From Split: Full-Day Horse Riding & Quad Biking with Lunch

The best thing about this full-day adventure from Split is the sharp change of pace. In the morning, you ride quietly through fields and forest paths near Ogorje. After lunch, the engine starts and you head into the rough country of Dinara Mountain, with canyons, remote tracks, and abandoned villages ahead.

I like the mix of calm and speed, and I like that lunch takes place at a private tavern rather than a standard tourist restaurant. You also get photos from the day, which is a fine extra after spending hours on horseback and a quad. The main drawback is the price, $294 per person, and the long day can feel demanding in strong summer heat.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different outdoor activities: You get about two hours on horseback followed by a 2.5-hour quad ride.
• A small group of up to four: This allows the guides to give closer help, especially during riding and off-road driving.
• Ogorje feels far from coastal Split: The 50-minute van trip takes you into quiet inland Dalmatia.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect grilled meat and home-style Croatian food at a private tavern, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead.
• Dinara provides the drama: The quad route reaches remote paths, canyons, abandoned villages, Vrdovo, and Debelo brdo.
• You need a driving license: This is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility limitations.

Leaving Split for the countryside around Ogorje

Meet at the Split Outdoor Adventure office on Trumbićeva obala 13, arriving 10 minutes before departure. From there, a van takes you inland for about 50 minutes. That transfer matters: this is not a city activity with a quick ride to a nearby beach. You are heading into a quieter part of Dalmatia, toward the village of Ogorje and the interior near the Bosnian border.

The road trip also helps explain the price. Your day includes transport, a driver and guide, equipment for two sports, two certified riding instructors, lunch, drinks, and a full afternoon on the mountain. Still, the early start and lengthy return mean you should protect the entire day rather than trying to fit another major activity around it.

At the equestrian club in Radunić, Ogorje, you receive a short introduction before mounting up. The riding staff includes certified instructors, and past outings have been led with help from Lucia and Toni. German has also been spoken by at least one guide, though English is the stated tour language.

Two hours on horseback through Ogorje

The horse ride is the quieter half of the day. You move through open fields, forest tracks, and untouched countryside, with mountain air and wide views replacing Split’s traffic and stone streets. This is a good choice if you want to see rural Dalmatia at a walking pace rather than from behind a van window.

The riding session lasts about two hours, including the introduction and preparation. You do not need to arrive as an expert rider, but you should be comfortable around horses and ready to follow the instructors’ directions. The staff can help you get settled, and the activity includes riding equipment.

One especially nice touch is that the guides may let you help care for the horses. That makes the stop feel less like a quick photo ride and more like time spent at a working equestrian club. Photos are taken during the outing and sent by email afterward, so you can keep your hands free instead of trying to manage a phone from the saddle.

The ride may be less appealing if you want constant speed or technical riding. It is designed around countryside, fresh air, and an easy connection with the horses. Also, summer heat is worth taking seriously. One hot day made the ride harder for both people and animals, so sunscreen, light clothing, and water are sensible choices.

You receive a half-liter bottle of water, but bring extra water if you tend to drink often. Comfortable shoes are required, and you should wear clothes that can handle dust, sun, and contact with horses.

A private-tavern lunch in Rumin

After the horses, the group continues to Rumin for a one-hour lunch. This is not just a pause to refuel. The meal gives you a taste of inland Croatian cooking in a more personal setting than you usually find on a busy coastal excursion.

The included meal is a barbecue with meat-based dishes made from local, homegrown ingredients. One drink per person is included, and the meal has been described as generous, traditional, and served in a secluded tavern. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it in advance.

The stop may also include time near a river, where you can cool off if conditions allow. That detail is useful on hot days, though you should not book the trip solely for swimming. The main purpose of this hour is lunch and a break between activities.

I like this middle section because it prevents the day from becoming a nonstop sports test. Horse riding uses different muscles from quad biking, and the meal gives you a chance to sit down before the faster afternoon activity. If you are hungry after the morning ride, this is the point where the tour’s food and drink inclusions become genuinely useful.

Quad biking across Dinara Mountain

The afternoon begins with safety instructions and quad equipment before you set out for roughly 2.5 hours. The official inclusions refer to a three-hour quad drive, while the scheduled activity lists 2.5 hours, so expect a substantial ride but allow for some variation in preparation and route conditions.

You can ride alone or share a quad. A valid driver’s license is required, so this is not an activity where passengers without licenses can simply take the controls. The guide leads the group along rough mountain tracks, and the small group size, limited to four people, should make it easier to receive help and keep the pace manageable.

