HORSE RIDING
Faial from the Saddle.
There are many ways to discover Faial.
We believe horseback is one of the most memorable.
At PÁTIO, horses are much more than part of the experience — they are part of everyday life. Around 30 horses live together as a natural herd, surrounded by green meadows and with plenty of space to move, graze and socialise.
We believe that a good riding experience begins with the wellbeing of the horse. Our horses grow up naturally within the herd, with time to develop before beginning their life as trail horses at around five years of age. This unhurried approach helps them become calm, balanced and confident companions on the trail.
And when it is time to ride, the landscape becomes part of the experience.
From the saddle, Faial reveals itself slowly. Trails lead through open meadows and green forests, across volcanic landscapes and towards the island’s dramatic coastline. Around a corner, the Atlantic suddenly appears. Further along, Pico may rise across the water. And sometimes the best moments are simply the quiet ones — the sound of hooves on the trail, the ocean breeze and nothing else demanding your attention.
You don’t need to be an experienced rider to experience Faial this way. Some rides are designed for those getting into the saddle for the first time, while others take experienced riders further across the island, with longer trails and more time on horseback.
Take your time. Follow the trail. Experience Faial from the saddle.
NEW TO RIDING
Start Your Journey!
Lusitano Trail
An easy-going trail at walking pace, leading through Faial’s green meadows towards the dramatic north coast — the perfect introduction to exploring the island on horseback.
AT A GLANCE
Experience up to 2 hours · Includes briefing, basic training and approximately 1.5 hours of riding
Riding Level Beginner or Restarter · Easy trail · Walking gait only
Schedule Daily at 10:00 & 14:00
Location Cedros · Faial Island
Group Size 1–9 riders
Minimum Age 10 years · Riders under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult
Maximum Rider Weight 95 kg
Included Introduction to the horses and trail · Riding helmet · Insurance
Pony Experience
A gentle first introduction to the world of horses. Children spend time getting to know a friendly Shetland pony or Lusitano horse, learn a little about their new four-legged friend and enjoy a short guided riding experience.
AT A GLANCE
Experience 45 minutes · Introduction to horses & short guided riding experience
Suitable For Children up to 10 years old
Schedule Daily at 11:00
Location Cedros · Faial Island
Group Size 1–4 young riders
Supervision Adult supervision required
Included Riding helmet · Insurance
Riding Lesson
Whether you are taking your first steps in the saddle or simply want to improve your riding skills, our one-hour riding lesson gives you time to learn, practise and build confidence. Our experienced guides will be there to support you throughout the session, offering practical guidance and helping you develop your technique at your own pace.
AT A GLANCE
Experience 1-hour riding lesson
Suitable For Beginners · Restarters · Riders looking to improve their skills
Focus Riding basics · Technique · Balance · Confidence in the saddle
Guidance Individual support from our experienced horse guides
Location PÁTIO Ecolodge · Cedros · Faial Island
Included Riding helmet · Insurance
EXPERIENCED RIDERS
Go further!
Half Day Trail
A moderate three-hour trail through Faial’s north coast, riding in all gaits through deep forests and open landscapes, past an old whaling lookout and towards spectacular Atlantic views.
AT A GLANCE
Experience Approximately 3 hours of riding
Riding Level Experienced riders only · Moderate trail · Walk, trot & canter
Schedule Daily at 10:00 & 14:00
Location Cedros · Faial Island
Group Size 1–9 riders
Minimum Age 10 years · Riders under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult
Maximum Rider Weight 95 kg
Included Introduction to the trail & route · Riding helmet · Insurance
Full Day Trail
An exciting five-hour trail through the landscapes surrounding Cedros, riding through the mountains and along Faial’s north coast in all gaits, with a saddlebag picnic enjoyed along the way.
AT A GLANCE
Experience Approximately 5 hours of riding · Saddlebag picnic along the way
Riding Level Experienced riders only · Exciting trail · Walk, trot & canter
Schedule Daily at 08:45
Location Cedros · Faial Island
Group Size 1–9 riders
Minimum Age 10 years · Riders under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult
Maximum Rider Weight 95 kg
Included Introduction to the trail & route · Saddlebag picnic · Riding helmet · Insurance
Top Sites Trail
Discover another side of Faial from the saddle. Horse and rider are transported to one of our carefully selected locations across the island, opening up trails and landscapes beyond Cedros — from the volcanic scenery of Capelinhos and the Caldeira to the remote beauty of Fajã. Each ride offers a different way to experience some of Faial’s most remarkable places on horseback.
