Lake Como is one of those places that stays with you. And for the few who discover horse riding in the hills above the lake, inside Monte Barro Natural Park, it stays with you in a way that the villas and the ferries simply cannot match.

Here, at the edge of Lake Como's less-travelled eastern shore, a small team of guides offers purebred Arabian horse treks through limestone mountain trails, ancient hilltop villages, and open countryside with simultaneous views of both Lake Como and Lake Annone.

The rides finish, depending on what you choose, with wine tasting alongside an enologist, a light aperitivo with lake views, or a full traditional lunch in the hills.

It is one of the most distinctive horse riding experiences in Italy, and it sits roughly 20 minutes from Como and 50 minutes from Milan.

The Rides: From a Short Escape to a Full-Day Mountain Trek 

🏔️ Ride on the Hills — €70

Duration: Short | Level: All levels

The most accessible entry point. A guided ride through the rolling hills above Galbiate, with open views across the surrounding countryside.

What you'll experience:

• Your first encounter with the Arabian horses — known for their responsiveness and elegance
• Open hillside terrain above Lake Como's eastern shore
• A quiet, crowd-free introduction to the Monte Barro landscape

🌿 Ride into Nature — €110

Duration: Half-day | Level: All levels

A step up from the introductory ride, taking the trail deeper into the natural park.

What you'll experience:

• Longer stretches of open countryside through Monte Barro Natural Park
• Limestone formations and native woodland unique to the northern Italian foothills
• Dual views of Lake Como and Lake Annone from the higher trail sections

🌲 Wonderful Trek — €150

Duration: 3 hours | Level: All levels

One of the most popular rides on offer — long enough to build a genuine connection with the horse, varied enough to feel like a real mountain journey.

What you'll experience:

• Three hours through the park's most scenic trail sections
• Views across both lakes from elevated ridge terrain
• The unhurried pace that makes Arabian horses so well-suited to trekking

🌕 Full Moon Trek — €150

Duration: Evening | Level: All levels

The same mountain terrain, ridden at night under a full moon. A rare offering — very few riding centres anywhere in Italy run it.

What you'll experience:

• Monte Barro's limestone trails after dark
• The particular stillness of the Italian lake district at night
• An experience almost no other operator near Lake Como can offer

🏞️ Horseback Ride on the Lake — €300

Duration: Half-day premium | Level: All levels

A longer, more immersive ride designed specifically around the lake views — trails chosen to maximise time spent with Lake Como and Lake Annone visible simultaneously.

What you'll experience:

• Extended riding with the best dual-lake vantage points in the park
• The kind of panoramic views most visitors only see from a boat
• A pace and setting suited equally to experienced riders and confident beginners

🗻 Unique Ride on the Hills — €300

Duration: 5 hours | Level: All levels

Five hours in the saddle across the full breadth of the Monte Barro trail network — the most comprehensive half-day option available.

What you'll experience:

• Ancient hilltop villages passed on the trail
• High limestone peaks and mountain pasture terrain
• A five-hour arc through landscape that changes character across the day

A rider's review of this ride: "A wild horseback adventure near Milan — scenic views of Como and Annone lakes and incredible mountain vistas. Martina's storytelling made the whole ride come alive." — Alvaro A.

🌊 Amazing Lake Trek — €500

Duration: 8 hours | Level: All levels

A full day in the saddle. This is the flagship experience — eight hours following trails that combine everything the Monte Barro park offers, finishing with a traditional farmhouse lunch.

What you'll experience:

• A full day riding the complete trail network above Lake Como
• A traditional farmhouse lunch mid-route
• The deepest single-day immersion available into this landscape
• Basic accident insurance and safety equipment included

⛰️ Exclusive Mountain Trek — €500

Duration: 8 hours | Level: All levels

The alternative to the lake-focused full-day ride — this version prioritises high mountain terrain, dramatic elevation, and the more remote sections of the park.

What you'll experience:

• Eight hours through the highest and most challenging trails in Monte Barro
• Views from the limestone peaks looking out over the broader Lombardy landscape
• A different side of the same park — wilder, quieter, more demanding
  
  
  

Quick Ride Comparison 

The Horses: Arabian, Calm and Completely Unforgettable 

These are not your average trail horses.

The Arabians at Noor are calm, gentle and — once you have spent an afternoon with one — almost impossible to forget. Riders come for the lake views. They leave talking about the horses.

