Horseback Riding with Pic Nic in Lazise Countryside

Lake Garda looks different from horseback. This three-hour outing leaves the busy lakeside roads behind for the Lazise countryside, where calm horses carry you past vineyards and into Colà. I like the small maximum of three people, and I like that the ride ends with wine, honey, and farm-made food at a family-run educational farm. The main drawback is practical: the horseback guide does not speak good English, and helmets are not provided.

The experience costs $156.20 per person, so it is not a bargain riding lesson. Still, the price includes the horse ride and a tasting, and the small group gives the morning a private feel. You should have moderate fitness, tell the farm about food intolerances in advance, and remember that wine is served only to adults aged 18 and over.

Key points to know before you book

• Only three people maximum: This is a small outing, not a large stable-to-stable procession.
• Lazise countryside rather than lakefront sightseeing: You ride near one of Lake Garda’s best-known towns, but the focus is rural scenery and vineyards.
• A family farm tasting: Expect local wine, honey, and other farm products at Apicoltura Morati.
• Beginner-friendly horses: The horses are described as calm and good-natured, making this a sensible option for riders with limited experience.
• English is limited during the ride: The tasting host speaks English, but the horseback guide does not speak it well.
• No helmet is supplied: This is the clearest safety concern to weigh before booking.

What this Lazise horseback ride is really about

This is not a castle tour with a short pony ride added on. It is a quiet morning in the countryside around Lake Garda, with the horse ride and farm visit carrying equal weight.

You begin near Lazise, one of the lake’s most attractive towns. Its medieval castle encloses much of the historic village, and Lazise is often linked to a document from 983 granting it administrative privileges under Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor. You will not spend the morning touring those old walls, but the town gives the ride a memorable setting.

The route heads into the less-known countryside around Lazise and Colà. That matters because the experience offers a different view of the area. Instead of concentrating on promenades, ferry docks, and crowded town centers, you get vineyards, farm country, and the slow pace of a stable outing.

The ride lasts about three hours in total, with roughly one hour around Lazise, one hour through Colà, and one hour at the farm. The timing is easy to understand, though the exact riding pace and breaks may affect how those hours feel.

Starting at 9:30 at A.S.D. CS Ranch

The meeting point is A.S.D. CS Ranch EventiSC delle Fontanelle di Saletto, in Castelnuovo del Garda, Verona. The tour begins at 9:30 in the morning and returns to the same place.

You need to plan your arrival carefully. The meeting point is not simply a central Lazise landmark, so leave time to reach the ranch without rushing. Bus transportation may be available from Lazise or Peschiera del Garda, but you should check that connection yourself before booking. The practical message is simple: do not assume you can wander out of your hotel at 9:20 and make it comfortably.

The maximum group size of three is a real advantage. You get more room to ask questions, settle in with the horse, and enjoy the countryside without being folded into a long line of riders. It also means the experience may feel more personal than a standard commercial trail ride.

Riding near Lazise, away from the crowds

The first hour centers on the countryside near Lazise. The town itself is famous for its medieval castle and its position on Lake Garda, but this activity takes you beyond the most familiar town views.

That change of setting is the point. From horseback, vineyard rows and open farm areas become the scenery, not just something glimpsed from a car window. You can expect a slower view of the area, with time to notice the land around the villages rather than simply moving between sights.

The horses are described as calm and good-natured, and the outing is considered manageable for beginners. That does not mean you can ignore the physical side. You still need a moderate level of fitness, and horseback riding can be tiring if you are not used to sitting in the saddle.

The riding guide is described as prudent, which should reassure first-time riders. Communication may still be limited because the guide does not speak good English. If you need detailed instructions or have concerns about riding, make those clear before setting out and watch demonstrations carefully.

One issue deserves direct attention: helmets are not provided. Even calm horses can react unexpectedly. You may want to ask the provider if you can bring or arrange your own helmet before committing. For some people, that will be a minor inconvenience. For others, it will be a reason to choose a different riding experience.

Colà and the vineyards of Bardolino

The route continues through Colà, a small hamlet belonging to Lazise. This is where the wine connection becomes more visible.

The area is suited to grape growing, and Bardolino is the local red wine associated with the region. It is a light red rather than a heavy, powerful wine. Chiaretto, a fresh rosé, is also produced here and is especially pleasant in warm weather.

You will not be visiting a major wine estate with polished tasting rooms. The appeal is smaller and more direct: you ride through countryside where wine production is part of daily rural life, then taste products made nearby. That makes the outing a good choice if you enjoy seeing how a place works, not just photographing its postcard views.

