For this week-long trail, you can choose your destination :

- The Morvan : a regional park in the center of Burgundy that will astonish you by the diversity of its landscapes and the uncountable miles of unpaved country roads perfectly suited for outdoor riding.

- Lozere : one of the wildest regions in France, with a lot of rural traditions. This trail will take you through many different landscapes... This trail will take you through changing landscapes, on the steps of Stevenson or even on Florac's legendary endurance loop of 160 km.

Morvan Endurance Trail

Day 1 - Saturday
Arrival at the riding center. Welcoming dinner and night at a nearby hotel. Presentation of the itinerary, the horses and the riding style.

Day 2 - Sunday
For this first day we take the direction of lake "Settons" passing through the forest of Anost where we have lunch at the Poterons picnic area. The theme of the day is "green desert" as it is not unusual to meet absolutely no one during the ride. We often come across people only when we stop on the peaceful banks of lake "Settons" in a typical Morvan hotel, where we have dinner and spend the night.

Day 3 - Monday
Today we will come across an extreme variety of grounds: our horses become salmons to go up the rivers, mouflons to climb up the rocks and offer us unforgettable memories of the breathtaking scenery. At the end of the day we arrive in Dun les Places where we stop for dinner and night.

Day 4 - Tuesday
This morning we start an itinerary of 60km in the direction of Vezelay.
Vezelay remains a mystical city, starting point of the pilgrimage route of Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle. The pilgrims' donations allowed the construction of St. Madeleine's basilica and Bernard of Clervaux preached the second crusage in Vezelay. But after a long day on horseback, we are happy to stop for dinner and night.

Day 5 - Wednesday
We spend the morning walking and visiting Vezelay.  We only have a short ride to reach Pierre Perthuis and its two famous bridges for lunch.  The grassy path allows long gallops to quickly reach Lantilly Castle (about 40km away from us), where we spend the night after a nice dinner.

Day 6 - Thursday
Today we ride to Château-Chinon, and have a good lunch next to Pannecière Lake. If the weather allows it, people and horses will be able to swim before reaching Chateau Chinon where we will stop for the night. Dinner and overnight in Château-Chinon.

Day 7 - Friday
This morning we head towards Bibracte, the biggest celtic site in Europe, situated at the top of Mount Beuvray, 800m of alitude, which will be the dominant point of the trail. Dinner and overnight in Saint Léger sous Beuvray.

Day 8 - Saturday
Today, our trip will follow paths in the forests and on the hills, through really nice and wild landscapes. The track of the international race of Sommant will allow us to reach the riding centre quickly. Diner at the riding centre and night at a hotel nearby.

Day 9 - Sunday
Individual departure of the reiders after breakfast. Transfers to the train station by SNCF's taxis.

Lozere Endurance Trail

Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival around 6pm. Welcoming dinner and overnight. Presentation of the itinerary, the horses and the riding style.

Day 2 - Monday
For this first day we take the direction of Florac (40 kilometers) for our first stopover. It's a vigorous warm-up, as we take a small road and then an old railroad line, converted into a bridleway, all the way to the village of Cassagnas. It's a great place for long gallops! After lunch, we set off again for Barre des Cévennes via Col des Loupies and Plan de Fontmort. After crossing the Fontmort forest, we arrive at the gîte where we'll spend the night. Dinner and overnight in the dormitory.
Approx. 40 km

Day 3 - Tuesday
Today, we're off on a 42-kilometer stage. A magnificent route awaits us: as we leave Barre, we ride along the Can de l'Hospitalet and take a path above the Marquairès tunnel, before reaching the Col de Salidès and the Colonie de la Bécède, where we'll have lunch by the river. We set off again in the direction of l'Esperou across Mont Aigoual via the Col de l'Estrade. At the end of the day, we arrive in the Gard village of l'Esperou. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in a dormitory or hotel.
Approx. 42 km

Day 4 - Wednesday
This morning we continue our ascent of Mont Aigoual until we reach the Prat Peyrot station and then the Vallée du Bonheur via the Col de la Croix de Fer. For lunch, we stop at the Bramabiau abyss (which we recommend you visit). We then resume our hike and reach the Gard département, where we head for Aiguebonne, making a loop through its hamlet. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in a dormitory.
Approx. 30 km

Day 5 - Thursday
Today's stage takes us some forty kilometers to the village of Mas Saint Chely. After climbing the first hill, the longest gallop of our hike awaits us! At the end of this unforgettable 13-kilometer gallop, we arrive in Meyrueis, where we have lunch by the water, and then continue on our way, passing the Château de Roquedols. We leave Meyrueis via the Jonte gorges to reach the Causse Méjean, the unusual limestone plateau with its observant ewes and vultures. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in a guesthouse.
Approx. 50 km

Day 6 - Friday
The weather is decisive for the duration of this stage. We enjoy a long gallop over the Chanet aerodrome, allowing us to discover the whole of the Causse Méjean, a desert plateau trapped in the gorges that surround it on all sides. We stop for lunch high above the Tarn valley, and make our way to Ispagnac, following the route of the 160 km Florac race. Dinner at the hotel and overnight in a dormitory.
Approx. 35 km

Day 7 - Saturday
For this final stage, we set off in the direction of Florac for around 36 kilometers. A long climb through cliffs and conifers awaits us to reach the Causse de Sauveterre. After a hearty meal, we're off for a long final gallop back down to Florac via the Combettes and the Bondons sucs. Individual departure of the riders from 5pm.
Approx. 36 km

Our horses and required riding ability

Horses The horses on this trail are mostly arabs or arab cross-breeds born at our stables. They are used to the ground, calm if you wish to and sporty for the experienced rider. Some "oversize" horses are available for the heavier riders. Tack Trail saddles, saddlebags provided. We ask you to brush, saddle and unsaddle your horse.

Recommended riding ability

As the days on horseback are very long, riders have to be comfortable at all paces. We do not accept beginners or intermediate riders. It is very important to be well-trained, to have some experience in weekly trail rides and to be able to trot or canter for a long time even dowhills.

Good to know
Maximum weight : 90 kg. Above this weight, please ask us about feasibility.

We keep the right to refuse any rider who wouldn't have sufficient riding abilities. In that case, the trail will not be refundable.

The ride is guided by a qualified, French and English speaking riding guide who perfectly knows the region and will take great pleasure to make you discover the place.

Our back-up vehicle carries the luggage and meals and joins us for lunch break and in the evening.

Accommodation
You will sleep in typical regional small hotels where you will find a comfortable bed and a warm shower to recover after a long riding day.

Meals
Lunch will be generous, inspired by traditional country cooking, warm or cold according to the weather.  At noon, it is always a pleasure to see from far away a well-dressed table, in the middle of a field, waiting for us. Evening meals will be taken at the hotel. 

"A trail out of the ordinary by the sports quality of the horses who are champions. Probably one of the best horses I've ever ridden during the 10 years of trail. The horses were born in the farm. The mare I was riding was doing competitions and had done a race over 160 km. Thje horses are perfectly cared for and prepared, they are really forward but really respecting as well. They have a big heart.The logistic is really professional, the choice of the small hotels is wise and the stop at the Lantilly castle, a moment out of time. The country of Vercingétorix, Talleyrand and Vauban has numerous sites such as Vezelay, the most important one. Anyway, it was perfect in every point of view and, icing on the cake, we had an amazing weather." - Christine C. (2015)