Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

The best part of this four-hour horseback ride near Permet is the setting: old stone paths, mountain villages, the Lengarica Canyon, and the wild Vjosa region unfold at a pace that lets you actually look around. You may ride at a walk, trot, or canter, depending on your ability and the route chosen.

I like the small-group feel and the care given to the horses. I also like the simple picnic of fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks, which turns a ride into a proper half-day outing. The main caution is physical: mountain riding can be demanding, and a few hours in the saddle may not suit everyone.

Key points to know before you ride

• The route changes with your riding ability: Funky Adventures chooses a trail based on the group, with the Lengarica Canyon route a favorite.
• Leuse Church is a cultural highlight: Saint Maria Church in Leuse brings old village architecture and striking religious paintings into the day.
• Small groups keep the ride personal: The experience is advertised with a maximum of seven riders in one section of the information, while another description mentions up to 10, so confirm the final group size when booking.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides including Avenir, Avi, and Lilly provide calm instruction, and the horses are described as well behaved and healthy.
• The thermal baths are nearby: After riding, you can head toward Benja’s hot springs, about 20 minutes from Permet.
• The $96.79 price covers more than a saddle: Snacks, drinks, a riding helmet, and air-conditioned transport are included, but lunch, insurance, and accommodation cost extra.

Riding through Permet’s quiet mountain country

Permet is one of southern Albania’s best bases for getting beyond the main roads. The town sits near the Vjosa, one of Europe’s last wild rivers, with old villages and mountain routes spreading out on both sides of the water.

This is not a polished riding arena experience. You set out into the countryside, following tracks that have long connected villages, springs, churches, and valleys. The horses give you a slow, open view of the area. You can notice the stone walls, grazing sheep, goats, and changing slopes instead of watching them flash past a car window.

The scenery is the chief reason to book. You may pass hills with wide views, old ruins, cold-water springs, and the rocky walls of the Lengarica Canyon. The route depends on the group’s ability, so the exact order of sights can change. That is a plus for mixed groups, since the guide can avoid pushing beginners too hard.

The setting also gives the ride a strong local character. Villages such as Benja, Ogdunani, Leuse, and Badlonje are known for stone houses, cobbled lanes, springs, and old churches. You are not simply taking a horse around a field. You are using an old form of transport on trails tied to the region’s daily life.

What happens before the horses leave

The meeting point is Funky Guest House and Adventures at Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri in Permet. The experience begins and ends there, with air-conditioned vehicle transport included.

You should expect the staff to match the route to the riders. That matters if your group includes people who have never ridden. The instructions are aimed at giving beginners confidence, while more experienced riders can usually enjoy different riding speeds when the trail allows.

The material names Avenir, Avi, and Lilly among the people involved in guiding the rides. Their roles may vary by departure, but the useful point is that you should receive hands-on guidance rather than being sent off without preparation.

A riding helmet is included. You should still wear practical clothing and shoes suitable for time outdoors, since the ride passes over natural trails rather than smooth roads. The supplied information does not give a weight limit, age range, or detailed clothing list, so ask Funky Adventures directly if any of those points matter to you.

Saint Maria Church of Leuse

The stated itinerary includes Saint Maria Church of Leuse. This is a good first cultural stop because it brings the ride into one of the area’s old village settings.

Leuse is known for stone homes, cobblestones, and historic churches with painted interiors. The church gives you a reason to slow down and look closely at the local building style rather than treating the day as a simple outdoor activity.

Do not expect a long guided history lesson or a full museum visit. The stop is part of a riding route, so timing may depend on the horses, weather, and the group. Its value is in the combination of church, village, and mountain setting.

For many people, this will be the most meaningful stop of the day. The scenery is beautiful, but the old church and village show how people have lived in this mountain region for generations.

The old trail beside Lengarica Canyon

The favored route follows the Lengarica Canyon, along an old trail once used to connect villages. That detail makes the ride feel more rooted in the area. You are following a practical route with a purpose, not an artificial track made only for sightseeing.

The canyon brings a different mood from the open hills. Rock walls close in, the route becomes more dramatic, and the horses must pick their way through the terrain. You may cross valleys, pass springs, and stop for a rest beneath a tree.

The supplied information does not promise a fixed canyon distance or a specific point where the horses enter the gorge. Keep that in mind when comparing this trip with a dedicated canyon walk. The ride gives you an overview of the area, but it is not designed to replace a full hiking visit to every part of Lengarica.

You may also see sheep and goats along the way. These small details are part of the appeal. The countryside feels lived in, not arranged for tourists.

A picnic with fruit, cookies, and local wine

The included food is simple but well judged for a ride. You receive snacks, fruit, cookies, water, and either wine or soft drinks. Reviews also describe fruit and nuts served during a picnic stop.

This is not a full lunch. If you want a more substantial meal, lunch is available as an optional extra for 15 euros per person, including drinks. I would consider adding it if you are using the experience as your main daytime activity, especially if you plan to continue to the thermal baths afterward.

