Horseback Riding with Pic Nic in Lazise Countryside

The best part of this outing is the change of pace. You leave the busy Lake Garda shore behind and ride through the Lazise countryside, where vineyards and quiet lanes lead to a family farm. The ride ends with wine, honey, and homemade food under the vines, giving you a taste of local life rather than another quick photo stop.

I like the very small group, limited to three people, and the gentle horses that make this a reasonable choice for beginners. I also like the farm visit, where you can learn about Bardolino wine, Chiaretto rosé, beekeeping, fruit, and vegetables from the host who leads the tasting.

The main drawback is safety equipment: one published experience notes that no riding helmet was provided. The riding guide also speaks limited English, so you should be comfortable with simple instructions and confirm any concerns before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Three-hour ride through Lazise and Colà: You spend about two hours on horseback before the farm tasting.
• Smallest possible group: A maximum of three people makes the outing more personal and easier to manage.
• Family farm tasting: Apicoltura Morati produces honey and wine, with fruit and vegetables also grown on site.
• Beginner-friendly horses: The horses are described as calm and good-natured, with a prudent guide.
• Wine and local food included: The tasting features farm wine and local products, including homemade appetizers.
• Practical planning matters: Meet at 9:30 am at A.S.D. CS Ranch EventiSC delle Fontanelle di Saletto in Castelnuovo del Garda, not in central Lazise.

A quiet start outside Lake Garda’s busy towns

This is not a saddle-up tour from the center of Lazise. The meeting point is A.S.D. CS Ranch EventiSC delle Fontanelle di Saletto, in Castelnuovo del Garda, and the activity begins at 9:30 am.

That detail matters. You need to organize your own way to the ranch and arrive on time. Bus connections may be possible from Lazise or Peschiera del Garda, but you should check the current service before relying on public transport. The meeting point is not described as a central town pickup location.

The group limit is three people, which is unusually small for a paid riding activity. That can make the first instructions less rushed and give the guide more room to watch each rider. It also means this is best booked early, since the experience is commonly reserved well ahead of the date.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Horseback riding uses your legs and core in ways that can surprise first-time riders, even when the horses are calm. Wear practical clothes and closed shoes suitable for riding, though the supplied information does not specify a required dress code or whether riding equipment is provided.

One hour around Lazise’s historic countryside

The first riding section takes you around Lazise, one of Lake Garda’s best-known towns. Lazise is surrounded by medieval walls and is famous for its castle, but this tour focuses on the less familiar countryside rather than a formal town sightseeing walk.

That is a useful distinction. If you want a guided tour of castle buildings, lanes, and waterfront sights, this is not the right format. If you want to see the rural side of the area, the horse gives you a slower view than a car or coach.

Lazise also has an important place in local civic history. In 983, Otto II, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, granted the town administrative privileges that allowed it to manage its affairs with unusual independence. You may not spend much time discussing that history during the ride, but it adds context to the town you are leaving behind.

The first hour is best understood as an introduction to the setting and the horses. The tone is quiet and outdoorsy, not a fast-paced riding lesson or an athletic trek. The horses have been described as calm and good-natured, and the activity is considered manageable for beginners.

Still, beginner-friendly does not mean completely effortless. If you have never ridden before, tell the guide at the start. The guide does not speak good English, so short, clear questions may work better than a long discussion about riding technique. The host at the later tasting does speak English and can provide more detailed explanations there.

Colà, vineyards, and the wines of the area

The route continues through Colà, a small hamlet within Lazise. Here the countryside is closely tied to vineyards, and the ride gives you a look at the agricultural setting behind some of Lake Garda’s local wine.

Bardolino is the main red wine associated with this area. It is a light red, usually easier to drink than a heavy, powerful red. Chiaretto is the local rosé, known for its fresh, pleasant style and especially suited to warm weather.

You are not simply passing a winery from a tour bus window. The route brings you by horseback through the area where these grapes are grown, then continues to a farm where you can taste local wine made by the family. That link between the ride and the tasting is one of the outing’s strongest features.

The second riding section lasts about an hour. Since the full activity is approximately three hours, you should expect roughly two hours in the saddle and one hour at the farm, although exact timing can vary. The pace is intended for an easy countryside outing, not a long-distance ride.

If wine is important to your plans, note the age rule. Wine can be served only to people over 18. You should also communicate food intolerances or dietary needs in advance. Vegetarian food can be served, but vegan food cannot.

Apicoltura Morati and the tasting under the vines

After about an hour of riding, you stop at Apicoltura Morati, an educational farm managed by a family with a strong focus on nature. The tasting takes place under the vineyard, which gives the final hour a relaxed, local feel.

The farm’s name points to its main specialty: beekeeping. Bees are raised there and used to produce Lazise honey. The farm also grows fruit and vegetables and makes a small amount of its own wine.

