Matera: sunset horseback riding tour on Murgia

The best part of this two-hour ride is the slow pace. You leave the noise behind and follow old paths through the Murgia and Parata Forest, where dry-stone walls, worked fields, Mediterranean shrubs, and sunset light do the entertaining. I like the gentle, well-cared-for horses and the clear beginner instruction. I also like that the group is limited to 10 people, so the outing should feel more personal than a large stable procession.

The main catch is simple: you need to be comfortable around animals and able to mount and ride without wheelchair assistance. Sandals, flip-flops, and short pants are poor choices, and there is no transfer, food, or drink included. You must make your own way to Masseria Morsara and arrive 15 minutes early.

Key points for this Murgia horseback ride

• Sunset through Parata Forest: The ride is timed around the changing light, with wooded paths and open views across the plateau.
• Suitable for beginners: A professional instructor gives basic riding guidance and stays with the group.
• Small group size: No more than 10 participants means less waiting and a calmer outing.
• Friendly horses: The horses are described as tame, peaceful, and well cared for.
• Two hours in the countryside: You get enough time for a real rural outing without giving up an entire day.
• Bring the right clothing: Long pants, comfortable clothes, water, and a jacket are essential. Closed, suitable riding shoes are required.

Leaving Matera for the Murgia at sunset

Matera is famous for its stone quarters and dramatic ravines, but the Murgia gives you a quieter side of the area. On horseback, you trade busy streets and polished viewpoints for narrow paths, dry-stone walls, cultivated fields, and scrubby Mediterranean plants.

The ride takes place through the Parata Forest, a wooded area that gives the route a welcome change of texture. One moment you may be following a path among shrubs; the next, the trees give way to open ground where your eye can wander across the plateau. The setting is rural rather than theatrical. That is exactly why it works.

I like this kind of outing for the way it changes your sense of time. A horse sets a measured rhythm. You notice the smell of the plants, the feel of the ground, and the quiet between hoofbeats. It is a good match for anyone who wants a break from sightseeing by checklist.

The sunset adds a clear reason to choose this departure over a daytime ride. Light moves across the fields and forest, and the open sections of the Murgia give you room to watch the sky change. Exact start times vary, so check availability when booking. The ride is organized daily, but you need to reserve at least 24 hours ahead.

Meeting your horse at Masseria Morsara

You meet at Masseria Morsara, with the exact address provided by mobile phone. Since transport is not included, plan your route before the day of the activity. Arrive 15 minutes before departure, giving yourself time to check in without rushing.

At the farm, you receive the riding equipment and meet your horse. The horses are described as tame, lovable, peaceful, and well cared for. That matters if you are new to riding. A calm horse can make the first few minutes much less intimidating, although no riding activity is entirely free of risk.

The staff also provides the necessary safety equipment and a riding lesson with professional instructors. The point is not to turn you into an expert in one session. It is to help you understand how to sit, guide the horse, and behave safely on the trail.

You will want to listen closely during this briefing. Basic rules are especially useful when the group moves from the farm onto uneven paths and through vegetation. The instructor leads the group throughout the outing, and the full insurance for the activity is included in the price.

Learning the basics before setting off

The introduction is one of the strongest practical features of the experience. The tour is open to adults in good health, and the information specifically says less experienced riders can take part with the guide’s support.

That does not mean you should arrive expecting a fast ride or a private lesson. The group is capped at 10 people, and the pace is designed to be calm. You should be prepared to follow the instructor’s directions and stay with the group.

For a first horseback ride, the slow speed is a plus. You have time to settle into the saddle, get used to the horse’s movement, and look around without having to manage a demanding route. For an experienced rider, the same pace may feel gentle rather than sporty.

This outing is best understood as a countryside ride with a sunset focus, not an exercise session. The value comes from the setting, the animals, and the chance to see the Murgia at ground level. If you want galloping or advanced riding practice, this is probably not the right choice.

Following the paths through Parata Forest

Once the group leaves the farm, the route follows Murgia paths through Parata Forest. The forest section brings shade and cooler air, while the Mediterranean maquis adds strong scents and a rough, natural character to the ride.

The surface and exact route can vary, but you should expect rural trails rather than smooth paved roads. Dry-stone walls mark parts of the countryside, and carefully worked fields alternate with more open and wooded sections.

That contrast keeps the ride interesting. You are not simply circling a fenced paddock. The horse carries you through an area shaped by farming, stonework, woodland, and scrub. You get a closer sense of the plateau because you are moving at walking pace, close to the ground.

I also like the old-fashioned quality of getting around by horse here. There is no engine noise from the activity itself, and the slow movement gives you time to notice details that are easy to miss from a car. The quiet is part of the experience, not an empty space between attractions.

The route is described as relaxing and suitable for people who enjoy open views and unspoiled nature. Keep your expectations measured, though. The supplied information does not promise a specific viewpoint, a distant panorama, or a particular sunset color. Weather and the season will shape what you see.

Watching the sun lower over the plateau

The sunset is the natural high point of the ride. The forest provides one kind of atmosphere, with trees and shrubs close around you. The open parts of the Murgia let your view stretch farther, giving the setting sun more room to work.

