Mallorca: Horseback Riding Excursion and Wine Tasting

Mallorca’s Puig de Sant Martí gives this outing its best surprise: for one hour, you trade the crowded resort streets of Alcudia for a quiet forest ride on horseback. Back at Ranxo Ses Roques, Miguel and Sally turn the afternoon into a relaxed tasting of local wines, cheeses, pâté, jam, and oil.

I like the careful matching of horses to riding ability, and I like that the food tasting is more than a quick glass of wine. You get local products, stories about Mallorcan farming, and generous portions. The main consideration is that the ride is only one hour, and the activity is not suitable for children under 16, pregnant women, people with animal or food allergies, or anyone over 110 kilograms.

Key points at a glance

• Calm horses for first-time riders: Guides give clear instructions and pair riders with horses suited to their confidence and experience.
• A forest route near Alcudia: The ride passes through the rocky, tree-lined terrain of the Puig de Sant Martí.
• Miguel leads the tasting: Expect an informal presentation about Mallorcan agriculture, wine, and local food.
• More than wine and cheese: Tastings can include pâté, jam, olive oil, dips, tapas, and other products made by island farmers.
• Northern Mallorca transfers included: Pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in northern Mallorca in a yellow and green Ranxo Ses Roques van.
• Good value at $75: You get riding, equipment, a helmet, a guide, transport in the north, and a substantial tasting within a two-hour activity.

Riding through the Puig de Sant Martí

The ride begins at Ranxo Ses Roques, a family-run ranch near Alcudia. You are fitted with riding equipment and a helmet, then given safety instructions before meeting your horse.

This is not presented as a fast-paced riding lesson or a long trek across the island. It is a guided one-hour ride designed to work for a mixed group. That makes it useful for couples or families with older children who have different levels of experience, though everyone must be at least 16.

The horses are a major part of the appeal. They are described as calm, healthy, and well cared for, and the staff take time to match each rider with an appropriate animal. One first-time rider was paired with a gentle horse named Avatar, while another nervous rider was given a lower horse that helped her feel more secure.

That matching matters. Horseback riding can feel intimidating when you have never sat on a horse, and a quiet animal plus a nearby guide can make the difference between enjoying the ride and spending the hour gripping the saddle. You will receive basic instructions, and the guides remain available throughout the route.

The setting also helps. The Puig de Sant Martí is a forested area with rocky, tree-lined paths. It gives you a different view of Mallorca from the usual beach, marina, and resort circuit. The route can include uneven or challenging sections, so comfortable shoes are important. This is still an outdoor activity, not a smooth sightseeing ride on a paved path.

The experience can accommodate more experienced riders as well. One account describes experienced participants being allowed a short gallop away from the main group before rejoining it. Do not assume this will happen on every departure, since the pace depends on the group and the guides, but the detail suggests the ride is not limited to absolute beginners.

A group can be fairly large. One outing had 16 riders with three guides. That gives beginners plenty of support, but it also means this is not a private trail ride. If you want a quiet, highly personal riding lesson, this may feel too social. If you enjoy meeting people and sharing an activity, the group format works well.

Why the horses matter

Animal care comes through as a central part of the ranch experience. The horses are described as beautiful, healthy, well trained, and happy, with staff putting their welfare first. That is worth noting if you are selective about animal activities.

You will likely see the horses being returned to their area after the ride. One particularly pleasant detail was sitting with wine while watching the horses being turned out at the end of their working day. The ranch also has other animals, including baby goats, and some visitors spend time looking around the property before or after the ride.

The activity is not suitable for people with animal allergies, so take that restriction seriously. You should also wear comfortable shoes, since you will be moving around a ranch and riding through natural terrain.

The tasting with Miguel and Sally

The second half gives the outing its local character. After the ride, you return to the ranch for a tasting led by Miguel, with Sally and the wider team helping host the group.

The format can include several wines paired with cheeses and other island products. Specific tastings described include four wines, four cheeses, four dips, and, on some occasions, a shot of liquor. The exact selection may vary, but this is more generous than a token sample poured into a small glass.

Miguel’s style is relaxed, funny, and informative. He explains what you are tasting and connects the products to Mallorca’s farming traditions and local agriculture. The talk is not a formal wine course, which suits the setting. You get useful context without sitting through a stiff lecture.

The food can include local cheese, pâté, jam, olive oil, tapas, and other ecological products made by farmers on the island. Some wines may be difficult to find in ordinary shops, which makes the tasting a good chance to try something you might not otherwise encounter.

I especially like this part for visitors who want a sense of Mallorca beyond its beaches. A wine tasting by itself can sometimes feel detached from the place where you are staying. Here, the ranch, the animals, the farming stories, and the food are connected. The result feels closer to a visit with a local family business than a standard hotel activity.

The tasting is also social. Staff come around to chat with the group, and the generous pours mean you should pace yourself. Since the ride comes first, this order is sensible. Still, you may want to eat beforehand if you are sensitive to alcohol or plan to sample everything.

People with food allergies should not book this activity. The tasting includes multiple products, and the provided information specifically lists food allergies as a restriction.

