There are reportedly 3 million horse riders in the UK, but despite this, many struggle to find safe bridleways for hacking. Whether you’re after a gentle hack or a long-distance challenge, these bridleways promise some of the best off-road horse riding experiences in the UK.
Best UK bridleways for horse riding
The Pennine Bridleway, Yorkshire Dales
Follow ancient drove roads, packhorse routes, and modern bridleways through the heather moorland and dramatic limestone landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales. This 250‑mile route runs from Derbyshire to Cumbria parallel to the Pennine Way, and is the UK’s only National Trail designed specifically for horse riders, with safe spots to cross roads and gates instead of stiles. Walkers and cyclists are also welcome. Walkers: check out our guide to the best walks on the Pennine Way.
Did you know? You can also do llama trekking on the Pennine Bridleway.
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The South Downs Way, Sussex
This 100‑mile trail from Winchester to Eastbourne is ideal for relaxed hacks. Enjoy rolling hills, chalk ridges and wildflower meadows. Together with the Pennine Bridleway, the South Downs Way (Britain's newest national park) is one of only two National Trails in the UK officially designated for horse riding. For walkers, check out our list of the best walks in the South Downs National Park.
Gower Peninsula Bridleways, Wales
Explore coastal bridleways, beaches, and cliffs across the Gower Peninsula in southwest Wales. Horse riding is permitted on certain beaches (including Rhossili Bay) between October and April, at certain times of day – usually low tide.
Exmoor National Park Bridleways, Somerset & Devon
With over 300 miles of bridleways, Exmoor National Park is perfect for exploring moorland, ancient woodland and valleys of Somerset and Devon. With a variety of landscapes and terrain, you’ll travel through open moorlands, farmland fields, country lanes and woodland trails. Keep an eye out for livestock, not least the Exmoor ponies!
Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
The mature pine forests and open heathland of Cannock Chase in Staffordshire have a network of bridleways and forest tracks to explore with your horse. It’s a popular spot though, so keep your wits about you and avoid riding in busier areas of the woodland, particularly around the visitor centre area.
Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast in Antrim is known for its spectacular, rugged coastal scenery – and horses are welcome on the beaches between 1 May and 30 September (outside the hours of 11am and 7pm).
The Ridgeway, Oxfordshire
Described as Britain’s oldest road, The Ridgeway in Oxfordshire follows a route that has supposedly been used since prehistoric times. Enjoy uninterrupted views of rolling chalkland and ancient features like barrows, Iron Age forts and white horses cut into the chalk. Cyclists and horse riders are welcome along much of The Ridgeway.
Tweed Valley Forest Park, Scotland
Just an hour south of Edinburgh, Tweed Valley Forest Park is made up a collection of seven forests managed by Forestry and Land Scotland – one of which is the well-known Glentress Forest, popular with mountain bikers as it's one of the best mountain bike centres in the UK. Cardrona is a large forest on the south side of the park that’s particularly good for gentle cross-country horse rides with views up the valley.
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Top image: Free roaming pony grazing on the cliffs and coastal land surrounding Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula (credit: Getty Images)
