Tenerife: Guided Horseback Riding Tour to the Lomo Forest

The best thing about this Tenerife horseback ride is its gentle pace. You are not signing up for a dramatic gallop or a demanding riding lesson. You spend time meeting, brushing, and saddling your horse before taking a calm walk through the forest near Finca Estrella. That makes it a good first ride for nervous beginners, families, and anyone who wants to see northern Tenerife at ground level.

I like the patient matching of horses to riders and the chance to get comfortable before leaving the stable. I also like the small group size, limited to six people, which gives Nicole Werner and her team room to offer individual help. The main drawback is simple: experienced riders may find the all-walking route too slow, and the preparation means your visit takes longer than the stated trail time.

Key points at a glance

• A true first-timer ride: The horses walk only, with no trotting or galloping.
• Preparation is part of the experience: You help clean and saddle your horse before the trail.
• A scenic northern Tenerife setting: The route passes through the Lomo Forest and hilly countryside, sometimes with morning mist.
• Small groups help with confidence: A maximum of six participants allows for closer guidance.
• Family-friendly, with limits: Children from age five can ride, but adults must be ready to help or pay an extra fee for a leader.
• Plan your arrival carefully: Preparation begins at 11 a.m., and arriving after 11:30 a.m. means you may miss the ride.

A quiet ride through the Lomo Forest

This is a walking trail, not a conventional riding excursion for experienced equestrians. The horses stay at a slow pace for the entire route, and the trail lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The published activity length is also described as 1.5 hours, so allow extra time for the stable work before and after the ride.

The route begins and ends at Finca Estrella. From there, you head into the forest and surrounding hills of northern Tenerife. The scenery can include woodland, open views, and misty morning conditions. Several rides have been described as especially attractive in cloudy or misty weather, when the forest feels quieter and more atmospheric.

You should not expect a loop every time. One rider enjoyed the route but would have preferred a loop instead of retracing part of the same path. That is a fair point, especially for people who ride often. For a beginner, though, repeating a section can be reassuring. It gives you another chance to handle the same type of ground without adding a new challenge late in the ride.

The route is hilly, so you need a reasonable level of fitness even though the horses do the work. This is not suitable for people with low fitness, mobility impairments, or wheelchair users. You also need to ride the horse yourself unless you arrange paid assistance.

What happens before you reach the trail

Do not treat the 11 a.m. meeting time as a suggestion. The staff use the first hour to explain the activity, introduce the horses, clean and saddle them, and provide helmets and gloves. The trail starts at noon and ends around 1:50 p.m.

This preparation is one of the most appealing parts of the outing. Instead of being lifted onto an unfamiliar horse with no context, you get time to see the animal close up and take part in brushing and getting the saddle ready. For a nervous first-timer, that quiet introduction can make the difference between feeling tense and enjoying the ride.

The basic instruction covers how to sit, steer, and manage the horse. Some beginners have needed a little time to understand how steering works, so do not worry if the first few minutes feel awkward. You are expected to ride independently, but help can be arranged. A staff member can lead your horse, walk beside you, or hold the horse for the full ride for an extra 15 EUR.

That extra support should be arranged in advance. The stable needs to know if you require a person beside you throughout the outing. For children, an adult may lead the horse, or the stable can provide a leader for 15 EUR. This detail matters for families, since the activity is child-friendly but not completely hands-off for parents.

The horses and the people who guide you

The horses are a major part of the appeal. They are described as calm, well-trained, and sure-footed, with names including Romy, Cucho, Tarantino, Coco, Romey, Charlie, and Taranto. Some are older, but they are cared for and selected to suit the rider’s experience.

The stable takes time to match each person with a suitable horse. That is especially useful when one person in a group has never ridden and another has some past experience. The horses can be a little stubborn or interested in food, which is normal farmyard behavior, but the overall setup is intended to be calm and controlled.

Nicole Werner runs Finca Estrella, and Nici is also mentioned as a warm and attentive guide. The staff speak English, German, and Spanish. They do not speak French, so you need to understand at least one of the three supported languages well enough to follow safety instructions.

Friendly dogs live at the property. They are described as large but gentle. If you are afraid of dogs, tell the stable in advance and ask how the arrival will be handled. Pets are not allowed to join the activity.

Why beginners tend to enjoy this ride

A first horseback ride can be intimidating. Horses are large, the steering may feel unfamiliar, and uneven ground can make a simple walk feel more exciting than expected. This experience addresses those concerns with a slow pace, patient instruction, and horses chosen for calm behavior.

The strongest benefit is that you are not rushed. You have time to brush your horse, get used to its presence, and ask questions before setting off. The guides also check on riders during the route and offer reassurance when needed.

You still need to be sporty and fit enough to sit on a horse and manage basic controls. The ride is not a substitute for a supported carriage tour. If you need continuous physical assistance, arrange the paid leader before arrival. The stable says you must be able to ride by yourself unless this extra help is organized.

Children from age five can take part. Younger children cannot ride, and pregnant women should not book. The activity is also unsuitable for people with epilepsy or animal allergies. The stated weight limit is 85 kilos, and it should be treated as a firm condition. One member of a group was unable to ride because of weight, so check this before paying.

Family logistics at Finca Estrella

The whole family can come along, but not everyone has to ride. Family members may walk along the route, giving non-riders a way to share the outing. The information provided does not specify an additional walking fee, so confirm that point when booking.

