The Best Horse Riding Experience in Gran Canaria (2 hours)

The mountains make this ride memorable. This El Salobre outing combines broad views over Maspalomas and its famous dunes with a two-hour trail on horseback. I like the careful horse-and-rider matching, and I like that beginners receive an introduction before setting off. The main thing to consider is the rocky ground, which can make the ride slow and, at times, less comfortable.

You pay about $67.75 per person for an experience lasting roughly three hours, including preparation and the ride itself. Hotel pickup and drop-off make the outing easy to fit into a holiday, though the trail is better suited to a relaxed mountain ride than to nonstop trotting or galloping.

Quick takeaways for your Gran Canaria ride

• Expect two hours in the saddle: That is a long first ride for some beginners, so take water and wear practical clothes.
• Look across Maspalomas: The trail gives you wide views of the resort area and its famous sand dunes.
• Horses are matched to ability: Staff pair riders with suitable horses, including calm mounts for first-timers and livelier choices for more confident riders.
• Small groups help: The maximum is 12 people, with six riders per guide, though a slower mixed-ability group can still create stop-and-start riding.
• The ground is rocky: Horses handle the route well, but uneven and stony sections limit speed and may bother riders seeking a smooth trail.
• Pickup removes a major hassle: The start point is El Salobre Horse Riding, with the pickup time supplied after booking confirmation.

What the El Salobre ride is really like

This is not a quick pony circuit or a few laps around a paddock. You spend about two hours following a trail through the hills around El Salobre, with the time before and after used for transport, fitting equipment, instructions, and mounting.

The ride is built for mixed ability. First-time riders receive basic guidance on handling the horse, and the staff take account of your experience when assigning horses. That matters here because the route includes slopes and rough ground. A nervous beginner needs a steady horse, while a more experienced rider may be happier on a mount with a little more energy.

The pace usually stays controlled. Walking makes up most of the ride, with chances to trot or canter depending on the group, the terrain, and your ability. Some riders enjoyed a short trot uphill or a canter, while others found the outing almost entirely at walking pace.

That difference is important. If you want a proper riding lesson or long stretches of fast riding, this may feel too gentle. If you want to sit on a well-trained horse, enjoy open views, and spend time outdoors without needing advanced skills, the pace makes more sense.

Starting at El Salobre Horse Riding

The meeting point is El Salobre Horse Riding, at C. Islas Malvinas, 3, 35106 El Salobre, Las Palmas. If you use the pickup service, the operator sends your collection time after confirming the booking. The exact time is not fixed in the details provided, so keep some flexibility in your morning or afternoon plans.

The transfer is one of the strongest practical features. You do not need to find the stable or arrange a taxi from your hotel, and the ride returns you to the meeting point at the end. Several families found the pickup and drop-off clear and reliable, which is especially useful if you are staying around Maspalomas or nearby resort areas.

Once you arrive, expect an introduction to the horses and the basic safety rules. Helmets are included. Safety vests are supplied for the youngest riders, a helpful touch for families.

The staff explain how to guide and stop a horse, and they give extra help to people who have never ridden. The instructions also cover situations such as a horse wanting to lower its head or roll, so pay attention rather than treating the briefing as a formality.

Choosing the right horse and riding partner

The horse assignment is a key part of the experience. Staff know the horses in their care and aim to match them with riders according to confidence and ability. Families with children and complete beginners were pleased with the pairings, and nervous riders often found the guides reassuring.

The horses have individual personalities. Some riders were delighted by calm, responsive horses, while experienced riders enjoyed mounts with more spark. A horse named Casino gave one confident rider the chance to trot and canter, while another rider particularly liked a horse called Kabul. Divino also earned warm praise from one rider.

You should still remember that horses are animals, not machines. One horse might stop, play with its reins, or turn toward another horse. A young or nervous rider may find that unsettling. The guides are there to help, and the staff generally receive strong marks for handling these moments, but you should tell them clearly if you feel uncomfortable.

The ride can also become stop and start when a beginner struggles to keep a horse moving. The maximum group size is 12, with six people per guide, but a group of different ability levels can still bunch up on narrow or uneven ground. Ask at the start how the group will be handled if you are hoping to trot.

The trail and the view over Maspalomas

The biggest reward comes from the setting. From the hills, you can look across Maspalomas and see the famous sand dunes spread below. This gives the ride a clear sense of place. You are not simply circling a stable; you are seeing one of southern Gran Canaria’s best-known areas from above.

The views are broad rather than lush. The terrain is dry, rocky, and rugged, which suits the southern part of the island. Some riders called the scenery stark but impressive. Others liked the contrast between the rough hills and the resort and dunes below.

The route includes slopes and stony sections. The horses are used to the ground and were described as sure-footed, but the uneven surface keeps the pace down. A horse may stumble slightly or pick its way carefully, which is normal on this type of trail but can make it harder for you to relax.

Guides stop at points to help riders manage uphill and downhill sections. These moments are useful for beginners because riding on a slope is different from sitting on a flat arena. You may also stop for photographs, giving you a chance to take in the view without trying to use your phone while moving.

There is only a little road riding to and from the trail area, according to one detailed account. Most of the route takes place away from traffic, which helps the ride feel more like an outdoor excursion than a roadside pony trek.

How much trotting and galloping should you expect?

This is the point most likely to divide people. More confident riders did get opportunities to trot, and some even cantered or galloped briefly. The amount depends on the group and the route conditions.

