Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

Take the old village trails. This four-hour horseback ride near Përmet brings together wild river country, mountain paths, old churches, hot springs, and the Lengarica Canyon in one compact outing. I like the calm, well-cared-for horses and the way the guides adjust the route to your riding ability. I also like the small-group format, with snacks, fruit, water, and wine included. The main consideration is that the ride can be physically demanding, especially on steep mountain paths or during faster riding.

The base is Funky Guest House & Adventures in Përmet, in southern Albania. Guides including Avenir, also called Avi, and Lilly are praised for giving beginners confidence while still keeping the outing fun for experienced riders. You should also know that the supplied details give two group-size limits, seven in one section and ten in another, so confirm the exact number when booking.

Key points to know before you ride

• The trail follows the Lengarica Canyon area, an old route once used to connect nearby villages.
• Saint Maria Church of Leuse is the named stop, with old villages, stone houses, churches, ruins, springs, and bridges included along the wider route.
• The horses are a major part of the appeal, with feedback praising their health, gentle behavior, and care when not working.
• Beginners are welcome, but this is still a mountain ride, not a slow pony circuit in a flat park.
• A picnic-style break is included, with fruit, cookies, snacks, water, and wine or soft drinks.
• The thermal baths are nearby, about 20 minutes from town, and make a natural add-on after riding.

Why this ride fits Përmet so well

Përmet is a good place for an outdoor trip because the scenery changes quickly. The Vjosa River, described as the last wild river in Europe, runs through the area, while the surrounding hills hold old villages, springs, churches, and canyon routes. A horseback ride lets you cover countryside that would take longer on foot without reducing the sense of being out in the open.

I especially like that the route is not presented as one rigid track for every rider. The team chooses a trail based on your riding experience. That matters for a family or mixed group, since a first-time rider needs different handling from someone who is comfortable trotting or cantering.

The ride also connects several pieces of Përmet’s character. You may pass the stone houses and cobblestones of villages such as Benja, Ogdunani, Leuse, and Badlonje, then move through hills, valleys, springs, and canyon country. The result feels more like a proper countryside outing than a short photo stop with horses.

Meeting in central Përmet and getting ready

The meeting point is Funky Guest House & Adventures at Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri, Përmet 6401. The activity begins and ends there, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included. The information says the location is near public transportation, which is useful if you are staying in town without your own car.

Allow time before departure to settle in and listen to the riding instructions. A safety riding cap is provided, and the team uses your experience to decide which trail suits the group. Beginners should say clearly that they are new or nervous. That gives the guides a chance to set expectations and offer more help from the start.

The staff receive especially strong praise for being patient and reassuring. One family had three first-time riders, including someone who was very nervous, but the group soon felt comfortable enough to trot and canter. That does not mean every beginner will have the same pace. It does show that the guides are used to teaching people who are still finding their balance.

The horses also receive unusual attention in the feedback. They are described as healthy, friendly, well behaved, and free to roam the countryside when not working. That is important to me. A scenic ride is much more enjoyable when the animals look relaxed and properly cared for.

Saint Maria Church of Leuse and the old village route

Saint Maria Church of Leuse is the named stop on the itinerary. The wider area is known for old churches with striking paintings, traditional stone houses, narrow cobbled routes, cold-water springs, and villages that retain a strong local feel.

The church gives the ride a cultural pause between stretches of open country. You are not only moving through hills for the view. You are also seeing the kind of village buildings and religious sites that explain how people lived in this part of southern Albania.

The supplied information does not give a fixed visiting time inside the church, so do not assume there will be a formal guided tour or a long interior visit. Treat it as a scenic and cultural stop within the route. If you care about seeing the paintings in detail, ask the guide how much time is available and whether the church is open during your ride.

Leuse is also one reason this outing suits people who want more than a standard horseback loop. The old routes link natural scenery with real settlements. You get hills, ruins, churches, and village paths instead of only a marked riding arena.

Along the Lengarica Canyon trails

The favorite route follows the beautiful Lengarica Canyon area. This was once an old trail linking several villages, so the path has a practical past as well as strong scenery. You can expect a mix of valley views, hills, springs, canyon walls, and rougher ground rather than a smooth, uniform track.

The canyon is likely to be the visual high point of the ride. The terrain gives you changing views as the horses move along the route, and the pace can feel more adventurous than a beginner lesson. Several reviews praise the scenery, with one rider singling out the final galloping section as especially memorable.

That faster riding is also the clearest caution. A ride that includes trotting or cantering may be thrilling for an experienced rider, but it can feel uncomfortable for someone who has only sat on a horse once. The feedback includes praise for the fun and a warning that the outing is not for the faint-hearted. Be honest about your ability and tell the guide if you do not want to canter.

You may also come across sheep herds and goats along the way. These ordinary rural details are part of the charm. The ride is not staged around a single attraction, and the countryside may feel quiet, working, and local.

Springs, ruins, bridges, and the picnic break

The route can include old ruins, stone bridges, valleys, and cold-water springs. These stops break up the riding and give you a chance to look around without being in the saddle for the entire four hours.

A short food break is included. You receive snacks, fruit, cookies, and water, along with wine or soft drinks. The feedback describes a picnic under a tree with fruit, nuts, and wine, although the exact setting can vary with the route and weather. This is a thoughtful inclusion because a half-day ride can leave you hungry, especially in hilly country.

