Guestbook

Dust on my boots, Stories in my heart! After nearly three decades out of the saddle, I returned to horse riding with a sense of quiet hope and was met with something far beyond expectation. I’ve now completed three rides with Panorama Trails: The Coast Trail, the Outlaw Trail and, before those, the magnificent Andorra Trail. Each one left a deep, irreplaceable impression. All very different. All unforgettable. But it’s the Andorra Trail that carved itself deepest into my soul. A true adventure in the fullest sense of the word. Demanding, yes, but breathtaking, humbling and everything I love most. From the very first moment, it was clear that this was not your average holiday ride. This was a meticulously choreographed expedition across remote mountain paths, thundering rivers and wide-open vistas that make your heart swell. The logistics were seamless. Every detail thought through by the extraordinary team - Rudi, Marionna, Luis and Nacho - who not only guided us, but lived and breathed the trail with us. They cared for the horses as tenderly as they cared for us. Nothing was rushed. Everything had purpose. And the horses, what can I say? Mine was Cordobès, an Andalusian whose power was matched only by his grace. Watching these animals navigate steep, narrow descents and bold river crossings with such confidence was awe-inspiring. You trust your horse with every step and that trust becomes something quietly beautiful. We rode for days through the high Pyrenees, each landscape more astonishing than the last. We picnicked beside waterfalls, shared stories by candlelight in mountain huts and watched the horses roll in the evening light after a long day; pure, unfiltered joy. One night, after a long day in the saddle, we arrived at a tucked-away camp in the Catalan hills. Sadernes. It felt like stepping into a secret. The kind of place that doesn’t announce itself, but gently unfolds. The horses had been seen to, relaxed and well-fed and we slipped into refreshing water washing away dust and effort and thought. We came out renewed, ready for whatever would follow. What followed was one of those rare, golden nights. We gathered at a long wooden table under the open sky, drawn together by hunger and the day’s shared rhythm. The food, local, generous, made with care, seemed to appear just when we needed it. There was laughter, stories, that quiet contentment that settles over a group who’ve lived something real together. Later, Luis picked up a guitar and together with the Spanish riders they sang. We sat by the fire until the dark deepened around us and the stars freckled the skies. And then, the cherry on the cake: a round dome tent nestled in the trees. Inside, a circle of colourful mattresses, like petals of a flower. We lay there, listening to the soft murmur of fellow riders still talking into the night; horses, trails, life. In the morning, light filtered through the canopy, and it felt like we woke up not just in nature, but inside something rare. It’s a night I carry with me. Not for any grand moment, but for the feeling: of ease, of connection, of having belonged, just for a while, to something quietly perfect. This so much goes beyond a trail ride. It’s a journey. At lease I went home with dust on my boots, stories in my heart and something quietly shifted inside.

Floor

This was my 14th trail with Panorama Trails and probably the most challenging one so far! I loved the mountains and the views; we saw way more wildlife than I expected. We had some bad luck with the weather but I believe Panorama Trails came up with the best possible solutions for alternative routes, accommodation etc. The mountains always find a way to surprise you and you just have to adapt in my experience, but they will also reward you with sights you could never imagine. Riding down towards our camp site in Andorra after a long day of riding was amazing, such a beautiful place! And I loved riding Chanello ❤️ I really recommend this trail if you are ready for a challenge and can't do the whole Andorra Trail, but be prepared for long, though days. Panorama Trails has a lot of more relaxing rides if that suits you better, the Mediterranean Trail for example is great if you want to experience the coast and go faster. I will for sure be back for another one of their trails!!

Erika

What a magnificent horseback experience this summer in the Pyrenees. Starting from Girona and guided by Rudi, we gradually made our way toward the Pyrenees, passing through beautiful villages such as Besalú and Beget, where we were welcomed into charming, comfortable small hotels full of character. We also stayed in the Sant Aniol Valley in a stunning glamping site deep in the forest, at the end of a medieval bridge, and next to a river where swimming after a day on horseback was an absolute delight. Our hosts welcomed us like royalty, in a warm, family atmosphere, and treated us to exquisite, original cuisine. We spent many hours in the saddle, but they were full of fun with lots of trotting and galloping on paths and through fields for a real adrenaline rush! The horses were beautiful and in excellent physical condition, mostly Spanish or Hispano-Arabian breeds, perfectly suited for this type of sporty trail. The second half of the ride leading up to Andorra was even more demanding: true high mountain terrain, crossing several passes up to 2,600 meters in altitude. In these challenging conditions, you can’t help but admire the courage and skill of the horses on steep, narrow trails and sharp ascents. Up there, we were completely alone in the mountains, often surrounded by impressive herds of cattle. The views over the Pyrenees were breathtaking. While the rest of the country was sweltering in the summer heat, the mountain air stayed cool and refreshing, a real treat! None of this would have been possible without Rudi, our guide, who knows these valleys and peaks like the back of his hand. He managed the horses’ workload with expert precision and always adapted the routes and timing to the weather conditions. Thank you, Rudi and Panorama Trails, for this truly exceptional experience! See you again very soon!

Paul

An absolutely amazing experience! This trail exceeded our expectations in every way. The horses were fantastic and suited us perfectly. We travelled as a pair and had a wonderful time. The horses remained calm in every situation, were well-trained, and also enjoyed a good, fast gallop. We always found our way thanks to the excellent GPS planning, and when the path was blocked by fallen trees that couldn’t be removed, Nikki called us and helped us find an alternative route. The support was great, and through the evening calls, we were always well prepared for the day ahead. The accommodations were well chosen, the hosts were very friendly, and the meals, often cooked just for us, were delicious. The views from horseback, as well as at the perfectly chosen picnic spots (including a chance to swim in the river!), were overwhelmingly beautiful. We were also surprised to find that the horses could easily stand quietly tied to a tree for up to two hours while we walked into the village to eat. Another pleasant surprise was the choice of trails: so many small paths, and we often found ourselves wondering how you even managed to plan such a route! It was simply an incredibly great experience, and we are already looking forward to the next time. A heartfelt thank you to the Panorama Trails team for such an unforgettable adventure!

Gudrun A.

This trail exceeded our expectations! The horses were wonderful and perfectly matched to us. We were a group of two and had an absolutely beautiful time. The horses remained calm in every situation, were well-trained, and also enjoyed a good canter.

Thanks to the excellent planning and GPS navigation, we always found our way easily. When our path was blocked by fallen trees that couldn’t be cleared, Nikki quickly found us an alternative route over the phone. The support we received was fantastic, and the evening calls always prepared us perfectly for the next day.

The accommodations were well chosen, with friendly hosts and delicious meals – often cooked especially for us. The views from horseback, as well as at the perfectly chosen picnic spots (one even included a swim in the river!), were absolutely breathtaking.

We were also surprised to see how relaxed the horses were, happily standing tied to a tree for two hours while we enjoyed a meal in a village a kilometre away. The choice of the tracks was another highlight – so many small paths that made us wonder how you ever managed to plan such a route!

It was simply an incredibly wonderful experience, and we are already looking forward to the next time. A heartfelt thank you to the entire Panorama Team for this unforgettable adventure!

Gudrun Ascherl