback riding is not only a treat for horse loving people but the sights that the Hawaiian trails take you past are rare gems that are not found in too many other places in the world.

The tours are uniformly respectful of the level of expertise of some riders and group tours are designed for beginners. The horses are gentle and well trained. The guides provide helpful information. The groups tend to be small so that it is easy to keep everything at a pace that is comfortable for all involved. More advanced riders may be able to make arrangements for romantic rides à deux.

There are long horseback rides such as the two and a half hour tour around the Valley of the Kings or Waipi’o Valley up to the pinnacle of the waterfall, Hi’ilawe. This tour goes past sugar cane fields and the ubiquitous taro patches, along black sand beaches. For the adventurous, the ride can be extended to a longer ride into the rain forest.

There are some standard restrictions at most horseback riding places. Riders have to sign a waiver. They also need to be eight years old or older and weigh no more than 230 pounds.

Hawaii Horseback Riding Tour Providers and Reviews

Big Island

• Na’alapa Stables
• Paniolo Adventures
• Cowboys of Hawaii
• Waipio Ridge Stables

Maui

• Piiholo Ranch
• Ironwood Ranch
• Mendes Ranch
• Pony Express Tours
• Lahaina Stables
• Makena Stables
• Maui Stables

Oahu

• Gunstock Ranch
• Kualoa Ranch
• Happy Trail Hawaii

Kauai

• Esprit De Corps
• Princeville Ranch Adventures
• Silver Falls Ranch