Horse holidays abroad · Turkey
Horse Riding in Turkey: Cappadocia and the Lycian Coast
Horse riding in Turkey is either an hour on the coast from a resort or a riding week of five to eight days in Cappadocia or on the Lycian Way, on Anatolian and Arab-type horses through valleys of volcanic rock or mountain forest.
- Best monthsApr to Jun, Sep to Oct
- Level
Confident to expert - Typical trip7 or 8 days
- Price guide
Higher
At a glance
What does a riding holiday in Turkey involve?
- Best monthsApril to June and September to October
- Riding level
Intermediate upwards for most trails - Hours in the saddle2 to 6 hours a day, depending on the route
- Typical trip7 or 8 days, with 5 to 7 riding days
- Weight limit80kg to 85kg in riding gear, by route
- Group sizeUp to 8 riders
- HorsesAnatolian, Arab and Arab crosses, 15 to 16.2hh
- TackMcClellan trail saddles or English multipurpose saddles
- AccommodationGuesthouses and cave hotels, with camping on some nights
- Price guide
Higher for this kind of holiday, per person, before flights
The riding
What is horse riding in Turkey like?
Horse riding in Turkey is either an hour or two from a resort or a riding week of several days. The resort rides are on the coast, and the riding weeks are in Cappadocia and on the Lycian Way.
Cappadocia is a high plateau in central Anatolia, cut into valleys and canyons of soft volcanic rock, with the eroded towers known as fairy chimneys standing along the trails. It has several routes, of six to eight nights.
The Lycian Way is a coastal route between Fethiye and Antalya, ridden over five or six days through mountain forest, past ancient ruins and across rivers, with one night camping on a beach.
The trails climb through narrow passes and drop into valleys where the rock closes in on both sides, and on the steepest pieces you get off and lead your horse. Between the narrow sections the ground opens out onto the plateau for faster work.
Cappadocia
The Lycian Way
Dalyan
The resorts
When to go
When is the best time to ride in Turkey?
The best time to ride in Turkey is spring and autumn. The high-season Cappadocia departures run in April and May and again in September and October.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On the Lycian Way the high season runs from May to October, and June and September have the least rain.
Resort rides on the Mediterranean coast run right through the summer holidays.
Your level
What riding level do you need for Turkey?
You need to be at least an intermediate rider for most Turkish riding weeks, secure at all paces outdoors. On the Lycian Way you must control your horse at all paces, keep clear of other horses, and tack up and groom your own horse.
Novice
Intermediate
Experienced
It suits you if
- You ride several times a week and are fit
- You are happy to lead a horse on foot over rock
- You are under the trail's published weight limit
It is not for you if
- You are still learning to canter in open country
- You weigh more than 85kg in riding gear
- You want the same hotel every night
The weight limit is 80kg to 85kg in riding gear on the main trails, lower than on many European routes. On the longer routes you spend most of the day in the saddle.
The horses
What are the horses and tack like in Turkey?
Turkish riding horses are Anatolians, Arabs and Arab crosses, generally around fifteen hands, hardy, agile and sure-footed.
On the Lycian Way they are Arab and Arab-Anatolian crosses of 15 to 16.2 hands, fit and used to rocky mountain paths, and you ride in an English multipurpose or jumping saddle. In Cappadocia the horses wear a lightweight McClellan trail saddle with saddlebags, and a simple leather bridle with a snaffle, pelham or hackamore bit.
Where you stay
Where do you stay on a riding holiday in Turkey?
In Cappadocia you stay in village guesthouses or in cave hotels chosen for their historic architecture, and some routes camp in tipi tents with a floor mat and a camp mattress. On the Lycian Way the first, second and last nights are in local hotels with a pool. On the trail itself you sleep in a guest house or camp, and the one camping night has no hot water.
The cost
How much does a riding holiday in Turkey cost?
A week's riding holiday in Turkey is a higher price, like most riding weeks, before flights, and the price covers the horse, guide, accommodation and most meals on the route.
Cappadocia standard trail
Price guide
Higher
Lycian coast trail
Price guide
Higher
Cappadocia explorer week
Price guide
Higher
Rides we can arrange
Which rides do we recommend in Turkey?
We know horses, and we know the people who run these rides. Tell us how you ride and where you want to go, and we will put you with the right one.
Cappadocia standard trail
One of several routes through Cappadocia, an intermediate-level trail rising to harder mountain routes for experienced riders. Nights are spent in guesthouses and cave hotels, with tipi camping on some routes.
Lycian coast trail
A route along the Lycian coast on Arab and Anatolian crosses, with a longer, harder version also on offer. The route is rated eight out of ten for difficulty, and riders tack up and groom their own horse.
Cappadocia explorer week
Two Cappadocia weeks open to all levels, with five and six riding days, and a more demanding version for experienced riders.
Common questions
Turkey riding questions
Where is the best horse riding in Turkey?
Cappadocia, which has the most multi-day trails, through valleys of volcanic rock and past the fairy chimneys, with nights in guesthouses and cave hotels. On the coast, the main multi-day route is the Lycian Way.
Can you go horse riding in Antalya or Marmaris?
Yes. You can ride for an hour or two from Antalya, Side, Alanya, Lara Beach, Marmaris, Fethiye or Bodrum, mostly on beach and forest trails. The full riding weeks are in Cappadocia and on the Lycian Way.
What is the weight limit for riding holidays in Turkey?
80kg to 85kg in riding gear on the main Turkish trails. Cappadocia sets 85kg and the Lycian Way sets 80kg.
Do you need to be an experienced rider to ride in Cappadocia?
For most Cappadocia routes you need to be at least an intermediate rider. The standard trail suits intermediate riders, the harder mountain routes take experienced riders only, and other Cappadocia weeks are open to all levels.
When is the best time to ride in Cappadocia?
Spring and autumn, when the high-season departures run in April and May and again in September and October.
What tack is used on a Cappadocia riding holiday?
A lightweight McClellan trail saddle with two saddlebags, and a simple leather bridle with a snaffle, pelham or hackamore bit.
How many riders are in a Cappadocia riding group?
Groups on the Cappadocia trails are capped at 8 riders.
Where to go next
Nearby, and next
Tell us how you ride
Tell us your level, your dates and the country you have in mind, and we will point you to the ride that fits.