A rider with horses at home enjoyed cantering on the trail. Another experienced rider was pleased to get a livelier horse. Yet a less positive account described only a very short trot and one brief gallop, with most of the ride at a walk.

I would treat fast riding as a possible extra, not the main product. Rocky ground, steep sections, and mixed experience all favor a slower pace. The guides have a responsibility to keep the whole group together and protect both horses and riders.

For a first ride, this is probably a benefit. Two hours on horseback can leave your legs and seat tired, even at a walk. For a confident rider, the lack of sustained speed may feel limiting. If cantering matters to you, tell the staff before departure, but do not assume it can be guaranteed.

The horses and animal care

The horses receive some of the warmest praise. Many riders described them as well behaved, healthy, energetic, and well cared for. Several people appreciated being able to see the horses before the ride, and families felt that the animals were calm enough for children and beginners.

That said, the feedback is not uniformly positive. One person felt that a couple of horses seemed tired and reluctant, while another thought some had become stale in their work. A separate account described a horse rolling and causing a rider to hurt her knee, followed by concern that she did not receive enough attention or an ice pack afterward.

These points do not erase the many positive comments, but they are worth keeping in mind. Horses can stop, resist, or try to roll, and the safety talk covers this risk. Listen carefully, keep your horse’s head up if it starts sniffing the ground, and tell the guide immediately if anything feels wrong.

The operator’s response to concerns about the horses says they aim to provide rest and good care and would check the animals’ condition. That is encouraging, but responsible riding also means accepting that a trail horse may have an off day. If you are very concerned about animal welfare, watch how the horses are handled before you mount and ask questions.

Comfort, clothing, and useful preparation

Take water. The ride lasts two hours, and the dry, exposed hills can make you thirsty even when the temperature feels pleasant. Wear trousers that allow movement and shoes with a secure sole.

The stable offers riding boots for rent for €3. One rider considered them well worth the small charge. Proper footwear is especially useful on uneven ground and gives you a more secure feel in the stirrups.

Helmets are included, so you do not need to bring one. Safety vests are provided for the youngest riders. Bring sunscreen and protect your phone, but do not let photographs distract you while the horse is moving.

You should also expect some soreness if you have not ridden before. Several people felt that two hours was a long time for a novice, even when they enjoyed it. The best approach is to see the ride as a steady outdoor activity, not as a short introduction lasting only 20 minutes.

The stated weight limit is 110 kilograms. Most people can take part, but anyone with concerns about fitness or riding should check before booking. The tour is offered in English.

Is the $67.75 price good value?

At about $67.75, the price is reasonable for a three-hour outing that includes roughly two hours of riding, a helmet, instruction, horse assignment, and hotel transport. Pickup alone can save time and taxi costs, especially if you are staying away from the stable.

The value is strongest for beginners and families. You receive guidance, a suitable horse, a scenic route, and a managed experience without needing to arrange transport. Children and adults of different ages can take part together, provided the group can cope with the slow sections.

The value is less clear for advanced riders who mainly want speed. The trail is rocky, fast riding is not guaranteed, and group pace can be dictated by the least confident rider. You are paying for scenery, horse time, and support rather than a performance-focused riding session.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 349 ratings, with 90 percent recommending the experience. That fits the pattern here: strong satisfaction from first-timers, families, and riders seeking a pleasant trail, with more mixed feelings from people wanting smoother ground, smaller groups, or more cantering.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this ride if you fit one of these descriptions:

• You have never ridden and want a structured first try.
• You are traveling with children or a mixed-age family.
• You enjoy horses but want a calm way to see the hills around Maspalomas.
• You have some riding experience and are happy with a mostly walking trail.
• You value hotel pickup and do not want to organize transport.

I would think twice if you want a long gallop, a smooth sandy trail, or a private ride matched exactly to your ability. The route is rough, the group may include beginners, and the pace can become slow.

The small-group setup is helpful, but the maximum of 12 does not mean every departure will feel intimate. Six riders per guide is a sensible ratio, yet a mixed group can still produce delays. If you are booking with friends or family, similar riding ability will make the outing more enjoyable.

Booking ahead is sensible because this experience is usually reserved about 12 days before the date. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum group size can lead to a new date or a full refund.

My verdict on El Salobre Horse Riding

I would book this experience for the views, the patient introductions, and the chance to ride a suitable horse through the hills above Maspalomas. The staff are widely praised for helping beginners, and the horse matching makes the outing approachable for families and nervous riders.

I would not book it expecting a fast, polished riding-school session. The rocky trail is part of the setting, and the ride may be mostly walking with pauses while the group catches up.

For a relaxed, scenic horse ride with transport included, El Salobre is a good choice. Take water, wear practical shoes, listen closely to the safety talk, and view any trot or canter as a bonus rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding experience last?

The full activity lasts about three hours, with approximately two hours spent riding.

Where does the experience start and finish?

It starts at El Salobre Horse Riding, C. Islas Malvinas, 3, 35106 El Salobre, Las Palmas. The activity finishes back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, and the pickup time is provided after your booking is confirmed.

What views will I see during the ride?

The trail gives you views across Maspalomas and the famous Maspalomas sand dunes, along with views of the Gran Canaria mountains.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The horses and route are intended for riders from first-timers to advanced participants, and beginners receive instructions before the ride.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum group size is 12 people. The experience is described as having six people per guide.

What equipment is included?

A helmet is included. Safety vests are available for the youngest riders.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The activity is not suitable for people weighing more than 110 kilograms.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in another date or a full refund.