Horse Riding in Reunion Island: 2026 prices and packages
Six rides, from a €35 taster at Le Maïdo to a €320 3-day trek, with two partner riding centres that cater for everyone from complete beginners to advanced riders. Le Maïdo, Grand-Étang, the volcano: here's what you need to know before booking.
From €35 for a taster2 partner centres6 rides for all levelsGift voucher PDF available
Quick facts
Horse riding in Reunion Island at a glance
Packages
6 offers
Riding centres
2 active
Entry price
€35 for the taster
Highest price
€320 for the 3-day trek
Minimum age
10 to 12
Lowest level
None (taster)
Ideal season
May to November
Gift voucher
PDF available
Two stables lead the way for horse riding in Reunion Island: Les Chevaux du Maïdo (Saint-Paul, west coast, access to Mafate) and the Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang (Saint-Benoît, east coast, access to Bassin Bleu and Piton de la Fournaise). Between them they cover both sides of the island, and complement rather than compete with each other. Other outfits such as Hudada also offer rides and treks on the island.
Choosing by level
Which ride suits you?
Before booking, be honest about your level. It will spare you a miserable next day (serious saddle soreness, frustration on horseback).
Complete beginner
You've never ridden, or hardly ever: the Maïdo 1-hour taster at €35 or the Grand-Étang half-day at €55 are the only two suitable options. Skip longer rides with trotting, or your legs will pay for it the next day.
Novice (French Galop 1-2 level)
You've ridden a few times and can hold your seat at walk and trot. The 2-hour ride at Le Maïdo with trot and canter is perfect, or the Grand-Étang Bassin Bleu day if you love water. The 2-day trek is too much at this stage.
Confident rider (Galop 3 and above)
You ride regularly and are confident at walk, trot and canter, so every option is open to you. Go for the 2- or 3-day trek or the volcano day, which really use your skills: long canters, technical terrain and varied pace.
Expert rider with their own horse
No centre in Reunion Island hires out horses to ride alone: it's not allowed on the National Park's trails. On request, centres arrange private rides with a guide, on a horse they choose to match your level.
6 rides in detail
The full catalogue
Six rides cover the full range, from the €35 taster to the €320 3-day trek. For each: price, length, level, age, location, operator and what makes it worth doing.
1
A 1-Hour Taster at Piton Maïdo
Price
From €35
Duration
1 hour
Level
None, first time
Age
From age 10
Location: Forest road, Saint-Paul · Operator: Les Chevaux du Maïdo
A taster for anyone who's never ridden before: 15 minutes of instruction at the stable on posture and reins, then a 45-minute ride on wide, safe trails through the Maïdo cryptomeria forest, with glimpses of Mafate and the west coast if the weather allows.
Why go: The easiest and cheapest way to try riding on the island, at €35. Calm horses used to beginners and qualified guides. A good family option with a child of 10 or over, as long as nobody feels pressured.
2
A Half-Day at Grand-Étang
Price
From €55
Duration
Half a day
Level
All levels
Age
From age 12
Location: RN3 Pont Payet, Saint-Benoît · Operator: Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang
A ride around Grand-Étang lake, the island's only upland lake, through a damp tamarind forest, with a break by the water and a different trail back. A half-day, ideal to pair with a visit to Saint-Benoît in the afternoon.
Why go: An exceptional setting with a jungle feel, far wetter and greener than Le Maïdo: a different side of Reunion Island. At half a day, you won't be too saddle-sore.
3
A 2- or 3-Hour Ride at Le Maïdo
Price
From €60
Duration
2 to 3 hours
Level
One or two previous rides
Age
From age 10
Location: Forest road, Saint-Paul · Operator: Les Chevaux du Maïdo
Three options depending on your level: a 2-hour loop at a walk, 2 hours with trot and canter if you've ridden before, or 3 hours for advanced riders through the cryptomeria forest, with 1,000m of height change over technical sections (French riding level Galop 3 required, i.e. confident at walk, trot and canter). There's a sunset ride in summer.
Why go: The most flexible option for intermediate riders: the instructor lengthens or shortens it depending on how the group is doing. Sunset at Le Maïdo is a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
4
A 2- to 3-Day Riding Trek at Le Maïdo
Price
From €320
Duration
2 or 3 days
Level
Advanced rider
Age
From age 12
Location: Departs and returns to Saint-Paul · Operator: Les Chevaux du Maïdo
The 2-day route sets off at 1,200m, with a night in a partner gîte (mountain guesthouse) and a mix of easy and technical trails at varied paces. The 3-day route spends the first night in the Saint-Paul savanna and the second in a bamboo plantation, passes a viewpoint over Mafate and returns to the riding centre on little-used trails.
Why go: The most immersive way to ride in Reunion Island. You sleep out on the trail, take your time and learn as much as on a riding course. For riders after a real adventure.
5
A Day Discovering the East
Price
From €130
Duration
1 day, lunch included
Level
Advanced rider, all three paces
Age
From age 12
Location: Saint-Benoît and surrounding area · Operator: Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang
A full day through the lush east: rivers, waterfalls, forests, freshwater pools and a swim at Bassin Bleu in Sainte-Anne, past sugar cane fields, vanilla plantations and orchards. A Creole lunch is included, home-cooked at the farm's table d'hôte.
Why go: Great food and the wild eastern hills in one day. You see what visitors who stick to the west coast miss: a lush, humid Reunion Island and its farming traditions. The swim is unforgettable.
