You don’t have to go far to get in the saddle: Mangruyo Equestrian Center is located in La Secca Location, literally a stone’s throw from Villa al Lago. It is a well-equipped center with three outdoor fields, a covered riding arena, carousel and roundabout, nestled in the green Alpago basin with an open view of the mountains. Mangruyo offers horseback riding lessons for adults and children-even beginners-and organizes horseback rides in the surrounding area, including dirt roads, meadows and forests. Campuses are also activated in the summer for younger children, who can get close to horses and ponies themselves.
For those seeking longer itineraries, the Cansiglio Forest is the natural destination. The plateau, which can be reached in half an hour by car, offers several routes suitable for horseback trekking: from the Cansiglio-Mezzomiglio route, a classic among beech forests and clearings, to the path that starts at Pian Osteria, and the striking Sentiero della Serenissima, which crosses the historic forest of the Republic of Venice. These routes are on soft, undulating terrain with no special technical difficulties, perfect even for riders with little experience accompanied by a guide.
Also in the Cansiglio area, in Tambre, is the Bar All Alba Riding School (Strada Piai), another option for lessons and horseback riding outings in a high-altitude setting. On the other hand, for those who want to go a little further south, to the Prosecco hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, there are organizations such as Ranch La Dolza that organize one-day or multi-day treks along theHorseback Trail of the Treviso and Belluno Pre-Alps, with the possibility of combining riding with tastings and farm stops.
Costs for a guided walk in the Belluno area start at approximately 30 euros per hour. No prior experience is necessary; all that is needed are closed-toe shoes, long pants, and some desire to be outdoors. Riding stables in the area accept reservations even at short notice, making it easy to arrange a horseback riding outing during your stay.
From the gate of Villa al Lago to the Mangruyo Equestrian Center is a few hundred meters. Basically, you walk there.
