Mallorca: Horseback Riding Excursion and Wine Tasting

Mallorca’s Puig de Sant Martí gives this outing its character: you ride through rocky, tree-lined forest before returning to Ranxo Ses Roques for a generous tasting of island wines, cheeses, and farm goods. It is a neat pairing of outdoor fun and local food, rather than another quick stop at a tasting room.

I like the calm, carefully matched horses and the staff’s patient approach to beginners. I also like the personal touch from Miguel and Sally, who turn the tasting into a relaxed lesson about Mallorca’s farmers, produce, and traditions. The main thing to consider is that the riding lasts one hour, so experienced equestrians looking for a long or fast trail ride may want more saddle time. Also, the activity is not suitable for children under 16.

Key points to know before you book

• A gentle ride through Puig de Sant Martí: The route uses forest and rocky terrain near Alcudia, with guides close by throughout.
• Good for first-time riders: Horses are assigned according to riding ability, and beginners receive clear safety instructions and help.
• Miguel leads the food tasting: Expect local stories, several wines, cheeses, and other products such as pâté, jam, and olive oil.
• The horses receive strong care: The animals are described as healthy, calm, well trained, and treated as a priority.
• Northern Mallorca pickup is included: Pickup and return are available from accommodations in northern Mallorca, but not from every part of the island.
• Plan for a two-hour activity: One hour is spent riding, followed by the tasting and local-food presentation.

Why this Alcudia outing works so well

Horseback riding and wine tasting may sound like an odd match at first. Here, it makes sense. The ride lets you see a quieter side of Mallorca, and the tasting gives you a chance to understand what local farms produce. The two parts are different enough to keep the afternoon varied.

At $75 per person, the price includes the riding session, helmet and equipment, a qualified guide, the food and wine tasting, and free pickup and drop-off from northern Mallorca accommodations. That is solid value if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a riding excursion, and a tasting.

The experience also has a friendly family-business feel. Staff members help pair each person with a suitable horse, explain the basics, and stay attentive on the trail. Afterward, Miguel hosts the tasting with humor and a good deal of local information. Sally is also frequently involved in welcoming and helping visitors.

This is not a formal wine course. It is more relaxed, social, and practical. You will learn about the products while eating and drinking them, with time to ask questions and chat with the people around you.

Arriving at Ranxo Ses Roques near Alcudia

If you are staying in northern Mallorca, the free pickup service makes the outing easier. You should be ready five minutes before the scheduled pickup and look for a yellow and green van marked with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo.

The included pickup applies to accommodations in northern Mallorca. If you are staying elsewhere, you need to arrange your own way to the ranch and make your way directly to the meeting point. This matters if you are based in Palma or another part of the island. One person made the trip from Palma by bus, but the journey took about an hour, so check the route and allow enough time.

The ranch itself is part of the experience. In addition to the horses, the property may include other animals, and visitors have enjoyed seeing baby goats and looking around the small gift shop. These extras are not the main event, but they add a pleasant farm setting before or after the ride.

Wear comfortable shoes. You do not need to bring riding equipment, since a helmet and the required equipment are provided.

Choosing a horse and getting ready to ride

The staff begin with a basic introduction and safety instructions. This is especially important if you have never ridden before or feel uneasy around horses.

Horse assignments are based on your experience and comfort level. One nervous beginner was given a lower horse that felt more manageable, while another first-time rider was paired with a gentle horse called Avatar. That kind of matching can make a real difference. You are not simply placed on the first available animal.

The horses are repeatedly described as calm, healthy, beautiful, and well cared for. Beginners often find that the animals do much of the work, though you still need to listen to the guide and follow instructions.

The activity is listed as suitable for beginners and more experienced riders, but the age restriction is clear: children under 16 cannot take part. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with animal allergies, people with food allergies, or anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Riding for one hour through Puig de Sant Martí

The horseback portion lasts one hour and follows a guided route through the forests of Puig de Sant Martí in the Alcudia area. Expect rocky, tree-lined ground rather than a flat beach ride.

That terrain gives the outing more interest, but it also means you should not expect a completely effortless stroll. One account describes parts of the route as challenging, while another notes that more experienced riders were able to break away briefly for a little gallop before rejoining the group. That option may depend on the group, the guides, and the conditions, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed fast ride.

The guides remain close and provide clear directions. A group of 16 riders once had three guides, a useful ratio for an outing that includes both experienced riders and complete beginners. With a mixed group, the pace usually needs to suit the least experienced people, so confident riders may spend much of the hour at a steady walk.

The route is the reason to choose this activity instead of a riding session in an enclosed arena. You see Mallorca from a higher, slower-moving viewpoint, with trees, rocks, and open stretches along the way. The ride is not presented as a long wilderness expedition, but it gives you a genuine outdoor outing close to Alcudia.

You should also think about the weather. Mallorca can be hot, and you will be outside on horseback for the full riding hour. Comfortable clothing and shoes are sensible, though the only specifically required item is comfortable footwear.

The tasting table at Ranxo Ses Roques

After the ride, you return to the ranch for the second half of the activity. The tasting includes locally made wines and cheeses, along with other ecological products from local farmers.

The exact selection can change, but the food list includes pâté, jam, and oil. Several tasting experiences included four wines, four cheeses, and four dips, and another included a shot of liquor. The portions were described as generous, so this is more than a token sip and a thumbnail-sized cheese sample.