6
A Day at Piton de la Fournaise Volcano
Price
From €150
Duration
1 day
Level
Advanced rider, all three paces
Age
From age 12
Location: The volcano, departing from Saint-Benoît · Operator: Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang
An exceptional day on the slopes of Piton de la Fournaise: lunar landscapes, the Plaine des Sables, volcano viewpoints, technical tracks and varied paces. It's a striking contrast with the island's other rides: bare volcanic rock and the thrill of high altitude.
Why go: One of the finest days on horseback anywhere in the world. Very few visitors see the volcano this way, so you often have the trails to yourself. May to November is best for the weather.
Horse riding activity pages
4 detailed pages by area and operator
Each area has its own page with checked prices, Manawa reviews and practical details before you book. Click a card for the full details.
Ride in the morning, then see it all from above in the afternoon (helicopter, microlight) or go off-road (quad biking at Le Maïdo). And a campervan to link Le Maïdo and Grand-Étang without constraints.
The helicopter, to see from above what you rode through on horseback
After a day on horseback at Le Maïdo or the volcano, a helicopter flight shows you from above the terrain you rode through. Mafate from the ground, then from the sky: two complementary ways to discover the same mountains.
Agoda prices shown as of 18 October 2026 for 2 people, 1 night.
Combine horse riding and a road trip
A campervan to link Le Maïdo and Grand-Étang without constraints
Le Maïdo in the west, Grand-Étang in the east: two and a half hours across the island by road. With a campervan, you sleep right by the riding centre and fit two contrasting rides into two days without heading back to the coast. Yescapa connects owners with travellers.
Horse riding in Reunion Island: your questions answered
How much does horse riding cost in Reunion Island?
Prices range from €35 for a 1-hour taster at Le Maïdo to €320 for the 2- to 3-day trek with nights in gîtes. The most popular mid-range options: €60 for the 2-hour ride, €130 for the full Grand-Étang day with lunch, and €150 for the volcano day. Prices from Manawa and Funbooker, correct at the time of writing.
Do you need to have ridden before to go horse riding in Reunion Island?
No. Two riding centres offer a one-hour taster or a half-day for beginners: Les Chevaux du Maïdo (€35 for 1 hour) and the Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang (€55 for the half-day), with instruction at the stable, calm horses used to beginners and qualified guides. From age 10 or 12 depending on the centre.
What level do you need for multi-hour rides?
Rides of more than 2 hours include trotting and sometimes cantering, so you need to have ridden at least once or twice before. The 3-hour forest ride at Le Maïdo, with 1,000m of height change, requires French riding level Galop 3 (confident at all three paces). The 2- or 3-day trek requires an advanced level, and the Grand-Étang and volcano days require you to be confident at walk, trot and canter.
Where can you go horse riding in Reunion Island?
There are four main areas with active riding centres: Piton Maïdo (Les Chevaux du Maïdo, 500 Route Forestière de Cryptomerias, Saint-Paul), Grand-Étang in Saint-Benoît (Ferme Équestre du Grand-Étang, RN3 Pont Payet), Piton de la Fournaise via a Grand-Étang booking, and Bassin Bœuf in Sainte-Suzanne for certain seasonal offers.
What gear should you bring for horse riding in Reunion Island?
Long trousers (never shorts, which chafe on the saddle), closed shoes with a small heel (no flip-flops or thin trainers), a long-sleeved top or fleece depending on the altitude, and a cap or bandana to wear under the helmet. The centre provides the helmet and saddle. Bring a water bottle, plus sunscreen for rides above 1,200m.
Can you go horse riding with a child?
Yes, from age 10 at Les Chevaux du Maïdo for the 1-hour taster, and from 12 at the Ferme du Grand-Étang. For younger children, some centres offer led pony rides, with a parent walking alongside, on special days. Check the partner listing for the exact age limit for your chosen ride.
Is there any risk to horse riding in Reunion Island?
The centres choose calm horses that know the trails well. The real risk is the weather: heavy rain on dirt trails, and fog at Le Maïdo from midday. Set off in the morning, wear the right gear and listen to the instructor. Centres have procedures in case of a fall, but serious accidents are very rare.
Can you combine horse riding with other activities?
Yes. A classic combination: a morning ride at Le Maïdo, then paragliding in Saint-Leu or a catamaran trip from Saint-Gilles in the afternoon. In the east: a riding day at Grand-Étang, a night in Sainte-Anne, then the lava coast road the next day. For advanced riders: a volcano riding day, a night in a gîte on the Plaine des Cafres and a volcano hike the next morning.
What's the best season for horse riding in Reunion Island?
May to November is the dry season, ideal everywhere (Le Maïdo, Grand-Étang, the volcano). In the wet season, from December to March, some rides are cancelled or shortened in heavy rain, especially at Grand-Étang (muddy trails). For the volcano, avoid July and August, when afternoon fog is common.
How do you book a horse ride in Reunion Island?
Book online through the Manawa or Funbooker listings: several weeks ahead for the 2-3 day treks, and 2 to 7 days ahead for shorter rides. Cancellation is generally free up to 48 hours before, with specific conditions for each ride. Centres also take bookings by phone, but the online price is usually the same, and you can buy a digital gift voucher.
Do you need a medical certificate to ride in Reunion Island?
No, not for a taster or a one-off ride. At the start, the instructor asks you to sign a form declaring you have no medical condition that rules out riding (heart problems, severe osteoporosis, advanced pregnancy, severe obesity). For the 2- or 3-day trek, some centres ask for a doctor's certificate.
Is there a gift voucher for horse riding in Reunion Island?
Yes, both riding centres offer digital gift vouchers through Manawa and Funbooker, valid for 6 to 12 months; the recipient then books a date with the centre. More ideas in the gift experiences guide.
