Mallorca: Horseback Riding Excursion and Wine Tasting

Mallorca’s Puig de Sant Martí is best seen at a walking pace, with a horse beneath you and forest trails ahead. This two-hour outing combines a one-hour guided ride with a generous tasting of Mallorcan wine, cheese, pâté, jam, oil, and other local products at Ranxo Ses Roques.

I especially like the calm, well-cared-for horses and the way guides pair them with riders of different skill levels. I also like that the tasting is more than a few sips and cubes of cheese: Miguel and Sally explain the food, farming, and island traditions in a relaxed, often funny way. The main consideration is that this is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, people with animal or food allergies, or anyone over 243 pounds (110 kilograms).

Key points at a glance

• Ride through the forests of Puig de Sant Martí: Expect a one-hour guided route near Alcudia, with rocky and tree-lined sections.
• Designed for beginners as well as riders: Calm horses, clear instructions, and guides nearby make this a gentle introduction.
• Finish with a serious local tasting: Sample several wines, cheeses, tapas, pâté, jam, oil, and other island products.
• Meet the people behind the ranch: Miguel, Sally, and their family-run team add stories and humor to the food and wine.
• Pickup covers northern Mallorca: Look for the yellow and green Ranxo Ses Roques van, or make your own way to the ranch.
• Good value at $75: The price includes the ride, guide, equipment, helmet, tasting, and northern Mallorca transportation.

Why this Mallorca combination works

Horseback riding and wine tasting may sound like an odd pairing at first. In practice, the two parts balance each other nicely. The ride gets you outside and gives you a quiet view of Mallorca’s countryside, while the tasting slows the afternoon down with food, conversation, and local context.

This is not a full-day riding expedition. The horseback portion lasts one hour, and the complete activity is listed as two hours. That makes it easy to fit into a stay in Alcudia or northern Mallorca without giving up an entire day at the beach or pool.

The experience is based at Ranxo Ses Roques, a family-run ranch near Alcudia. The focus is not on showy production. It is on the animals, the trail, and products made by local farmers. That simple approach is part of the appeal.

Arriving at Ranxo Ses Roques

You can go directly to the ranch, which is the meeting point for the activity. If you are staying in northern Mallorca, free pickup and drop-off are included. Be ready five minutes before the scheduled pickup and look for a yellow and green van marked with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo.

Pickup is not offered from every part of the island. If you are staying elsewhere in Mallorca, check the route before booking and plan to reach the ranch yourself. This matters if you are based in Palma or another distant area, since the activity does not include transportation from those places.

Once you arrive, expect a working ranch rather than a polished attraction with a large visitor center. Some outings also included time around the farm animals, including baby goats, before or after the ride. That detail is not guaranteed as a formal part of the schedule, but it gives you a sense of the setting.

Choosing the right horse for your ride

The first important step is matching each rider with a horse. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience for beginners. The team asks about your riding background and helps place you on an animal that suits your comfort and ability.

You do not need previous riding experience. Several first-time riders found that the horses were gentle and did much of the work, while the guides gave clear directions and stayed close by. If you are nervous, say so at the start. One rider with a frightened beginner in the group described how the team chose a lower horse that helped her feel more secure.

That does not make horseback riding effortless. You still need to sit correctly, follow instructions, and stay aware of the horse beneath you. But the setup is designed to help you feel safe rather than rushed.

You receive riding equipment and a helmet. Comfortable shoes are the only item specifically requested, though practical footwear is plainly the sensible choice for a ranch and forest trail.

One hour through Puig de Sant Martí

The trail runs through the forests of Puig de Sant Martí near Alcudia. The route has been described as tree-lined and rocky, with some sections that feel more interesting than a flat ride around a paddock.

Most of the outing proceeds at a calm pace suitable for mixed ability levels. More experienced riders may have an opportunity for a short faster section, including a gallop in some cases, before rejoining the group. Do not book this expecting a sustained high-speed ride. The main purpose is a guided countryside outing that works for beginners and experienced riders together.

A group of one outing included 16 riders and three guides. Group size can vary, but this gives you a useful idea of the format. You will not be riding alone with a private instructor. You will be part of a group, with guides helping riders along the route.

That group setup has both benefits and limits. Beginners gain reassurance from having guides nearby, and couples or friends can share the experience. The tradeoff is that the pace must suit the least confident riders, so experienced equestrians should keep their expectations measured.

The setting is the real reward. From horseback, you notice the trail at ground level, the changing surface beneath the horses, and the trees close around you. It is a different view of Mallorca from the usual coastal road, resort promenade, or beach lounger.

Horses that receive visible care

Animal welfare is central to how this outing feels. The horses are repeatedly described as healthy, calm, beautiful, and well treated. Riders also noticed that the animals appeared loved and were put first by the staff.

That matters because the quality of a riding experience depends on more than scenery. A nervous or poorly matched horse can make a beginner miserable. Here, the guides focus on temperament and rider confidence, which helps explain why first-time riders tend to feel at ease.

You may also see the horses being turned out after the ride. One outing ended with riders sitting with their wine while the horses were taken out for the rest of their day. This is a small detail, but it gives the experience a more personal feel than a simple ride, photo, and departure.

The ranch is not suitable for people with animal allergies. That restriction should be taken seriously because you will spend time close to horses and other farm animals.