Parents should expect to take an active role with young children. You may need to lead a child’s horse for the full ride, or pay the 15 EUR fee for a staff member to do it. The stable also asks families to say how many children are coming, since this affects staffing.

The small-group limit of six is helpful for families. It reduces crowding and makes it easier for the guide to keep an eye on less confident riders. Still, the slow trail and long preparation period mean this is not a quick activity you squeeze between two major attractions.

Finding the meeting point without getting lost

The location is in the El Amparo, La Vega, and Cruz del Camino area. The approach matters. Use the main road through El Amparo and do not follow the short route up Camino el Lance. The GPS can send drivers that way, but it is too steep and hilly for the correct approach.

Park uphill in front of the Finca Estrella sign. I would download or save the directions before leaving, then allow extra time for the final approach. One group arrived late after getting lost, and the stable had to help them find the parking area. The staff may be kind about delays, but the stated cutoff is clear: if you are not there by 11:30 a.m., the trail cannot go ahead because the preparation takes time.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to arrange your own transport to the finca. The location is out of the way for people staying in southern Tenerife, but the drive can be worthwhile if you want a forest activity rather than another beach or resort excursion.

What to wear and bring

Wear long trousers. They protect your legs from the saddle and vegetation better than shorts. Closed-toe outdoor or sports shoes are required, and sandals, flip-flops, slippers, high heels, and bare feet are not suitable.

Bring water, a jacket, and outdoor clothing. Northern Tenerife can feel cool or misty, even when the coast is warm and sunny. Comfortable clothes matter more than looking smart, since you will be cleaning and saddling a horse before riding.

Helmets and gloves are included. You do not need to bring your own riding equipment, though you should still wear practical clothing that lets you sit comfortably for nearly two hours.

The stable does not allow speakers, chewing gum, alcohol, drugs, swimwear, baby strollers, or shoes indoors. These rules are easy to follow and fit the working nature of the finca.

Price and value at 57 dollars

At $57 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want more than a short photo opportunity. You receive the horse ride, an instructor, a helmet, and gloves. The preparation time adds value because you are not simply placed on a horse and sent down a path.

The price is less attractive for experienced riders. This route stays at a walk and is designed for beginners, non-riders, and children. If you already ride confidently and want a faster pace, ask Finca Estrella about its separate three-hour trail with trotting and galloping. That is a different experience and should not be confused with this one.

Families should calculate the extra assistance fees. A child who needs to be led for the full ride adds 15 EUR, and the same applies to an adult who needs someone beside them. Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and plan your meals separately.

The booking terms are useful for uncertain plans. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at once. The group is limited to six, so the small-group setting is part of what you are paying for.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this for a first-time rider, a family with children aged five or older, or a couple looking for a peaceful nature activity in northern Tenerife. It is especially suitable if you like meeting animals, prefer a slow pace, and want a guide nearby rather than a self-guided ride.

It is also a good fit for someone who feels nervous around horses but still wants to try. The time spent grooming and preparing the horse gives you a gradual start, and the horses are chosen with experience in mind.

I would not choose it for a confident rider hoping to gallop, for anyone over the stated weight limit, or for someone who dislikes dogs. People with mobility limitations, epilepsy, animal allergies, low fitness, or a pregnancy should not book this activity.

Should you book the Finca Estrella horse ride?

Book it if you want a calm, well-supported introduction to horseback riding, with forest scenery and enough preparation time to get comfortable. The patient guides, gentle horses, and small group make this one of the more approachable riding options around Tenerife.

Skip it if you want speed, a long varied route, or a polished sightseeing transfer. The trail can retrace part of its path, the approach is easy to miss, and the preparation starts well before the ride itself. For the right person, though, the slow pace is the point: you get a quiet hour and 40 minutes in the Lomo Forest, with a horse beneath you and northern Tenerife around you.

FAQ

How long does the horseback ride last?

The trail lasts about 1 hour and 40 minutes, although the activity is also listed as 1.5 hours. Preparation begins at 11 a.m., the trail starts at noon, and you return to the stable around 1:50 p.m.

What time should I arrive?

Arrive at 11 a.m. for explanations, cleaning, saddling, and fitting helmets. If you are not there by 11:30 a.m., the stable says it cannot take you on the trail.

Is the ride suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The ride is designed for beginners and non-riders, and the horses walk only. You receive basic instructions and can arrange a staff member to lead or assist you for an additional 15 EUR.

Can children take part?

Children from age five can ride. An adult may need to lead a child’s horse, or the stable can provide a leader for 15 EUR. Tell the stable how many children will attend.

Is trotting or galloping included?

No. This route is conducted entirely at a walk. Experienced riders can ask Finca Estrella about a separate three-hour trail that includes faster riding.

What is the maximum rider weight?

The maximum stated weight is 85 kilos.

What languages are spoken?

The guides speak English, German, and Spanish. French is not spoken, and you must understand one of the supported languages to take part safely.

What should I wear?

Wear long trousers, comfortable clothes, and closed-toe outdoor or sports shoes. Bring water, a jacket, and suitable outdoor clothing. Helmets and gloves are included.

How do I find Finca Estrella?

Use the main road through El Amparo, La Vega, and Cruz del Camino. Do not follow Camino el Lance, since GPS may direct you onto that steep route. Park uphill in front of the Finca Estrella sign.