The timing also helps. After an hour on horseback, arriving at a farm for food and wine gives the morning a clear change of pace. You can expect a more relaxed social part of the activity, though the precise selection of food and wine is not specified.

Wine is served only to people aged 18 or older. If you do not drink, the farm visit still includes local products, and the experience is not built around drinking alone. You should share any food intolerances or dietary needs in advance. Vegetarian food can be served, but vegan food cannot.

Apicoltura Morati and the farm tasting

The final part takes place at Apicoltura Morati, an educational farm run by a family with a strong connection to nature. Its name reflects the beekeeping work there, and Lazise honey is one of the notable local products.

The farm also grows fruit and vegetables and makes a small amount of wine. Under the vineyard, you can taste local products and hear about wine growing and beekeeping. The tasting host speaks English, which is useful because the horseback guide’s English is limited.

This part gives the experience its strongest sense of place. You are not simply handed a generic snack after riding. The farm’s products connect the food on the table with the land around you: honey from the bees, wine from the vines, and produce from the family’s cultivation.

The tasting has also been praised for its friendly atmosphere, homemade appetizers, and generous wine service. One outing included enough wine for two people to drink two bottles, along with home-baked food. That does not mean every visit will follow the same quantity or menu, so you should treat it as an indication of the warm hosting style, not a guaranteed serving list.

The farm host may show you around the property and explain how the beekeeping and wine work fit together. This is likely to be the most informative part for anyone interested in food production, small farms, or regional wine.

Is $156.20 a fair price?

At $156.20 per person, this is a premium half-day activity. You are paying for a guided horseback ride, the small group size, and a farm tasting rather than for transportation, a long formal wine tour, or a full meal.

The value is strongest if you want three things at once: time outdoors, a beginner-friendly horse ride, and a local food experience. A basic trail ride might cost less, but it would not necessarily include wine, honey, beekeeping, and a family farm visit. A formal winery tour might offer more structured wine education, but it would not give you the horseback route through Lazise and Colà.

The small group helps justify the price. With only three participants, the morning can feel more personal and less managed. Couples and solo visitors who prefer quiet activities may find that worthwhile.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a quick horse ride or if wine tasting is not important to you. The activity spends a large part of its time on the farm, so you should like the idea of a combined ride and tasting rather than expecting continuous horseback riding.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would recommend it to beginners and casual riders who want a gentle introduction to the countryside. The calm horses and careful guide make it more approachable than a demanding riding excursion.

It also suits couples and small groups who value a personal setting. Three people is a very different experience from a large stable outing, especially when the day includes conversation and tasting at a family farm.

Food-focused visitors should pay attention to the Apicoltura Morati stop. Honey, local wine, fruit, vegetables, and farm-made appetizers give the experience more substance than a simple scenic ride.

You should think twice if you need extensive English guidance during the ride, require a vegan tasting, or feel strongly about having a helmet supplied. The activity may also be a poor match if you have limited physical fitness or dislike sitting on horseback for an hour.

Useful planning details for the morning

Wear clothing suited to riding and outdoor time, though the supplied information does not specify a dress code. Plan for a three-hour activity and arrive ready to spend time both in the saddle and at the farm.

Make food intolerances clear before the day of the tour. Vegetarian food is available, but vegan food cannot be served. Wine is limited to adults aged 18 and over.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:30 start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need a printed voucher. The tour is offered in English, but remember the important distinction between the tasting and the ride: the tasting host speaks English, while the horseback guide does not speak it well.

Should you book this Lazise countryside ride?

Book it if you want a small, gentle outing that mixes horseback riding with a real farm visit. The calm horses, small group, vineyard setting, and honey and wine tasting make it more personal than a standard riding loop.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to a beginner who understands the language limitation and is prepared for the lack of supplied helmets. If those two points concern you, contact the provider before booking.

For a couple or small group staying around Lake Garda, this is a pleasant way to see the area from a slower angle. It is worth the price when the farm tasting matters as much to you as the ride. If you only want an extended horseback adventure, choose a longer riding tour instead.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding experience start?

It starts at A.S.D. CS Ranch EventiSC delle Fontanelle di Saletto, 37014 Castelnuovo del Garda VR, Italy.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the experience end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is three participants.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English. The tasting host speaks English, but the horseback guide does not speak good English.

Is this suitable for beginners?

The horses are described as calm and good-natured, and the activity is considered manageable for beginners. You should still have a moderate fitness level.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes a tasting of local products and wine at the farm. Vegetarian food can be served, but vegan food cannot.

Can children or younger people drink the wine?

Wine is served only to people aged 18 or older.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.