What the two-hour schedule feels like

The advertised duration is two hours, covering the one-hour ride and the tasting. In practice, the full visit can take longer depending on transfers, check-in, time around the ranch, and the pace of the tasting. One account describes spending close to four hours at the property, while other departures may stay closer to the stated schedule.

The ride itself is the most structured part. You arrive, receive instructions and equipment, meet your horse, and follow the guide through the Puig de Sant Martí. The terrain gives the outing some variety, with forest and rocky sections rather than a single flat loop.

Afterward, the mood changes. The saddle is replaced by a table, and the emphasis moves from the outdoors to food, drink, and conversation. You can learn about the products while trying them, rather than simply being handed a plate with no explanation.

If you are planning another fixed appointment, leave extra time. The tasting is intended to be enjoyed, not rushed, and the transfer journey adds another variable.

Pickup from northern Mallorca

Pickup and drop-off are included from accommodations in northern Mallorca. This is useful if you are staying in Alcudia or nearby areas and do not want to arrange a taxi or rental car for a ranch outside the resort center.

The vehicle is described as a yellow and green van with the Ranxo Ses Roques logo. Be ready five minutes before the scheduled pickup time. That small detail can save you from standing in the wrong place or missing the vehicle.

Pickup is not included from other parts of Mallorca. If you stay in Palma or elsewhere in the south, you must make your own way to the ranch. One couple traveled by bus from Palma to Alcudia and found the journey worthwhile, but you should allow plenty of time and check your route before booking.

The meeting instruction is simple: if you are not using the optional pickup, go directly to the ranch. Confirm the exact meeting details when you reserve, since the supplied information does not provide a street address or travel time.

Is $75 a fair price?

At $75 per person, this is a strong package if you can use the northern Mallorca transfer. The price includes a one-hour guided ride, horse-riding equipment, a helmet, staff support, wine, cheese, and additional local products. Transport alone can add cost and effort to a countryside outing, so the included pickup improves the value.

The tasting also appears substantial. You are not paying only for a short ride and a single sample. You may try several wines with several cheeses and accompaniments, plus receive a presentation about the products and local farming.

The value is less clear if you are staying far from Alcudia and must arrange your own transport. In that case, add the cost and time of reaching the ranch. Also consider the riding time. If your main goal is a long horseback trek, one hour may seem brief.

For an afternoon combining outdoor activity, food, drink, and local context, the price is reasonable. It is especially good for couples, first-time riders, and anyone looking for something different from a beach day.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this for a mixed-experience group. Beginners receive calm horses, clear instructions, and close guidance, while more confident riders may get a little extra freedom if the group and conditions allow.

It also suits couples who want an activity with two distinct parts. One person can enjoy the horses while the other appreciates the food and wine, and both parts are included in the same visit. Several people who had never ridden before felt safe enough to enjoy the experience.

The ranch setting makes it appealing to families with teenagers aged 16 and older. It is not suitable for younger children, despite the general beginner-friendly approach.

You should think twice if you dislike group activities, have food or animal allergies, are pregnant, weigh more than 110 kilograms, or want a full-day equestrian excursion. You should also be comfortable with wine tasting and a natural trail that may include rocky ground.

Practical tips before you go

Wear comfortable shoes that can handle a ranch and uneven outdoor paths. You do not need to bring riding equipment or a helmet, since those are included.

Tell the staff about your riding experience and your confidence level at check-in. The team uses that information to pair you with a suitable horse, and honest communication is particularly important if you are nervous or have never ridden.

Keep your schedule flexible after the activity. The official duration is two hours, but the visit may run longer, especially when transport and the tasting are included.

If you are using pickup, watch for the yellow and green van marked Ranxo Ses Roques and be ready five minutes early. If you are coming independently, go directly to the ranch.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some useful flexibility when your Mallorca plans are still shifting.

Should you book Ranxo Ses Roques?

Book it if you want a relaxed, good-value afternoon that combines gentle horseback riding with a generous local tasting. The strongest reasons are the careful horse matching, the forest route near Alcudia, and Miguel’s entertaining presentation of Mallorcan food and wine.

Skip it if you need a long ride, a private group, or an activity free from animals and alcohol. For everyone else, especially first-time riders staying in northern Mallorca, this is a well-rounded way to spend two hours and see a more rural side of the island.

FAQ

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

The advertised duration is two hours. It includes a one-hour horseback ride and the wine, cheese, and local food tasting afterward.

Where does the activity take place?

The horseback ride takes place through the forests of the Puig de Sant Martí in Alcudia. The tasting takes place back at Ranxo Ses Roques.

Is horseback riding experience required?

No. The activity is designed for beginners as well as more experienced riders. Guides provide safety instructions, and horses are matched to each rider’s skill and confidence.

Are children allowed to join?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 16 years old.

Is pickup included?

Free pickup and drop-off are available from accommodations in northern Mallorca. Pickup from other areas is not included, so you must make your own way to the ranch.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes. Riding equipment and a helmet are included.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.