Lunch is optional at 15 euros per person, including drinks. Since the included food is described as snacks rather than a full meal, you should choose the lunch option if you expect to eat properly during the outing. If you prefer a lighter trip, the included picnic may be enough for a four-hour activity, depending on your appetite.

The break also adds a social side to the ride. The group is small, and the guides are described as friendly and attentive. One account also mentions music and plenty of photos and videos, so you may return with more than a few quick snapshots. Still, it is sensible to ask how photos are handled and what is included on your date, since the main tour details promise snacks and drinks but do not formally list a photo package.

What the four-hour timing really means

The advertised duration is about four hours, which is long enough to feel like a real outing without taking the entire day. You can spend the morning or afternoon on horseback and still have time for other Përmet plans.

Do not read four hours as four hours of continuous riding. The route includes stops for scenery, the church, springs, snacks, and possibly village or ruin visits. That is good news for beginners, though the hills and changing ground can still make the ride tiring.

The pace depends on the group. Experienced riders may have the chance to trot or canter, while beginners may spend more time walking and learning. A mixed group can mean a slower overall rhythm, but it also makes the tour more welcoming for families and friends with different levels of confidence.

Comfort matters. The information does not specify a clothing list, so practical riding clothes and closed shoes are sensible choices. You should be ready for outdoor conditions and changing weather, since the activity requires good weather to operate.

The thermal baths after the ride

The thermal baths are about 20 minutes from Përmet and offer an easy way to extend the outing. After the ride, you can relax in the pools and explore the canyon area.

This is not listed as part of the core four-hour ride, so check how you will reach the baths and what extra costs or arrangements apply. The supplied details say you can enjoy them after the trip, but do not state that admission or transport after the activity is included.

Still, the pairing makes sense. Horse riding gives you the active portion of the day, while the pools offer a slower finish. If you have time in Përmet, this combination may be more satisfying than treating the ride as a stand-alone booking.

The thermal baths also reinforce the strength of this area as a base. You can combine nature, old villages, canyon scenery, and bathing without needing to move between distant parts of Albania.

Price, group size, and overall value

At $96.79 per person, this is not Albania’s cheapest short activity. The value comes from what is packed into the half-day: a horse, a guide, safety equipment, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a route through varied countryside, and snacks, fruit, water, and drinks.

The horses and guiding are the strongest reasons to consider the price worthwhile. The feedback repeatedly praises the animals’ care and the guides’ ability to support both beginners and experienced riders. That is more important than a low headline price when you are trusting a local team with your safety and comfort.

The small group also helps. The main highlights cap the outing at ten people, while the additional information says a maximum of seven. That discrepancy should be cleared up before payment. Either size is more personal than a large coach-style excursion, but seven offers more direct help and less waiting on narrow trails.

The tour is often booked about 31 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your Albania itinerary is fixed, especially if you want a particular date or are traveling as a family. Confirmation is issued at booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Late cancellation or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. Bad weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who will enjoy this ride most

I would recommend this trip to people who want a proper countryside outing with some adventure. It suits:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction and are willing to try a mountain route.
• Experienced riders who want more than a short walk around a stable.
• Couples looking for a memorable outdoor gift.
• Families with older children or mixed riding abilities, provided everyone can manage the activity.
• Visitors staying in Përmet who want to combine horses with villages, canyon scenery, and thermal baths.

You should think twice if you want a completely gentle ride on flat ground. The route can include hills and changing terrain, and faster riding may be offered or possible. The four-hour length may also feel too long if you are not used to sitting in a saddle.

The tour says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed limits for age, weight, mobility, or riding ability. Contact the operator with any specific concern before booking rather than guessing.

My verdict on Funky Adventures

I like this ride because it gives you a genuine sense of Përmet’s countryside in a manageable half-day. The strongest features are the horses, the caring guides, the canyon route, and the mix of natural and cultural stops.

The main drawbacks are practical rather than serious: the pace may be demanding for nervous beginners, the route is shaped by weather and riding ability, and the group-size information needs clarification. Lunch costs extra, and the thermal baths appear to be an optional add-on rather than a guaranteed part of the booked price.

Book it if you want a scenic, active outing and are comfortable with the possibility of trotting or cantering. Ask about the exact group size, lunch, thermal-bath arrangements, and the planned pace before paying. If those details suit you, this is one of the more memorable ways to see the hills and villages around Përmet.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding experience begin?

It begins at Funky Guest House & Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri, Përmet, Albania.

Where does the activity end?

The ride ends back at the meeting point in Përmet.

How long does the horse ride last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

What places can I see during the ride?

The route can include Saint Maria Church of Leuse, the Lengarica Canyon area, old villages, stone bridges, ruins, hills, valleys, and springs. The exact trail depends on rider experience.

Are the thermal baths included?

The thermal baths are described as an activity you can enjoy after the ride, about 20 minutes from town. The supplied details do not confirm that admission or post-tour transport is included.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The guides provide instruction and adjust the trail to the group’s riding experience. However, the route includes hills and may include trotting or cantering, so beginners should explain their comfort level before starting.

What food and drinks are included?

Included refreshments are snacks, fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks.

Is lunch available?

Yes. An optional lunch costs 15 euros per person and includes drinks.

How many people can join the ride?

The information gives two limits: the highlights say no more than ten people, while the additional details state a maximum of seven. Confirm the exact group size when booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number may also lead to a different date or a full refund.