This is where the trip becomes much more physical. You follow hidden trails through rugged country, canyons, remote mountain paths, and abandoned villages. The views reach toward Vrdovo and Debelo brdo, places that even many locals have not visited. The setting has a raw, open feel that is very different from the polished waterfront areas around Split.

Some routes include steep sections, bends, and rough ground. A past outing included mountain roads, hairpin turns, and a stop at a lake where the group could swim. That stop is not stated as a fixed part of every tour, so treat it as a possible route feature rather than a promise.

The quad ride is thrilling, but it is not ideal for anyone with a fear of rough driving or poor balance. One rider found the horse portion less appealing but loved the quad section, which is a useful reminder that the two halves serve different tastes. If you want only a gentle countryside excursion, choose something else. If you like engines, mountain tracks, and a little nervous laughter, this is the part you will remember longest.

What the small group changes

The group is limited to four participants. That is a major advantage for a combined activity because the guides can watch riders more closely, offer individual help, and adjust their attention between horse riding and quad driving.

The riding team includes two certified instructors. Their presence matters most if you are new to horses or need extra help getting comfortable. During the quad portion, the live English-speaking guide leads the route and handles the practical side of the trip.

Small groups also mean less waiting at every stage. You are not dealing with a large busload of people mounting horses, collecting helmets, or stopping at every turn. The tradeoff is that the experience may feel more intense and personal, with less anonymity if you are shy or prefer to disappear into a crowd.

The guide and driver are part of the value here. Past outings have included a guide who gave plenty of information, offered strong support on the quad route, and made the group feel looked after. Lucia and Toni have also been singled out for their friendly and professional help. Guide assignments can change, so do not assume they will be your exact team.

Is $294 a fair price?

At $294, this is one of the more expensive active excursions from Split. It is not a bargain day trip, and you should compare it with the cost of booking horse riding, a quad tour, transport, lunch, equipment, and photography separately.

The value improves if you want both activities. You are paying for eight hours of transport and guiding, riding equipment, quad equipment, two certified instructors, lunch, one drink, water, and photos. You also avoid the trouble of finding your own way to Ogorje, Rumin, and Dinara.

The price makes less sense if you care deeply about only one activity. A dedicated horse ride would suit someone who wants more time with the animals. A standalone quad tour would be better for someone who wants a longer motor adventure without the slower morning session.

For a special occasion, an active couple, or a small group of friends, the combination is easier to justify. You are not just buying two rides. You are getting a full day in inland Dalmatia, including food, transport, countryside, and a guide who manages the complicated logistics.

Practical details that affect your day

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that can handle outdoor use. Bring sunscreen, water, and your driver’s license. The included half-liter bottle is helpful, but it may not be enough for an eight-hour summer outing.

The tour is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. You should also be comfortable getting on and off a horse and handling a quad on uneven ground.

The tour runs in English, and opening hours may change. Check the available start time when booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Split schedule is still shifting.

The return transfer to Trumbićeva obala 13 takes about 50 minutes. After a full day outside, you may be tired, dusty, and ready for a shower, so plan a relaxed evening rather than a late dinner reservation or a demanding night out.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this for an active adult who wants more than beaches, boat trips, and old-town sightseeing. It suits couples, friends, and small groups who enjoy trying two activities in one day and do not mind a long schedule.

It is especially good for someone who wants a taste of inland Croatia without renting a car. Ogorje, Rumin, and Dinara are difficult to combine independently in one day, while the tour handles the driving and route planning.

I would hesitate if you dislike horses, cannot drive a quad, have mobility concerns, or want a slow and restful day. The heat can also make the program harder than it looks on paper. A hat, sun protection, and extra water can make a real difference.

Should you book the horse riding and quad tour?

Book it if you want a big outdoor day with real variety: quiet horse riding in Ogorje, a home-style lunch, and a rougher, faster trip across Dinara Mountain. The small group, personal instruction, included transport, and photos make the high price easier to accept.

Skip it if $294 feels uncomfortable, if you want only one activity, or if hot weather and rough tracks sound unpleasant. For the right person, this is a memorable way to trade Split’s coast for the open interior of Dalmatia, but it asks for energy, a full day, and a valid driving license.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Meet at the Split Outdoor Adventure office at Trumbićeva obala 13 in Split. Arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transfers, horse riding, lunch, and quad biking.

How long is the horse ride?

The horse riding portion lasts about two hours at Konjički klub Javor in Radunić, Ogorje.

How long is the quad ride?

The scheduled quad activity lasts about 2.5 hours. The included services describe a three-hour quad drive, so allow for some variation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A barbecue lunch and one drink per person are included. Vegetarian food is available if you request it in advance.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You must bring a valid driver’s license to take part in the quad activity.

Is the tour suitable for children or wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, or wheelchair users.