Horseback riding in the Tabernas Desert: Film Trails
In summary
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Sports
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Duration2 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationSpain / Tabernas
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AgeFrom 16 - 70 years
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CO₂-Emissions41.25 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
English
Spanish
French
In a few words
Saddle up your mount for a day-long horseback ride of approximately 25 kilometers , specially designed for experienced riders who are perfectly proficient at walking , trotting , and cantering .
Discover the Tabernas Desert , Europe's only true natural desert . This wild and beautiful territory, renowned for its harsh yet fascinating environment, invites you to a unique experience combining exhilarating horseback riding and introspection . At your own pace, traverse badlands , ramblas , and vast plains with exceptional geological formations.
These arid landscapes are strikingly reminiscent of the famous American deserts of Arizona, California, or New Mexico. A major location for European Hollywood , this legendary landscape has served as the backdrop for hundreds of iconic films, hosting the adventures of Indiana Jones , the Blond , and even the Dothraki .
Set off to explore these legendary lands and experience a true cinematic adventure close to nature.
The highlights
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By definition, the only desert on the European continent.
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Horses that are well cared for and eager to give their best
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Accommodation at the ranch or inn: a shared space with desert views
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The course offered is not of great technical difficulty, although it requires knowing how to canter correctly, in a sustained manner, and being accustomed to long journeys on horseback.
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 6h
Management
English
Spanish
French
Certified riding instructor. Extensive experience in show jumping and trail riding. Fluent in French, Spanish, and English. He has worked at the ranch for over six years, accompanying our clients on their rides. He is an excellent professional.
Andrés is a young guide who speaks Spanish, French, and English fluently. A passionate horseman, he is currently working towards his riding instructor certification. With extensive knowledge of the desert, he leads both horseback riding and 4x4 excursions.
Our instructors speak English, French, and Spanish and are experts in organizing horseback riding tours in the Tabernas Desert. Théo is our head instructor; he handles the internal management of the department. He works alongside Andrés and Birgitt, both with many years of recognized experience in the equestrian and tourism sectors.
On the other hand, the ranch manager is Cristina, also bilingual, Spanish/French, who takes care of all the logistics and management necessary for the rides.
Program
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Welcome to the Tabernas Desert and Malcaminos Ranch
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The 2-day package is designed so that riders arrive the day before the first ride (day 1), allowing them to settle comfortably into the hostel. The hostel has a kitchen and two shared showers/toilets.
In the village of Tabernas, located 2 km away, it is possible to find supermarkets as well as several dining options for dinner on the first day.
Once settled in, you'll have your first contact with the guide/instructor and the horses. During approximately one hour, the instructor will conduct a briefing/training session to determine which horse and saddle are best suited to each rider. After the training session, the group will set a departure time for the following day, and the evening will be free. For the training session, it's advisable to wear riding attire to test the saddle and horse.
Day 1 -
Tabernas, cradle of cinema, origin of the European western
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation B&B
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
The route begins by traversing the desert ramblas, formed by erosion over time. The journey takes place within the desert itself, allowing participants to discover the landscape of this ancient sedimentary valley of marine origin.
Throughout the ride, all three gaits are offered to maximize enjoyment of the horse, while also allowing time to catch your breath and appreciate the surroundings. The instructor makes several strategic stops: for a quick snack/hydration, to explain the features of the surrounding landscape, and, if necessary, to stretch your legs.
Arrival at the Western village, built for filming numerous Western movies. Lunch on site, then free time to explore the Western village and watch the show. Once the tour of the Western set is over, the riders remount their horses to continue the journey to other areas of the desert, enjoying these magnificent landscapes and the art of horsemanship, back to the ranch via the main road.
The ride itself is not technically difficult. However, it is important to emphasize that the rider must be able to maintain a relaxed canter, without jumping, and have experience in long rides to avoid exhaustion.
The entire stage takes approximately 8 to 9 hours (including the western village), depending on the pace of the riders.
Day 2
Note
Meal flexibility: If you wish to exchange lunch on the second day for dinner on the first night, that is perfectly possible.
Itinerary & Sightseeing: The Western village visited varies depending on your booking date. Indeed, some periods coincide with annual closures or private bookings for film shoots. Therefore, the itinerary for the first day will be adjusted accordingly. In rare cases, the order of the horseback riding days may be changed; if this were to happen, you would be informed before your arrival.
Weather & Safety: In the event of a severe storm, we assess the situation on site. Rainfall in the region can be torrential and make the activity impossible. However, this remains exceptional: the Tabernas Desert is the driest area in Europe, and our hikes are organized during periods of lower risk.
Accommodation
Modest but comfortable accommodation with the best views of the desert. Terrace-solarium available.
Access
You can come on your own (rental car, taxi or bus). We will send you all the necessary instructions for your arrival.
- By taxi: Expect to pay around €50 to €60 from the airport.
- By bus: First, go to the Almería bus station from the airport (regular shuttles). Then take a bus to Tabernas. Be sure to check the timetable in advance as buses are infrequent. Once you arrive in Tabernas, we will pick you up by car to take you the last 2 kilometers to the ranch.
- By rental car: Bookable online or directly at the airport. It's the ideal option for exploring the region freely during your stay.
Go to the starting point
The day before your arrival, you will receive a WhatsApp message (remember to provide us with your number when booking) containing all the instructions to reach us.
It is very important to follow these instructions carefully: once outside the city, the GPS no longer works in the desert because this area is not accessible to private vehicles.
The road to the ranch is fully paved and marked with signs. If you are arriving by taxi and have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to call us.
Price details
The price includes
- 2 nights
- Breakfast
- Guide-monitor
- Insurance (helmet required)
- Horses with saddles (western or English) and saddlebags
- Visit to the western village with lunch on the first day
- Lunch on the second day
- Water will be provided during your stay, and snacks for walks. Remember to bring your own water bottle so you can refill it at the ranch.
The price does not include
- Personal insurance for each rider
- Transfers
- Personal expense
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Helmet
- Back protection (optional)
- Horse saddlebags for your belongings
- Waterproof (if needed)
- Saddles: We have English saddles (several), Icelandic saddles (2), Australian saddles (1), and Western saddles (4). If you have a preference for a particular type of saddle, please let us know. Tip: If you have never used a Western saddle before, we recommend bringing a different saddle to avoid any problems arising from unfamiliarity during a long ride.
Equipment to bring
- Riding boots and trousers.
*If you don't have boots, let us know, we can fit them for you (like low Decathlon boots or high ones if we have your size).
Clothing to bring
- Clothing for all seasons
- Water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Swimsuit in summer (some western villages have swimming pools)
The CRISTINA SERENA SEGUÍ team
A pioneer of active tourism in Tabernas since 2003, our local expert specializes in exploring this unique desert in Europe. Less than 2 km from the village, he offers a ranch with a guesthouse featuring six private rooms, each with a terrace. He organizes excursions by 4x4, on foot, or on horseback for all levels, from beginner to experienced rider, as well as group activities. His passionate and experienced local guides are fluent in French, Spanish, and English.