You should bring a jacket even in warm weather. Evening temperatures can drop, and the activity takes place outdoors for two hours. Water is also essential, since food and drinks are not included.

This is a good outing for photographers who prefer natural scenes to formal viewpoints, but the ride itself must come first. You will need to handle your horse and follow the group rather than stop wherever you like. Bring only what you can carry safely and comfortably.

The sunset also affects timing. Check the available departure slot rather than assuming the ride begins at a fixed hour. The operator schedules the activity around its available times, and the exact meeting details are provided by mobile phone.

What the $100.82 price really covers

At $100.82 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend two hours outdoors. It is also more than a basic horse rental because the fee includes the horse, riding equipment, professional instruction, safety equipment, and insurance for the entire experience.

That package makes the price easier to understand. You are paying for the farm setup, the guide, the horse, the equipment, and the organized route, not just time in the saddle. The small group limit of 10 is another useful part of the value.

The price works best for you if you want a guided, low-stress introduction to riding in a memorable setting. It works less well if you already have access to horses, want a long ride, or are mainly looking for a cheap sunset viewing spot.

There are extra costs to remember. You must arrange your own transfer to Masseria Morsara, and food and drinks are not included. A bottle of water and suitable clothing are small additions, but transport can affect your total budget.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Matera plans are still shifting.

Clothing, safety, and comfort on the trail

Wear long pants and comfortable clothes that allow you to sit in the saddle. Closed riding shoes are important. The activity does not allow sandals or flip-flops, and you should not arrive in anything loose or fragile that could catch on shrubs.

Bring:

• Water
• A jacket
• Long pants
• Comfortable, suitable shoes

The equipment needed for riding is provided, but your clothing still matters. A two-hour ride can feel much longer if your shoes rub or your trousers restrict movement.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with animal allergies, or people with visual impairments. It is also limited to adults in good health. These restrictions are not minor booking notes. They tell you that you need enough balance, mobility, and awareness to take part safely around horses and on rural paths.

The instructor speaks English and Italian. That makes the tour accessible to English-speaking visitors, but the practical briefing still deserves your full attention. Ask questions before leaving the farm if any riding instruction is unclear.

Why the horses matter as much as the view

The countryside is the main visual draw, but the horses shape the mood of the entire outing. The animals are described as friendly, peaceful, and well looked after. That is especially important if you feel nervous around horses or have little riding experience.

A calm horse does not remove every concern, but it can make the ride more approachable. You are not being thrown into a demanding lesson or a high-speed route. The instructor leads the group and supports less experienced riders along the paths.

There is also an ethical point here. When an outing depends on animals, their care should matter as much as the scenery. The available information presents the horses as tame and well maintained, which is reassuring. You can still use your own judgment when you arrive. Notice how the animals look and how the staff handles them.

The strongest praise connected to this activity centers on the horses and the team. The staff is described as experienced and friendly, while the horses are praised for their peaceful behavior. That combination is what makes the experience appealing to a first-time rider.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to adults who want a quiet rural activity and are happy with a walking-paced ride. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who want something different from Matera’s stone streets and standard sightseeing stops.

It is also a good fit for a first riding experience, provided you are comfortable around horses and physically able to mount, sit, and follow trail instructions. The lesson, safety equipment, guide support, and included insurance remove some of the uncertainty that can make a first ride stressful.

You may want to skip it if you dislike animals, have an allergy to them, need wheelchair access, or have limited mobility. You should also think twice if you want a thrilling or technically demanding ride. The appeal is calm movement, nature, and sunset, not speed.

The two-hour length is well judged for a travel schedule. It gives you a real outing without taking up an entire day. Still, allow extra time for reaching the farm and returning afterward, since the activity begins and ends at the meeting point.

Should you book the Murgia sunset ride?

Book this tour if you want a peaceful horseback outing with a strong sense of place, especially if you are new to riding. The combination of Parata Forest, open Murgia paths, gentle horses, professional guidance, and evening light gives you an experience that feels far removed from town.

Skip it if transport to Masseria Morsara is difficult, if you need accessible facilities, or if the $100.82 price feels high for two hours. The fee is reasonable for a guided activity with equipment, instruction, insurance, and a small group, but it is not a bargain outing.

For the right person, this is one of those simple travel experiences that works because it asks very little from you. Arrive prepared, listen to the instructor, let the horse set the pace, and give the Murgia time to reveal itself.

FAQ

How long does the horseback riding tour last?

The activity lasts two hours, including the guided ride through the Murgia and Parata Forest.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Masseria Morsara. The exact address is provided by mobile phone, and you should arrive 15 minutes before the start.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. A professional instructor provides riding training and explains the basic rules before departure. The activity information says less experienced riders can participate with the guide’s support.

What languages does the instructor speak?

The instructor speaks English and Italian.

What should I bring?

Bring water, a jacket, comfortable clothes, and long pants. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, so wear suitable closed shoes.

Is the experience suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not suitable for people with animal allergies or visual impairments.