Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

The best view may come with four hooves. This four-hour ride near Përmet takes you into the Fir of Hotova National Park and along trails beside the Vjosa region, one of Europe’s last wild river areas. I like the small-group format and the way the route can be adjusted to your riding ability. I also like the mix of mountain scenery, old villages, churches, springs, ruins, and a picnic of fruit, cookies, water, and local wine.

The main point to consider is that this is a real mountain ride, not a gentle circuit in a flat field. You may ride on uneven trails and, depending on your ability, take different horse gaits, including trotting or cantering. The experience is suitable for beginners according to the available information, but nervous riders should tell the guides at the start and be ready for a more active outing.

• Saint Maria Church of Leuse gives the ride a cultural stop, not just a scenic one.
• Lengarica Canyon follows an old route once used to connect nearby villages.
• Avenir, Avi, Avenira, and Lilly are named in rider comments as friendly, reassuring guides, with Avenir and Avi especially praised for instruction and organization.
• Well-cared-for horses are a major part of the appeal, with reports that the animals roam freely when not working.
• Fruit, nuts, cookies, water, wine, or soft drinks are included for a simple outdoor break.
• Thermal baths near Përmet can be added to your day after the ride, with the pools about 20 minutes from town.

What the four-hour ride is really like

Funky Adventures begins the outing at Funky Guest House & Adventures on Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri in Përmet. The experience lasts about four hours and ends back at the same meeting point. An air-conditioned vehicle is included, which matters if the riding area is reached by road before or after the trail.

The group is kept small. One part of the information describes a maximum of 10 people, while the additional details give a maximum of 7. Either way, this is designed to be a personal outing rather than a long line of riders. A smaller group gives the guides more room to help with mounting, explain how to handle the horse, and adjust the pace.

The route is not fixed in the way a city walking tour usually is. The guides choose the trail based on the riders’ experience. That is good news for first-time riders, families, and people who already ride regularly, though it also means you should not expect every listed sight on every departure.

Choosing a trail beside the Vjosa and Lengarica

Funky Adventures operates on both sides of the Vjosa River. The region is known for open hills, traditional villages, old stone houses, cobbled lanes, cold-water springs, churches, and mountain valleys. From horseback, you get a better sense of how these places connect than you would from a car.

The favored route runs alongside Lengarica Canyon. This was once an old trail between villages, and that gives the ride a useful sense of place. You are not simply passing through a pretty area. You are following a route shaped by local movement, farming, and village life.

The canyon section is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. You can expect views of steep rock, hills, and open countryside, with the trail changing as it passes through valleys and higher ground. The exact riding conditions depend on the chosen route and the group’s ability.

That flexibility also brings the one practical uncertainty. A rider hoping to see every village, church, ruin, spring, and canyon in a single half-day may need to lower those expectations. The tour description presents a broad menu of possible sights, while the actual route is selected on the day.

Saint Maria Church of Leuse and the older villages

The named stop is Saint Maria Church of Leuse. The church is part of the village of Leuse, one of the traditional settlements around Përmet. Nearby villages named in the experience description include Benja, Ogdunani, and Badlonje, each associated with stone houses and older rural character.

The church adds a cultural reason to take the ride. You are not only looking outward at the hills. You also get a chance to see an old place of worship with remarkable paintings, according to the tour information. The stop should appeal to you if you enjoy small historic sites more than large formal museums.

The villages and ruins are best understood as part of the route, not as a full guided history tour. The available details do not promise a long lecture or a set amount of time at each site. Still, on horseback, the slow pace gives you a more natural way to notice stone walls, old paths, springs, and buildings that could be easy to miss from a vehicle.

Riding for the first time, or riding again

The horses are central to the quality of this experience. The strongest praise is directed at their calm behavior, good health, and care. One particularly appealing detail is that the horses are free to roam the countryside when they are not working. That suggests an operation where animal welfare is visible rather than treated as a footnote.

Guides have helped nervous first-time riders feel at ease, and the safety rider cap is included. The instruction is described as useful for both beginners and more experienced riders. Families have also taken part, including a group where three of four people had never ridden before.

Still, beginner-friendly does not mean completely passive. Some riders were able to trot and canter, and the mountain trails can feel adventurous. You should tell the guides how comfortable you are before setting out. If you want a slower ride, say so clearly. If you already ride and hope for faster sections, the guides can judge what is suitable for the group and the horses.

The experience is not ideal if you dislike heights, uneven ground, or the physical effort of staying balanced in a saddle. One rider described the ride as painful despite loving the scenery, which is a useful warning. Four hours on horseback can leave you sore, especially if you rarely ride.

The picnic stop under the trees

The included food is simple but well chosen for a half-day outdoors. You receive snacks, fruit, cookies, and water, with wine or soft drinks also available. Rider comments specifically praise a picnic of fruit and nuts under a tree, along with local wine.