AT A GLANCE
Experience Approximately 5–7 hours · Full-day riding experience
Riding Level Experienced riders only · Walk, trot & canter
Destinations Selected locations across Faial · Capelinhos · Caldeira · Fajã
Starting Point Depends on the selected trail
Group Size 1–9 riders
Minimum Age 10 years · Riders under 14 must be accompanied by a paying adult
Maximum Rider Weight 95 kg
Included Transport of horse & rider from PÁTIO to the trail starting point · Introduction to the trail & route · Saddlebag picnic · Riding helmet · Insurance
MEET OUR EQUESTRIAN PARTNER
Diogo Silva Equestrian Adventure
Diogo
Born and raised in the Azores, Diogo knows Faial — and its trails — like few others. Horses are both his profession and his passion, and as the owner of Equestrian Adventure, he is at the heart of life around the stables.
From managing the horses and guiding team to shoeing the horses himself, Diogo brings hands-on experience and genuine dedication to their care. Whenever he can, you’ll find him where he feels most at home — in the saddle, guiding guests across Faial.
With years of experience and an intimate knowledge of the island, Diogo knows the trails and hidden corners that make riding on Faial so special.
Languages: Portuguese · English
Owner & Horse Guide · Azores 
Dianne
From the moment Dianne arrived on Faial, she fell in love with the island, its people and, of course, its horses. A passionate rider and experienced guide, she combines professionalism and extensive trail knowledge with a warm personality and a good sense of humour.
With an impressive knowledge of Faial’s riding routes, Dianne is our Long Trail specialist, confidently guiding guests across the island and making every kilometre part of the experience.
Languages: German · English
Horse Guide · Germany 
Born and raised in the Azores, Diogo has always felt at home around horses and in the landscapes of Faial. Passionate about what he does, he brings natural enthusiasm, local knowledge and a genuine love for the island to every ride.
He especially enjoys meeting people from around the world and sharing Faial with them from the saddle. Curious and always eager to learn, Diogo continues to develop his skills as both a rider and guide — bringing energy, care and a personal touch to every trail.
Languages: Portuguese · English
Horse Guide · AzoresDiogo III
Born and raised in the Azores, Diogo is one of the people who keeps every riding day running smoothly behind the scenes. Working closely with our horse guides, he makes sure that horses, riders and equipment are exactly where they need to be, when they need to be there.
From preparing the horses and riding equipment to transporting them safely across the island, his calm approach and experience are an essential part of the team. A skilled trailer driver with a genuine dedication to the horses, Diogo helps ensure that every trail starts safely, smoothly and right on time.
Languages: Portuguese · English
Stablehand · AzoresDiogo II
Horse riding at PÁTIO is all about the connection between rider, horse and landscape. Behind every ride is Diogo Silva and his experienced team of horse guides, who know our horses, the trails and the landscapes of Faial inside out.
Based here at PÁTIO, the team takes care of the riding experiences from the first introduction to the horses to the moment you head out onto the trail. Whether it is your first time in the saddle or you are an experienced rider ready to explore further, their approach is personal, relaxed and always centred around safety, the wellbeing of the horses and a genuine connection with the island. It is this combination of experienced guides, well-cared-for horses and an extraordinary natural setting that makes riding at PÁTIO such a special way to discover Faial.
Horse experiences are provided by Diogo Silva Equestrian Adventure Unipessoal Lda., with PÁTIO acting solely as an intermediary.
OUR RIDING EQUIPMENT
The Saddle
Our main trail saddle is the First Class Trekker by Prestige, an Italian saddlery brand known for quality and craftsmanship. Designed for long hours in the saddle, it provides excellent comfort, security and fit for both horse and rider.
Each saddle is equipped with a Prestige saddle bag, giving you space for personal belongings, as well as straps for securely carrying a jacket or coat during the ride.
The Snaffles
Different horses have different needs. Depending on the horse, its experience and individual requirements, Equestrian Adventure uses a selection of different snaffles.
The most commonly used are jumping curb and double-jointed snaffles, carefully selected to suit each individual horse.
The Riding Helmet
Safety always comes first. Wearing a riding helmet is required on all our horse experiences, and we provide a selection of helmets in different sizes to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
If you have your own riding helmet and prefer to use equipment you are already familiar with, you are welcome to bring it with you.