The break also matters for comfort. Four hours around horses and mountain paths is easier when you have time to rest, drink, and stretch. A shaded stop beneath a tree, with local wine and countryside around you, fits the pace of the experience better than a rushed snack at the meeting point.

How suitable is it for beginners?

The ride is presented as suitable for beginners and experienced riders. That is supported by the practical details in the feedback: new riders received instruction, gained confidence, and progressed to trotting or cantering.

Still, beginner-friendly does not mean effortless. You need to be comfortable sitting on a horse, following instructions, and handling uneven ground. The day can feel adventurous, especially as the route climbs into the hills or moves through narrower sections.

Some riders found the experience physically intense. One description praises the galloping but also points to discomfort, a useful reminder that a long time in the saddle can leave you sore. If you rarely ride, start conservatively and tell the guide clearly about your experience.

The horses are repeatedly described as healthy, friendly, well behaved, and cared for. One especially appealing detail is that they are free to roam the countryside when not working. That does not remove the need to judge your own comfort, but it is an encouraging sign for anyone concerned about animal welfare.

Can you trot or canter?

The pace depends on the rider, the guide, and the trail. The experience can include several gaits, and some riders progressed from basic instruction to trotting and cantering across open sections.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed gallop. Mountain routes have rocks, slopes, other animals, and changing conditions. A responsible guide will choose a safe pace for the group rather than promise speed.

If you already ride regularly, tell the staff before setting out. You may get more from the day if the group includes people with similar ability. If your party has mixed experience, the route may be adjusted so that beginners can keep up.

The best moments are likely to come from the contrast between paces: a careful walk through a village or canyon, followed by a livelier stretch across open countryside.

Adding the thermal baths at Benja

After the ride, you can enjoy the thermal baths near Benja, around 20 minutes from Permet. The pools offer a natural way to relax after time in the saddle, and the nearby canyon gives you another reason to stay in the area.

The baths are described as an after-ride option rather than a guaranteed part of the four-hour horseback route. Confirm the day’s transport and timing with Funky Adventures if the thermal pools are important to your plans.

This pairing works well. Horse riding gives you a broad view of the countryside, while the hot springs let you slow down and enjoy one of Permet’s best-known natural attractions. You can also combine the experience with accommodation through an upgraded package.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $96.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Albania. The price makes more sense when you count the four-hour duration, helmet, snacks, drinks, local guiding, and air-conditioned transport.

You are also paying for access to rural routes that would be difficult to follow independently on horseback. The guide handles the horses, route choice, and group pace, allowing you to focus on the scenery.

There is a small inconsistency in the supplied group information. One section says numbers are capped at 10, while the additional details state a maximum of seven. Either size would be fairly intimate, but I would confirm the actual limit for your date if a small group is a major reason for booking.

Lunch costs an additional 15 euros per person, including drinks. Insurance is not included. Those extras do not make the trip poor value, but they should be included in your budget.

The experience is often booked about 31 days ahead, which suggests that advance planning is sensible during busy periods. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English.

Practical details and cancellation terms

The meeting point is Funky Guest House and Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri, Permet 6401, Albania. The activity returns to the same location.

The location may appear under Gjirokaster in some booking information, but the actual meeting point is in Permet. Check your route carefully if you are staying elsewhere in southern Albania.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The activity also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low numbers force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Most people can take part, and the location is near public transportation. The information does not promise a fully accessible riding setup, so contact the provider in advance if you have mobility needs.

Who should book this ride?

I would recommend it to you if you want a more active way to see the Permet area and like the idea of combining nature, villages, horses, and a simple picnic.

It suits:

• First-time riders who want calm instruction and a scenic route
• Experienced riders who would enjoy trotting or cantering when conditions allow
• Couples looking for a memorable half-day outing
• Families with older children who can follow riding instructions
• Anyone planning to visit the Lengarica Canyon and Benja thermal baths

I would think twice if you dislike uneven ground, cannot spend several hours seated on a horse, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. The route changes with weather, rider ability, and trail conditions. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should not expect every listed sight on every departure.

Should you book the Permet horse ride?

Yes, if you want scenery and local character more than a polished, predictable attraction. The combination of well-cared-for horses, friendly guides, old village trails, Leuse Church, Lengarica Canyon, and a picnic gives the outing real variety.

Before paying, confirm the final group size, ask which guide will lead your date, and decide if you want the optional lunch or thermal-bath visit. If you are new to riding, tell the staff plainly and expect to take the route at a comfortable pace.

This is a strong choice for an active day around Permet, especially when you have time to pair it with Benja’s hot springs or an overnight stay. It is less suitable if you want a short, gentle pony ride with no physical effort.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride start and finish?

It starts and ends at Funky Guest House and Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri, Permet 6401, Albania.

How long is the experience?

The horseback riding experience lasts approximately four hours.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guides provide instruction, and the experience is described as suitable for beginners and more experienced riders. The pace and trail are chosen based on the group’s riding ability.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snacks, fruit, cookies, water, wine or soft drinks, a safety riding cap, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and costs 15 euros per person, including drinks.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also lead to a different date or a full refund.