A Montserrat horseback riding tour is the one product in our lineup that puts you in the saddle instead of on foot or behind a bus window, and I’d treat it as a genuinely different day out rather than just another way to see the same scenery. Here’s what I’d check first, before anything else: whether you actually meet the operator’s age and weight requirements, since that single detail decides whether this tour is even an option for you.
I’m reasoning through this from what the scraped tour details actually include, the route, the group size, the stated limits, not from a personal ride of my own, since the right call depends more on whether you meet the requirements and want this specific experience than on any general enthusiasm for horses. For every other active way to see the mountain, our Montserrat hiking guide covers the trail network by difficulty if riding turns out not to be the fit you expected.
What Does the Montserrat Horseback Riding Tour Actually Include?
The Montserrat walking and horseback riding tour starts with a visit to the monastery and the Basilica, then a guided walk through Montserrat National Park, before the group heads to a local ranch for a one-hour guided horseback ride along mountain trails. Round-trip transport from Barcelona, a guide, the ride itself and accident insurance are all included.
I’d call this a genuinely full day rather than a quick add-on. The monastery visit and the walk both happen before the ride, so you’re not just showing up, hopping on a horse and leaving, you’re getting the cultural half of a Montserrat day alongside the riding.
How Long Is the Horseback Riding Portion?
The guided ride itself runs about one hour, as part of a 6.5-hour day that also covers the monastery visit and a walk through the national park beforehand. I’d set expectations accordingly: this isn’t a multi-hour trail ride, it’s a focused hour in the saddle bookended by the rest of a standard Montserrat day.
My honest take is that an hour is enough to genuinely feel the terrain and enjoy the views without exhausting riders who aren’t used to being on a horse for long stretches.
What Are the Age and Weight Requirements?
This is the detail I’d check before anything else. The operator states the tour isn’t suitable for children under 12, wheelchair users, or riders over 200 lbs (91 kg), and it reserves the right to deny participation on the day if those requirements aren’t met, with no refund for the horseback portion in that case.
I’d email the operator directly ahead of time if there’s any doubt about whether you or anyone in your group qualifies. Finding out at check-in, after you’ve already traveled out to Montserrat, is a genuinely bad way to discover you don’t meet the requirements.
Do You Need Riding Experience?
No, the tour doesn’t require prior experience, though I’d still go in with reasonable expectations about what a first-time ride feels like. The trails involve real terrain and mountain paths, not an arena, so some basic comfort on a horse makes the experience more enjoyable even though it isn’t a strict requirement.
I’d recommend this specifically to confident, able-bodied travelers who want a real outdoor activity, rather than someone looking for a gentle, passive experience. It’s an active tour even though the walking portion is shorter than our dedicated hiking options.
How Does This Compare to Hiking the Same Trails?
Our Sant Jeroni summit hike guide covers the mountain’s hardest trail on foot, which is a very different kind of physical effort from an hour in the saddle. Riding trades the cardio demand of hiking for a different set of physical requirements entirely, the age and weight limits above, which makes it a genuinely separate decision rather than simply an easier version of hiking.
I’d pick horseback riding specifically for the novelty and the views from a different vantage point, not as a shortcut for someone who can’t manage a hike but still wants to cover similar ground.
What Should You Wear for the Horseback Ride?
I’d wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes rather than sandals, and clothing you don’t mind getting a bit dusty, since you’re at a working ranch rather than a polished arena. Water and snacks aren’t included, so I’d pack both, especially given the day’s full schedule covers the monastery and a walk before the ride even starts.
A layer is worth bringing too. The ranch and the surrounding trails sit at a real elevation above Barcelona, and riders standing around at the start or end of the ride feel the cooler air more than they expect on a day that started warm in the city.
Is This Tour Good for Families?
Only partially, and I’d be specific about why. The monastery visit and the walk through the national park suit most families fine, but the horseback portion itself has a hard minimum age of 12, which rules it out for younger kids entirely. Our visiting with kids guide covers which tours actually suit families if you’re traveling with younger children who can’t meet this tour’s age limit.
I’d save this one for a family trip where every rider genuinely meets the age requirement, rather than trying to split the group between a ride and something else happening separately.
How Do You Book This Tour?
Booking works like any other tour in our lineup, through the standard checkout with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. I’d book a few days ahead if your dates are flexible, since small-group activity tours like this one, with limited horses and a capped group size, tend to fill faster than a standard bus tour.
If you’re still unsure whether you or your group meet the stated requirements, I’d reach out to the operator directly before paying rather than booking first and hoping it works out on the day.
What Happens If the Weather Is Bad?
The tour may be cancelled due to overly cold or wet weather, since the ride happens outdoors regardless of what’s going on with the monastery portion of the day. I’d check the forecast before your date and build in some flexibility if you’re traveling during a season prone to sudden weather changes.
Is This Tour Worth the Price?
At EUR 98.10, it’s one of the pricier half-day options in our lineup, and I’d call that fair specifically because of what you’re paying for, the horses, the small-group format and a genuinely different activity, not padding on a standard monastery tour. If horseback riding is specifically what you want, I think the price reflects a real experience rather than an inflated version of a cheaper tour.
If riding isn’t the specific draw and you just want the monastery and some time on the mountain, I’d steer you toward the cogwheel, Black Madonna and winery tour instead, which covers similar cultural ground at a lower starting price without the activity add-on.
My Honest Verdict
I’d recommend this tour without hesitation to anyone who specifically wants to ride and genuinely meets the age and weight requirements. It’s the only product in our lineup that offers this exact experience, and the monastery visit built into the day means you’re not sacrificing the cultural side of Montserrat to get it. The one real caveat is confirming you qualify before you pay, since the no-refund policy on denied participation is strict and clearly stated.
For every other way to spend active time on the mountain, our Montserrat hiking guide is worth a look, and the full Montserrat tours and tickets lineup covers everything else if horseback riding isn’t quite the activity you were after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the age and weight limits for the Montserrat horseback riding tour?
The tour isn’t suitable for children under 12, wheelchair users, or riders over 200 lbs (91 kg). The operator can deny participation on the day if these aren’t met, with no refund for that portion.
Do I need horse riding experience for this tour?
No prior experience is required, though basic comfort on a horse makes the hour-long ride more enjoyable given the real mountain terrain involved.
Does the Montserrat horseback riding tour include the monastery?
Yes. Entrance to the Abbey and Basilica is included, along with a guided walk through the national park before the horseback portion begins.
Can I get a refund if I don’t meet the requirements?
No. The operator states no refunds are given if participation is denied for not meeting the stated age or weight requirements, so I’d confirm you qualify before booking.
According to Wikipedia’s entry on Santa Maria de Montserrat, the monastery sits inside a protected natural park on a distinctive rock massif, the same terrain that makes both the hiking trails and this horseback route genuinely different ways to experience the same mountain.