This is not a substitute for lunch. If you need a larger meal, lunch is optional at 15 euros per person and includes drinks. That extra cost is reasonable if you are treating the outing as a longer day, but you should not assume the standard price covers a full meal.

The picnic gives the ride a welcome pause. You can rest the horses, take photographs, and enjoy the countryside without rushing from one sight to another. The food also helps explain the value of the outing: the price covers more than saddle time, with the guides, horse care, safety cap, vehicle, drinks, and snacks included.

The thermal baths near Përmet

After the ride, you can enjoy the thermal baths. They are about 20 minutes from town, and the pools offer a chance to relax while exploring the canyon area.

The baths are not listed as part of the standard included package, so confirm how your chosen booking handles this portion. The tour description presents them as something you can enjoy after the ride, and accommodation packages are also available for visitors who want to see more of Përmet.

This is a smart pairing. A horse ride through the hills can be tiring, while warm pools provide an easy way to finish the day. The thermal baths also make the outing more attractive if you are staying in Përmet for more than one night and want to combine nature, village culture, and local bathing traditions.

What the $96.79 price includes

At $96.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend four hours in southern Albania. I would judge the price by what is bundled into it rather than by the riding time alone.

Included are the horse, safety cap, snacks, fruit, cookies, water, wine or soft drinks, and air-conditioned transport. You also receive guiding through a small group, access to trails that would be difficult to follow independently, and the chance to ride among villages, church sites, hills, springs, and canyon scenery.

The value is strongest if you are new to the area or want a carefully organized outdoor activity. You avoid arranging horses, transport, route planning, and local guidance on your own. The price is less compelling if you already have a horse connection in Albania or only want a short, basic riding lesson.

Lunch costs an additional 15 euros per person. Accommodation is available through an upgraded package, which may make sense if you arrive late, want to stay overnight, or plan to use the ride as part of a wider visit to Përmet.

Timing, meeting point, and cancellation details

You meet at Funky Guest House & Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri, Përmet 6401, Albania. The activity returns to this same point. It is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and is near public transportation.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, but this is still an active horseback outing, so your comfort with riding and uneven trails matters more than simply being able to walk around a town.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The experience needs good weather, and if poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. A minimum number of participants is also required, with the same choice of another date or a refund if the departure is canceled.

Because the tour is often booked about 31 days ahead, I would reserve early if your Albania itinerary has little flexibility. That is especially useful if you need a certain date for accommodation in Përmet.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This outing suits you if you want to see rural southern Albania at a slower pace and are happy to let the guides shape the route. It is a good match for:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction
• Experienced riders who want hills, canyon views, and varied scenery
• Families with members who have different levels of riding experience
• Couples looking for an active half-day outing
• Visitors who enjoy old churches, stone villages, springs, and ruins
• People planning to pair riding with the thermal baths

It may not suit you if you want a completely smooth ride, a guaranteed fixed itinerary, or a full meal included in the price. It is also worth thinking twice if you are uncomfortable with trotting, cantering, or riding on mountain trails.

The strongest feature is the balance between adventure and care. The guides are praised for giving clear instructions and building confidence, while the horses are repeatedly described as friendly, healthy, and well treated. That combination matters more than flashy extras when you are trusting an animal on unfamiliar ground.

Final verdict: should you book it?

I would book this ride if you want a personal, scenic way to see the Përmet area and you are comfortable with a little physical challenge. The well-cared-for horses, small group, local guides, canyon route, church stop, and picnic make the $96.79 price easier to justify.

Before booking, tell the operator your riding experience and ask which route is planned for your date. If you are nervous, request a gentle pace. If you want the thermal baths or accommodation, confirm those arrangements separately.

Skip it if your idea of a perfect morning involves flat ground and no saddle soreness. For everyone else, this is a memorable way to connect the Vjosa region, the old village trails, and the hills around Përmet without spending the day inside a vehicle.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding experience begin?

It begins at Funky Guest House & Adventures on Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri in Përmet, Albania.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Funky Guest House & Adventures.

How long does the horse ride last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snacks, fruit, cookies, water, wine or soft drinks, a safety rider cap, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the standard price. An optional lunch is available for 15 euros per person, including drinks.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for beginners and experienced riders. The guides provide instructions and choose the trail based on the riders’ ability.

What sights might I see during the ride?

Possible sights include Lengarica Canyon, Saint Maria Church of Leuse, old villages, stone houses, churches, springs, valleys, hills, and ruins. The exact trail depends on the riders’ experience.

Can I visit the thermal baths after riding?

Yes. The thermal baths are about 20 minutes from Përmet and can be enjoyed after the trip.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.