Mallorca: Horseback Riding Excursion and Wine Tasting

The best part of this Alcudia outing is the change of pace: you ride a calm, well-cared-for horse through the Puig de Sant Martí forests, then sit down with Miguel and Sally for Mallorcan wine, cheese, and farm-made treats. It feels more personal than a standard riding lesson or a basic tasting.

I like the careful horse matching and the easygoing guides, especially if you are new to riding. I also like that the tasting goes beyond wine and cheese, with local pâté, jam, oil, and other ecological products. The main limitation is simple: the ride lasts one hour, so experienced riders seeking a long or technical trek may want more time in the saddle.

Key points

• A beginner-friendly forest ride: Calm horses, safety instructions, helmets, and guides make this suitable for first-time riders.
• A real local tasting: Expect Mallorcan wines, cheeses, and other farm products, with stories about island agriculture.
• A useful northern Mallorca pickup: Free transport is available from accommodations in northern Mallorca in a yellow and green Ranxo Ses Roques van.
• A family-run feel: Miguel, Sally, and the ranch team add humor and personal attention to the food and wine session.
• A short but varied outing: The full activity lasts two hours, split between one hour on horseback and the tasting.
• Important restrictions: Children under 16, pregnant women, people with animal or food allergies, and riders over 110 kilograms cannot join.

A Horse Ride Through Alcudia’s Puig de Sant Martí

This experience begins with a guided horseback ride through the forests of the Puig de Sant Martí, near Alcudia. The route gives you a different view of northern Mallorca, trading beach promenades and hotel streets for rocky, tree-lined paths.

You do not need riding experience. The team gives safety instructions, supplies a helmet and riding equipment, and pairs you with a horse suited to your ability. That matching matters. A nervous beginner needs a steady animal, while a more experienced rider may appreciate a horse with a little more character.

The horses are a major part of the appeal. Several people describe them as calm, healthy, beautifully cared for, and comfortable with beginners. One first-time rider was paired with a gentle horse called Avatar, who apparently enjoyed nibbling branches along the route. Small details like that help explain why the ride feels friendly rather than intimidating.

You should still expect a proper outdoor ride, not a quick photo opportunity beside the stable. The route can include rocky and slightly challenging sections. Guides remain on hand, and one group of 16 riders had three guides, though group size and staffing can vary by departure.

The pace is designed to keep riders together. Experienced riders may sometimes be able to break away for a short gallop before rejoining the group, but do not book this expecting an extended fast ride. The main purpose is a safe, scenic introduction to the ranch and the surrounding countryside.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will also want clothing that can handle dust, branches, and contact with a horse. The supplied information does not specify a dress code beyond footwear, so practical outdoor clothes are the sensible choice.

Why Beginners Feel at Ease

I would recommend this ride to a first-timer who feels curious but slightly nervous. The staff explain the basics clearly, help you settle onto the horse, and stay nearby during the route. Several first-time riders found that the horses did much of the work, which is exactly what you want on a relaxed holiday outing.

The staff also seem to recognize that fear can vary from person to person. One rider with no riding experience felt reassured after being placed on a lower horse, while an experienced companion could enjoy the ride without leaving the beginner behind. That kind of practical adjustment is more useful than a generic promise that all abilities are welcome.

At the same time, you should not confuse beginner-friendly with completely effortless. Sitting on a horse for an hour can leave you a little stiff, and the path may be uneven. If you have never ridden before, listen closely to the guide and avoid treating the horse like a motorbike. Calm hands and simple instructions will make the ride better for you and the animal.

The activity is not suitable for children under 16, despite the general description referring to children and beginners. The specific restriction is the one to follow when booking. Pregnant women, people with animal allergies, people with food allergies, and anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms, cannot take part.

Meeting the Horses at Ranxo Ses Roques

The ranch itself adds character to the visit. You come for the ride and tasting, but the farm setting helps connect the two parts. One account describes a petting zoo, baby goats, a gift shop, and the horses being turned out at the end of the day. These extras may depend on the timing of your visit, but they show that this is more than a temporary trail stop.

The strongest repeated impression is that the animals are treated with care. You can see the horses before and after the ride, and the staff place clear emphasis on their welfare. That matters if you want an animal activity that feels respectful rather than rushed.

The ranch is run by a family team, with Miguel and Sally often involved in welcoming visitors and leading the tasting. Their style is informal and sociable. Miguel mixes information about Mallorcan farming with jokes and conversation, so the second half does not feel like a formal lecture.

If you are driving, you should make your way directly to the ranch for the activity. If you are staying in northern Mallorca, free pickup and drop-off are available from your accommodation. Be ready five minutes before pickup and look for the yellow and green van marked with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo.

Pickup from other parts of Mallorca is not included. That makes this outing much easier from Alcudia and nearby northern resorts than from Palma or the island’s far southwest. One person made the trip from Palma by bus, but that was a personal choice rather than a provided transfer, so check your own route and allow plenty of time.

The Wine, Cheese, and Farm-Product Tasting

After riding, you return to the ranch for the food and wine portion. This is not just a glass of wine handed to you at the end. Miguel introduces the products, explains where they come from, and connects them to Mallorca’s farming traditions.

The exact selection can vary, but the tasting includes several locally made wines and cheeses. Sessions have included four wines, four cheeses, and four dips, along with pâté, jam, oil, and other island products. Some tastings also included a local liquor. You should think of this as a generous sampling session, not a tiny formal pour.

I like this part because it gives context to ingredients you might otherwise pass over in a shop. You learn about local farmers and the stories behind the products, then taste them in a relaxed setting. The information stays light and entertaining, with enough detail to make the food memorable without turning the afternoon into a class.

