Mallorca: Horseback Riding Excursion and Wine Tasting

Horseback riding through the forests of Alcudia, followed by generous pours of Mallorcan wine and local cheese, makes this a wonderfully unusual two-hour outing. The ride is calm enough for beginners, yet the route can still feel like a real rural adventure.

I like the careful matching of horses to riders and the clear help from guides such as Miguel and Sally. I also like that the tasting goes beyond wine: you try cheese, pâté, jam, and oil while hearing about the island’s farmers and food traditions. The main drawback is the age and weight limit: children under 16 and riders over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms, cannot take part.

Key points

• A one-hour ride through Puig de Sant Martí: Expect forest paths, rocky ground, and a close-up view of Mallorca away from the resort coast.
• Good support for first-time riders: Calm horses, helmets, equipment, and guides make this a realistic choice for beginners.
• Miguel leads the tasting: His presentation combines wine, cheese, local agriculture, and humor rather than treating the tasting like a formal lecture.
• Local food beyond the wine: Samples can include several wines, cheeses, pâté, jam, oil, tapas, and other farm products.
• Pickup from northern Mallorca: A yellow and green Ranxo Ses Roques van collects you from eligible accommodations.
• A strong value at $75: The price covers riding, equipment, guides, transport from northern Mallorca, and the tasting.

A horseback view of Alcudia’s inland side

Mallorca is often sold through beaches, marinas, and old stone villages. This excursion gives you a different angle. You ride into the forests of Puig de Sant Martí, a rural area near Alcudia, where the pace is set by the horses rather than by a sightseeing bus.

The riding portion lasts one hour. That is long enough to feel like a proper trail ride, but not so long that a first-time rider is likely to become exhausted or uncomfortable. The route includes tree-lined and rocky sections, so you get some variety under the horses’ feet instead of simply circling a paddock.

I would choose this for the change of pace. If your holiday is packed with beaches and restaurant meals, a quiet ride followed by a farm tasting gives the day a more local shape. You are not just looking at Mallorca. You are moving through one of its rural corners and then sampling products connected to the island’s farming life.

Arriving at Ranxo Ses Roques

The experience takes place at Ranxo Ses Roques, a family-run ranch that also produces or presents local food products. If you use the included pickup, look for a yellow and green van marked with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo. Pickup is available from accommodations in northern Mallorca, and you should be ready five minutes before the scheduled time.

If you are staying elsewhere, you need to make your own way to the ranch. The included transport is useful, but it is not island-wide. This matters if you are based in Palma or another part of Mallorca. One visitor staying in Palma reached the area by public bus, but you should check your own route and allow enough time rather than assuming the northern pickup service applies to you.

At the ranch, you may also see other animals. A small petting-zoo area and baby goats have been mentioned as part of the wider farm setting. These details are not the main event, but they help make the stop feel like a working family property rather than a simple trailhead.

Choosing the right horse for your ability

The staff begin by assessing riders and pairing them with suitable horses. That is one of the most important parts of this activity. A nervous beginner needs a steady, responsive horse, while a more experienced rider may want a little more independence.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, healthy, and well cared for. Some have distinct personalities. One rider was paired with a gentle horse called Avatar, which reportedly liked nibbling branches along the route. That sort of small detail is worth knowing: the animals are not identical machines, and you should expect each horse to have its own habits.

The guides give safety instructions before setting out. Helmets and riding equipment are included, and the guides stay close enough to offer help. A larger group can include several guides. One outing had 16 riders with three guides, a useful ratio for a mixed group of beginners and experienced riders.

You still need to take the riding seriously. Wear comfortable shoes, listen carefully, and do not expect to control the horse like a trained rider after five minutes. The horses do much of the work, but you remain responsible for sitting correctly, following instructions, and treating the animal with care.

The one-hour trail through Puig de Sant Martí

The route passes through forest and rocky terrain in the Puig de Sant Martí area. You should expect a guided walking ride rather than a fast equestrian workout. The pace is designed to keep a group together and to help first-time riders feel secure.

More experienced riders may have a chance to break away briefly for a faster stretch, including a short gallop, before rejoining the group. This is not guaranteed for every departure, so do not book this excursion if your main goal is extended galloping or advanced riding practice.

For most people, the appeal is the setting and the steady rhythm. You notice the sound of hooves, the changing surface beneath the horses, and the wooded character of Mallorca’s interior. The route may feel more challenging than a flat beach ride because of the rocks and uneven ground, but that also gives it a stronger sense of place.

The ride is suitable for people with no previous experience, based on the stated age and weight rules and the way the guides pair riders. Pregnant women, people with animal allergies, and anyone with food allergies should not take part. The activity is also not suitable for children under 16, despite the horses being described as gentle for beginners.

From riding gear to wine glasses

After the ride, you return to the ranch and swap the saddle for a tasting table. This transition is part of the charm. You have just spent an hour outdoors, and the food and wine give you time to relax, talk with the group, and hear more about the farm.