What riders say:

• "I fell in love with Amerì — the horse was extraordinary, and Martina matched us perfectly from the first moment." — Isabella
• "I rode Zambesi — incredible horse." — Alvaro A.

Martina matches every rider to their horse personally, not by weight category or tick-box, but by personality and feel. It is a small detail that changes everything about the experience.

Who Is Guiding You: Martina

Every ride here is guided by Martina.

She is not a riding school instructor in the conventional sense. She did not grow up with horses in a structured academy. She grew up with them in the way that some people do — close, daily, as a language rather than a discipline. The horses at this yard are hers. She knows each one by temperament, not just by name.

Alongside Martina is Riccardo, who assists with guiding on the longer treks and multi-day packages. Together, they lead groups of no more than four riders at a time. This is not a large commercial operation. It was never designed to be.

Beyond the Ride — Add-On Experiences

The rides are the centrepiece, but several add-ons can be combined with any booking to extend the experience:

• Aperitivo with lake views — €30 — A drink and light snacks on the hillside with the lake below
• Horse Yoga — €25 — A ground-based session combining yoga and interaction with the horses
• Light lunch or aperitif with lake views — €45 — A more substantial food addition to shorter rides
• Lunch among the horses — €50 — A traditional meal taken at the ranch, surrounded by the herd
• Wine tasting with an enologist — Price on enquiry — A guided tasting in the mountains with a specialist

What Riders Say

"The views were absolutely breathtaking — you can see both Lake Como and Lake Annone at the same time. Martina was wonderful, and the horses were so well-trained. Perfect for beginners." — 559tainap

"A five-hour trek through plains, woods and back — the Arabian horses have such a beautiful gait. Martina organised everything perfectly, including a gluten-free lunch. A dream for any horse lover." — Costanzav29

"I rode Zambesi — incredible horse. The views across Como and Annone were unlike anything I've seen, and Martina's stories about the landscape and the horses made it feel like something completely different to a normal trail ride." — Alvaro A.

"The landscape was enchanting — Lake Lecco from horseback, affectionate horses and a guide who clearly loves what she does." — T8906vnangelicaa

How to Book

All rides are bookable through Cavago, the specialist platform for equestrian travel in Italy:

Book Horse Riding at Lake Como on Cavago

Which Riding Holiday Near Rome is Right for You? 

FAQs

• Is there horse riding at Lake Como? Yes — in Galbiate, inside the Monte Barro Natural Park. It is the only purebred Arabian horse trekking experience at Lake Como, offering rides from €70 to €500 for a full-day expedition.

• How much does horse riding at Lake Como cost? Rides start at €70 for a short hill ride and go up to €500 for a full eight-hour trek with a farmhouse lunch included. Most riders choose the Wonderful Trek (€150, 3 hours) or the Unique Ride on the Hills (€300, 5 hours) as their first visit.

• Is Lake Como horse riding suitable for beginners? Yes. Every ride is guided by Martina or Riccardo, who match each rider to an appropriate horse before departure. Multiple reviews specifically highlight the experience as ideal for first-time riders.

• What makes this different from other Lake Como activities? Dual views of Lake Como and Lake Annone from the saddle, purebred Arabian horses, a natural park setting, and a maximum group size of four. It is not a tourist trail loop — it is a personal, guided experience through one of northern Italy's most scenic landscapes.

• Can I add wine tasting to my horse riding experience at Lake Como? Yes. A guided wine tasting with an enologist is available as an add-on to any ride. Contact Martina through Cavago to arrange it alongside your booking.

• What is the best ride to book for a first visit? The Wonderful Trek (€150, 3 hours) is the most popular first-time choice — long enough to genuinely experience the park and the horses, varied enough in terrain to feel like a real mountain journey rather than a short trail ride.

• Can I do horse riding at Lake Como as a day trip from Milan? Yes. Galbiate is approximately 50 minutes from central Milan by car. The Wonderful Trek (3 hours) or Ride into Nature (half-day) work well as Milan day trips, especially in combination with a lake visit.

• What should I wear for horse riding at Lake Como? Long trousers (jodhpurs or jeans), closed-toe shoes or riding boots. Helmets are provided. Avoid loose scarves, open-toed shoes, or bulky jewellery.

Horse Riding Activities in Lake Como are listed on Cavago — the global platform for horse riding holidays and experiences. Browse availability and book directly online.