This is more than a plate of snacks paired with a drink. The tasting host can explain how wine growing and beekeeping work at the farm, and the farm itself gives you something concrete to look at while you listen. For anyone interested in food production, this may be the most memorable part of the day.

Local products and wine are included. One account describes homemade appetizers and enough wine for a generous tasting, but you should not assume that the exact quantity will be the same every time. The key value is the chance to taste produce connected to the place you have just ridden through.

The host at the tasting speaks English, which helps balance the language limitation during the horseback portion. You can ask questions about the wine and honey in more detail here. The contrast is worth knowing before you book: expect basic communication on horseback, followed by stronger English explanations at the farm.

What $156.20 buys you

At $156.20 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend three hours in the Lake Garda area. You are paying for a short horseback activity, a very small group, a local farm visit, and a tasting of wine and food.

The price makes more sense if you value the combination. A standard riding lesson would not normally include a farm tasting, and a simple winery visit would not give you two hours in the countryside on horseback. Here, the two parts support each other: the ride introduces the rural setting, and the tasting explains some of the food and wine produced there.

The maximum of three people is also part of the value. You are not joining a large line of riders moving at the pace of the slowest person in a big group. A tiny group can be more comfortable for beginners and more appealing if you want a quiet outing with a partner or close friend.

I would not choose this activity based on the food alone. The supplied details identify local products, wine, honey, and homemade appetizers, but they do not promise a large meal. Think of the farm stop as a tasting, not lunch. If you need a full meal, plan one separately.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a special half-day-style outing and does not mind paying for a personal setting. It is weaker for anyone who wants an inexpensive ride, a full winery tour, or a structured history lesson about Lazise.

Safety, language, and comfort details

The calm nature of the horses is a major positive. The guide is described as prudent, and the outing is considered easy for beginners to handle. That makes it more approachable than a fast or demanding trail ride.

The helmet issue deserves plain treatment. One published account praised the horses and guide but noted that a helmet was not provided. Since riding safety equipment can vary, ask about helmets before the activity and decide if you are comfortable with the arrangement. This is the clearest reason a cautious rider may hesitate.

The guide on horseback does not speak good English. That does not automatically make the ride unsuitable, but you should not expect a detailed English lesson about the route or horse handling. Keep instructions simple, and communicate food needs before the riding begins.

At the tasting, the English-speaking host is better placed to answer questions. The farm visit includes explanations about wine growing and beekeeping, so this portion should be easier for English-speaking participants to follow.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Lake Garda schedule.

Who should book this horseback outing

I would recommend it most to couples, friends, or solo riders who want a small and quiet activity away from the main Lake Garda sights. The three-person maximum gives the outing a personal feel, and the calm horses make it suitable for people with limited riding experience.

It is also a good fit for food and wine fans who prefer meeting a small producer to visiting a polished commercial attraction. The honey, farm wine, fruit, vegetables, and homemade appetizers give the tasting a strong connection to the place.

Families with children should ask specific questions before booking. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, child policy, weight limit, or riding experience requirement. Do not assume that children can join simply because beginners are welcome.

I would be more cautious if you need fluent English throughout, require a vegan tasting, or consider a helmet essential. Vegan food is not available, vegetarian food is available, and the riding guide’s limited English may make the first part less comfortable for some people.

Booking, cancellation, and timing

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity ends back at the original meeting point. Since the start time is 9:30 am, allow enough time to reach Castelnuovo del Garda and locate the ranch before the group sets off.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancel later than that and the payment is not refunded. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted.

Bad weather is handled differently from a personal change of plans. If the provider cancels because conditions are unsafe, you can move to another date or receive a full refund.

I would book this before finalizing the rest of your Lake Garda schedule, especially because only three places are available and the activity is often reserved more than a month ahead. Keep the morning free, and do not place a tight lunch reservation immediately afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this horseback outing if you want a calm rural ride paired with a real farm tasting, and if you like the idea of seeing Lazise through vineyards rather than only from the lakeside promenade. The small group, gentle horses, English-speaking tasting host, and family-made wine and honey give it a personal character.

Skip it if you want a full meal, fluent English during the ride, vegan food, or guaranteed helmet provision. At $156.20, the price is fair only if you value the combination of horseback riding, privacy, and farm products.

For the right person, this is a pleasant way to spend a morning near Lake Garda: two hours on horseback, one hour under the vines, and a closer look at the food and wine of the Lazise countryside.

FAQ

Where does the horseback ride start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 9:30 am.

Where does the activity finish?

It ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is three people.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

The horses are described as calm and good-natured, and the ride is considered manageable for beginners. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.

Is the tour offered in English?

The activity is offered in English. The horseback guide does not speak good English, while the host at the tasting does speak English.

Is food included, and can dietary needs be accommodated?

A tasting of local products and wine is included. Vegetarian food can be served, but vegan food is not available. You should report food intolerances or dietary needs in advance.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.