Miguel leads the tasting, with Sally and other members of the team helping. His style is informal and entertaining. He explains the wines and foods while also talking about Mallorcan agriculture and the island’s farming traditions. The presentation has enough information to be useful without becoming a technical wine class.

The exact selection can vary, but the tasting includes several locally made wines and cheeses. Some tastings have included four wines, four cheeses, four dips, and a shot of liquor. Other local products may include pâté, jam, oil, and tapas. The samples are described as generous, so you should not think of this as one tiny sip and a single cube of cheese.

The focus is on products made by local farmers, including ecological products. That gives the tasting a stronger connection to Mallorca than a standard hotel bar flight. You learn what you are eating and drinking, where it fits into island agriculture, and why these items matter to the people producing them.

Why the wine tasting may be the highlight

The horse ride is the obvious draw, especially if you have always wanted to ride but never had the chance. Still, the tasting can become the most memorable part of the afternoon. Miguel’s humor, the relaxed setting, and the generous servings give the final hour a social feel.

I would keep this in mind when deciding if the activity suits you. If you want a serious wine certification lesson, this is not it. If you want a friendly introduction to Mallorcan wine and food, with stories and conversation, it fits much better.

The wines may include bottles that are not commonly found in regular shops. You can also buy products from the ranch’s gift shop after the tasting. That is useful if you want to take home something more distinctive than a standard souvenir, but remember any luggage, airline, or customs limits that apply to food and alcohol.

The tasting also means this is not an activity for people with food allergies. The organizers specifically list food allergies as a reason not to take part. The same applies to animal allergies because you will spend time close to horses and other farm animals.

The value of $75 per person

At $75 per person, the price is fair for what is included. You get one hour of guided riding, a qualified guide, helmet and equipment, the wine and food tasting, and free pickup and drop-off from eligible accommodations in northern Mallorca.

Transport alone can add cost and hassle on the island, so the northern pickup service improves the value. If you are staying outside the pickup area, the deal becomes less simple because you must arrange transport to the ranch yourself.

The tasting is also substantial enough to matter. Four wines, several cheeses, dips, and other products can turn a basic riding excursion into a full afternoon activity. Some participants have said the outing lasted close to four hours once pickup, farm time, and the tasting were included, although the advertised activity duration is two hours. Treat two hours as the formal tour length and allow extra time for transport and the ranch visit.

The booking terms add flexibility. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Who should book this activity

This is a strong match for:

• First-time riders who want calm horses and close guidance
• Couples looking for something beyond beaches and nightlife
• Families with older teenagers, provided everyone is at least 16
• Food and wine fans who enjoy informal tastings
• Visitors staying in Alcudia or elsewhere in northern Mallorca
• Experienced riders who are happy with a group trail and possibly a short faster section

I would not choose it if you want a long, private ride, advanced riding instruction, or a full-day countryside trip. The ride lasts one hour and is built around a mixed group. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with animal or food allergies, or anyone above the 243-pound, or 110-kilogram, limit.

Bring comfortable shoes. You do not need to bring riding equipment or a helmet, since those are supplied. Spanish and English are available, so check that the tour language works for you before booking.

Should you book Ranxo Ses Roques?

Book it if you want two very different Mallorca experiences in one outing: a gentle ride through the Puig de Sant Martí forests and a generous tasting of local wine and farm food. The guides receive strong marks for safety, warmth, and humor, while the horses are treated as cared-for working animals rather than props.

The best reason to choose it is the combination. A riding tour on its own might feel brief, and a wine tasting on its own might feel familiar. Together, they create a relaxed half-day with movement, food, local stories, and plenty of conversation.

Skip it if you need a private ride, dislike group activities, have allergies, or are looking for an advanced equestrian challenge. For everyone else, especially beginners staying near Alcudia, $75 is a sensible price for the amount included.

FAQ

How long does the Mallorca horseback riding and wine tasting experience last?

The advertised duration is two hours. The horseback riding portion lasts one hour, followed by the wine, cheese, and local food tasting.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride takes place through the forests of Puig de Sant Martí in the Alcudia area of Mallorca.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. Beginners can take part, and the staff match riders with suitable horses, provide safety instructions, and offer guidance during the ride.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under 16 are not allowed to take part. The activity is suitable for participants aged 16 and older.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in northern Mallorca. Pickup is not included from other areas of the island.

How do I recognize the pickup vehicle?

Look for a yellow and green van with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo. You should be ready five minutes before your scheduled pickup.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

What food and drink are included?

The tasting includes locally made wines and cheeses. Other products may include pâté, jam, oil, dips, tapas, and other ecological products made by local farmers.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. A helmet and riding equipment are provided.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, people with animal allergies, people over 243 pounds or 110 kilograms, or people with food allergies.