The wine and cheese tasting with Miguel

After the ride, you return to the ranch for the food and wine portion. For many people, this becomes the unexpected highlight. Miguel leads the tasting, with Sally and other members of the family-run team helping create a friendly, informal atmosphere.

The tasting includes several locally made wines and cheeses. Specific outings included four wines, four cheeses, dips, and in one case a shot of liquor. Exact selections may change, but you should expect more than a single sample of wine and one cheese.

The portions have been described as generous. That is good news if you want a proper taste of Mallorca rather than a formal tasting where each glass contains barely a mouthful. It also means you should pace yourself, especially if you are riding in the afternoon and have plans afterward.

Miguel explains the products and connects them to Mallorca’s farming culture. The talk can include local agriculture, island history, and the stories behind the producers. The tone is relaxed rather than academic, with humor mixed into the information.

I like this part because it gives the tasting a sense of place. You are not simply drinking imported labels in a resort bar. You are trying products tied to the island and hearing why they matter to the people who make them.

The wine selection may include bottles that are not easy to find in ordinary shops. If you discover a favorite, the ranch has a gift shop where you may be able to buy wine, cheese, or other products to take home.

Beyond wine and cheese

The food selection reaches well beyond the two headline items. You may try local pâté, jam, oil, dips, and other ecological products made by farmers on the island. Some outings describe the spread as local tapas, which makes the tasting feel closer to a small meal than a technical wine lesson.

This is especially useful if you want to connect Mallorca’s countryside with its table. Olive oil, preserves, and farm-made spreads tell you something about local food habits in a way that a standard sightseeing stop often does not.

Food allergies are a serious limitation. The activity is not suitable for people with food allergies, and the supplied information does not promise substitutions or a separate menu. If you have dietary concerns, ask before booking rather than assuming the ranch can adapt the tasting.

How much value do you get for $75?

At $75 per person, the price is fair for what is included. You receive a one-hour horseback ride, a qualified guide, helmet and equipment, a multi-item wine and food tasting, and free pickup and drop-off if you stay in northern Mallorca.

The value is strongest when you would otherwise pay separately for transportation, a short riding excursion, and a wine tasting. The combination also saves you from arranging several small activities on your own.

The ride itself is not long. If your main goal is serious trail riding, one hour may feel brief. Some people will wish for a longer time in the saddle. But this is not priced like a full equestrian day, and the tasting adds a second substantial part to the outing.

The tasting also helps the value. Four wines, four cheeses, dips, and other products can add up quickly at a restaurant or winery. At this ranch, the samples come with conversation about Mallorcan farms and producers.

Who should book this activity?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want a gentle introduction
• Couples looking for something different from a beach day
• Families with older teenagers, provided everyone is at least 16
• Horse lovers who care about how the animals are treated
• Visitors staying in Alcudia or northern Mallorca
• People who enjoy local food and informal wine tastings
• Experienced riders who are happy with a relaxed group outing

It is less suitable if you want several hours of riding, a private guide, a hard workout, or a tasting focused on formal wine analysis. It is also the wrong choice if you are under 16, pregnant, allergic to animals or food, or over the stated weight limit.

The mixed-ability format is a strength for couples and friends with different experience levels. A complete beginner can ride alongside someone who has ridden before, although experienced riders should accept that the group pace will remain moderate.

Practical details before you reserve

The activity lasts two hours, with one hour on horseback. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Spanish and English are available for the live guide. Miguel’s tasting presentation is described as informative and humorous, but the exact language arrangement for every part of the outing should be confirmed if no one in your group speaks either language.

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.

Wear comfortable shoes. You do not need to bring riding equipment or a helmet because those are included. Arrive on time for pickup if you use the service, and confirm that your accommodation is in the northern Mallorca pickup area.

Keep in mind that a wine tasting follows the ride. If you are driving yourself, plan accordingly. The supplied information does not state a designated driver service, so the included pickup may be the simplest option for anyone intending to sample every pour.

Should you book the Ranxo Ses Roques experience?

Book it if you want a compact Mallorca outing that mixes animals, countryside, local food, and wine without taking over your whole day. The calm horses and attentive guides make it a good choice for beginners, while the trail has enough rocky and wooded sections to keep the ride from feeling like a short circle in a field.

The best reason to go is the combination. You get the quiet pleasure of moving through Puig de Sant Martí on horseback, then sit down with Miguel and Sally to taste products connected to Mallorca’s farms. At $75, including the tasting and northern Mallorca pickup, it offers solid value.

Skip it if you are seeking a long, fast horseback expedition or if the age, allergy, pregnancy, and weight restrictions apply to anyone in your party. For everyone else, this is a friendly and unusually well-balanced way to spend two hours near Alcudia.

FAQ

How long does the Mallorca horseback riding and wine tasting activity last?

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

Where does the activity take place?

The ride takes place through the forests of Puig de Sant Martí near Alcudia, and the tasting takes place at Ranxo Ses Roques.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in northern Mallorca. Pickup is not included from other areas of Mallorca, and you can go directly to the ranch instead.

Is the horseback ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity accepts beginners and more experienced riders. Guides provide instructions and pair riders with horses suited to their ability and comfort level.

What food and drink is included?

The tasting includes several locally made wines and cheeses, along with other products such as pâté, jam, oil, dips, and other ecological goods made by local farmers. Specific selections may vary.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, people with animal allergies, people with food allergies, or anyone over 243 pounds (110 kilograms).

What languages are available?

The live tour guide speaks Spanish and English.