The wine portions have been described as generous. That can be a bonus, but pace yourself. You are tasting several wines after an active hour outdoors, and some people found the session pleasantly tipsy. If you are driving, arrange your transport with care. The included pickup service is particularly useful here.

Cheese and wine are the central pairing, but the extra foods give the tasting more range. Pâté, jam, oil, and other ecological products let you sample the island’s pantry rather than focusing on one famous item. Food allergies are a disqualifying condition for this activity, so you should not book if you need a highly controlled tasting environment.

Miguel and Sally Make the Tasting Personal

The hosts are one of the clearest strengths of the experience. Miguel is described as funny, warm, and full of information, while Sally helps create the welcoming family atmosphere. They explain the products, talk about farming, and make time for conversation around the table.

That personal touch is valuable because the tasting follows a group ride. A less engaging host could make the transition from horses to food feel like a delay. Here, the social part is meant to be part of the event. You taste, ask questions, and learn a little about Mallorca’s rural life.

You may also have time to watch the horses being cared for after the ride. Sitting with a glass of wine while the animals are turned out gives the afternoon a pleasant connection between the two activities. It reinforces the sense that the horses are part of a working ranch, not simply props for an excursion.

There is a gift shop at the ranch, and you may find products to take home. The information provided does not list exactly what is sold or how products are packaged, so do not count on finding a particular bottle or cheese. Still, buying something local can be a better souvenir than another beach-town trinket.

Is Two Hours Enough for the Price?

At $75 per person, the value depends on what you compare it with. You receive a one-hour guided ride, equipment and a helmet, a qualified guide, the food and wine tasting, and free pickup and drop-off from northern Mallorca accommodations. That is a fair package for an outing that combines two activities.

The price looks particularly good if you would otherwise pay separately for a short ride, a winery visit, and transportation. It also saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi or finding the ranch on unfamiliar roads.

The two-hour length keeps the activity easy to fit into a holiday schedule. You can spend part of a day here without sacrificing an entire morning or afternoon at the beach. Some people spent longer at the ranch because of the animals, gift shop, or extra time around the tasting, but the advertised activity duration is two hours.

The tradeoff is riding time. If horseback riding is your main reason for booking, one hour may feel brief, especially if you already ride regularly. The appeal is the combination: a short forest route followed by a social tasting. I would see the value as strongest for couples, friends, and beginners who want variety rather than an all-day equestrian excursion.

The activity has a 4.8 rating from 383 reviews, which supports the impression of a consistently well-received outing. More important than the number itself is the pattern behind it: praise centers on the horses, the guides, the food, and the feeling of getting good value from the afternoon.

Who Should Book This Mallorca Excursion?

You should consider it if you want an active but manageable outing from Alcudia or another northern Mallorca base. It works especially well for:

• First-time riders who want clear support
• Couples looking for an unusual half-day activity
• Friends who enjoy food and drink as much as sightseeing
• Experienced riders happy with a relaxed group route
• Visitors interested in local farming and regional products
• Anyone who wants transport included from northern accommodations

It is less suitable if you want a long, fast, technically demanding ride. It is also the wrong choice for anyone with a horse allergy, food allergy, pregnancy, a weight above 110 kilograms, or a child under 16.

The group element is worth considering. You are likely to ride with other people, and the route is organized around a shared pace. That can make the experience more social, but it also means you will not have complete control over speed or direction.

English and Spanish are the available languages. If you do not speak either, the practical riding instructions may be harder to follow, so this is an important point to check before booking.

Practical Details Before You Reserve

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Mallorca schedule is still changing.

Check the starting time before you commit, since departure times depend on availability. If you use the pickup service, be outside five minutes early and watch for the yellow and green Ranxo Ses Roques van.

Bring comfortable shoes. A helmet and riding equipment are included, so you do not need to arrange specialist riding gear. The activity information does not promise hotel pickup outside northern Mallorca, so confirm your accommodation area rather than assuming the service covers the whole island.

The tasting includes alcohol and food. If you have food allergies, do not rely on being able to skip individual samples, since people with food allergies are listed as unable to participate. The same applies to animal allergies, given the close contact with horses and other farm animals.

Should You Book Ranxo Ses Roques?

I would book this if you want a friendly, well-rounded Mallorca outing rather than a pure riding lesson. The horses are carefully matched, the route offers a pleasant change from the coast, and the tasting gives the experience a real local flavor.

The strongest reasons to go are the calm horses, attentive guides, and the generous, entertaining session led by Miguel and Sally. The main reason to hesitate is the one-hour ride. Serious riders may want a longer trail, while a beginner or food-loving couple will probably find the mix just right.

For a northern Mallorca base, $75 is a solid price for riding, tasting, equipment, and transport. Just confirm the age, weight, allergy, and pickup rules before paying. If those fit your situation, Ranxo Ses Roques is an easy recommendation for an afternoon that feels more personal than a standard sightseeing stop.

FAQ

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

The advertised duration is two hours. This includes one hour of guided horseback riding and time for the wine, cheese, and local-product tasting.

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride takes place through the forests of the Puig de Sant Martí in Alcudia, in northern Mallorca.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience includes safety instructions, a qualified guide, riding equipment, and a helmet. The team pairs riders with horses suited to their ability, and beginners are welcome.

Are children allowed to join?

Children under 16 are not suitable for this activity. The minimum permitted age is therefore 16.

Is hotel pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are available from 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 the scheduled pickup time.

What food and drink is included?

The tasting includes several locally made wines and cheeses, along with other local products such as pâté, jam, and oil. Some sessions have included four wines, four cheeses, four dips, and a local liquor.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.