Miguel leads the presentation, explaining what you are tasting and connecting the products to Mallorca’s agricultural traditions. His style is informal and funny rather than stiff. He also talks about local farmers and the island’s past, giving the meal a little context without turning it into a lecture.

This is where the activity earns much of its value. Mallorca is known for food and wine, but it can be hard to tell which products are genuinely local when you are shopping in a resort area. At Ranxo Ses Roques, you are introduced to products made by island farmers, and some wines may not be easy to find in ordinary shops.

The tasting also gives you time to sit, talk, and recover after riding. In some outings, visitors could see the horses being turned out at the end of their day while enjoying their wine. That small detail reinforces the farm setting and gives you a chance to watch the animals after the ride.

If you do not drink alcohol, the activity may be less appealing because wine is a central part of the second half. If you have food allergies, the experience is specifically not suitable for you. The tasting includes several products, and the provider does not present it as an allergy-adapted meal.

What makes the horses a strong part of the experience

The care of the horses is one of the most consistently praised parts of this outing. That matters more here than it might on a quick pony ride, since you spend a full hour riding and need to feel comfortable with the animal beneath you.

The horses are described as calm, well behaved, healthy, and loved by the staff. People with no riding experience often felt safe because the animals were steady and the guides offered help throughout.

That does not mean horseback riding is entirely passive. You still need to sit correctly, follow instructions, and stay alert on uneven ground. But the operation appears designed to make the activity approachable rather than intimidating.

If you have ridden before, tell the staff clearly what you can do. More confident riders may have the chance for a little extra pace, though the main ride remains a guided group outing. If you are a complete beginner, say so at the start. The staff can use that information when choosing your horse and explaining the basics.

A practical look at the value

The $75 price is reasonable when you count the full package. You receive:

• A one-hour guided horseback ride
• A qualified guide and riding equipment
• A helmet
• Wine, cheese, and other local products
• Free accommodation pickup and return in northern Mallorca

The tasting is not an afterthought. It can include several wines, cheeses, dips, and other farm products, with Miguel explaining the food and local agriculture. In several outings, the tasting lasted long enough to become the social heart of the experience.

The price looks even better if you are staying in northern Mallorca and would otherwise need to pay for transportation. It is less straightforward if you are based in Palma or southern Mallorca, since the included transfer does not cover those areas.

You should also account for your own tolerance for group activities. A larger ride may include a mix of abilities, and the pace will not be tailored entirely to you. The payoff is the friendly group atmosphere and the chance to meet other people at the communal tasting table.

Who should book this Mallorca activity

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a supported introduction
• Couples looking for an unusual afternoon near Alcudia
• Families with teenagers aged 16 and over
• Visitors interested in local food as much as scenery
• Riders who want a short, relaxed trail rather than a full-day equestrian trip
• Anyone staying in northern Mallorca who values included transportation

It is also a good choice if one person in your group loves horses and another is more interested in food and wine. The riding gives the horse enthusiast something special, while the tasting provides a second reason to come along.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you are an advanced rider seeking a long independent ride, sustained trotting, or extensive time at a gallop. The excursion is built around a one-hour guided route and a tasting, not serious riding instruction.

It is also the wrong fit for anyone with animal or food allergies, pregnant visitors, children under 16, or people above the stated 110-kilogram weight limit.

Booking details worth checking

The total activity duration is listed as two hours, with one hour on horseback. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Mallorca plans are still shifting.

The tour is offered in Spanish and English. If you use the pickup service, be ready five minutes early and watch for the yellow and green Ranxo Ses Roques van. If you are not staying in northern Mallorca, confirm how you will reach the ranch before booking.

One small point deserves attention: the general description presents the ride as suitable for children and beginners, but the specific restrictions say children under 16 are not allowed. Follow the stated age restriction when planning.

Should you book Ranxo Ses Roques?

Book it if you want a compact Mallorca outing with two distinct parts: a scenic, beginner-friendly ride and a generous introduction to local wine and farm produce. The horses, the patient staff, and Miguel’s entertaining presentation make the activity feel personal rather than mass-produced.

Skip it if your priority is a long, athletic horseback trip or a quiet, highly formal wine tasting. For most visitors staying near Alcudia, though, the combination is hard to beat for $75, especially with northern Mallorca transfers included.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts two hours in total. The horseback riding portion lasts one hour, followed by the wine, cheese, and local-product tasting.

Where does the horseback ride take place?

The ride follows a guided route through the forests of Puig de Sant Martí in the Alcudia area of Mallorca.

Is the experience suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity accommodates beginners, and the staff provide safety instructions, help with horse selection, and guidance during the ride.

Can experienced riders take part?

Yes. The activity is also open to more experienced riders. Depending on the group and conditions, experienced riders may have an opportunity for a short gallop before rejoining the group.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under 16 are not allowed to take part. The stated minimum age is 16.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in northern Mallorca. Pickup from other parts of Mallorca is not included.

How will I recognize the pickup vehicle?

Look for a yellow and green van with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo. You should be ready five minutes before your scheduled pickup.

What food and drink are included?

The tasting includes locally made wines and cheeses, plus other local products such as pâté, jam, and oil. Some tastings have included four wines, four cheeses, and four dips, but the selection can vary.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. The provider supplies the riding equipment and helmet.

Who should not take part?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with animal allergies, people with food allergies, or people over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.