A countryside horseback ride near Siena feels like a reset button. This one pairs the Via Francigena with the quiet of Montagnola Senese Park and a stop at the Eremo di San Leonardo al Lago, so you get motion, scenery, and a calm, spiritual break in about 1.5 hours. I especially like how the pacing stays relaxed and beginner-friendly, and I like that the staff focus on safety with an expert guide and helmets.

One thing to plan for: you’ll be riding outdoors for roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes, so you need closed-toe footwear and you should skip it if you’re pregnant or outside the weight/age limits.

Quick hits

• Small group up to 10 people keeps the experience calm and easier to manage on horseback.
• Helmets included and an equestrian guide means you’ll get real guidance before you start.
• Via Francigena routes through woods and fields give you variety instead of one long, repetitive stretch.
• Hermitage stop at Eremo di San Leonardo al Lago adds a spiritual pause to the ride.
• More than 10 horses available helps large groups run smoothly.
• English and Italian guide support makes it easier to understand instructions and feel confident.

Horseback on the Via Francigena: why this route feels special

Siena is packed with history, stone streets, and that classic Tuscan energy. This tour gives you a different angle on the area: instead of staying inside town, you trade cobblestones for trails that follow the Via Francigena. You’re still in Tuscany, still close to Siena, but you’re moving at an animal’s pace through countryside that looks like it belongs on a postcard.

What I like most is the blend of experiences in a short window. You get the thrill of riding, but it’s not just about sitting on a horse and looking at trees. The route is designed to change scenery as you go—woods, hills, and stretches of golden fields—so your eyes don’t get bored. And then you add the hermitage stop, which shifts the mood in a good way. It’s a rare mix of outdoors + meaning, without turning into an all-day hike.

The vibe from the on-site operation also comes through clearly: the place is run by CENTRO IPPICO LA BALZANA, and the overall tone is friendly and welcoming. In other words, you’re not just a ticket number. You’re a rider who needs guidance.

Getting there and finding the stables at Strada del Pian del Lago, 6

Logistics are the unglamorous part of any horseback trip, and they matter. The meeting point is Strada del Pian del Lago, 6, about 15 minutes from the center of Siena. It’s not in the busy core of town, so plan your timing like you would for a half-day countryside outing, not a quick activity.

When you arrive, look for a shed that functions as a covered riding arena. That’s your landmark. You’ll then follow the road uphill lined with trees. The setup is simple, but it helps to show up early enough to avoid that last-minute stress where everyone’s trying to match boots to straps.

Arrive 10 minutes before your selected time. You’ll appreciate this because there’s ground instruction first, then mounting, then getting familiar with the horses. If you’re late, you’ll lose part of that calm warm-up.

The pre-ride briefing: how they set you up to feel safe

This is not a “good luck out there” situation. The staff welcomes you at the stables, and once the group gathers, there’s an introduction on the ground. You’ll get an explanation of riding basics before anyone heads out. That matters even if you’ve ridden before—because it sets expectations for how your horse will respond on these trails.

There’s also a real moment of adjustment before you ride. You get a chance to familiarize yourself with the animals. That means less guesswork for you and fewer surprises once you’re moving. And yes, the tour includes helmets, which is exactly the kind of practical detail that makes me feel better about choosing a horseback experience.

The guide speaks English and Italian, which is useful if you want to ask straightforward questions like how to hold the reins, what to do at a stop, or how to behave around other riders.

Mounting and riding basics: what happens before the trail time

Once everyone is ready, the group leaves the stables for the ride. The tour is structured so you don’t jump immediately into something intense. You’ll start with instruction, mounting, and a short familiarization period—then you move into the more scenic part of the experience.

Expect the ride to feel relaxing rather than adrenaline-focused. The goal here is countryside riding with a guided flow, not a technical schooling session. Since the tour is suitable for riders of all levels—from beginners to experienced—this approach makes sense: beginners need confidence, and experienced riders still want a smooth, well-managed route.

One more practical point: it’s a small group, limited to 10 participants, and the stable has more than 10 horses. That’s a good sign for how the ride is managed. It suggests you won’t be stuck waiting forever while horses and riders get sorted.

Montagnola Senese Park: the kind of countryside you’ll remember

The bulk of the riding takes place in Montagnola Senese Park along the Via Francigena. This is where the tour earns its “wow” factor, because the route isn’t just one-note flat riding. Trails wind through lush woods, green hills, and golden fields. The scenery shifts often enough to keep the ride interesting without demanding constant attention from you.

For a visitor, this is a big deal. Siena can make you forget how wide open the countryside is. When you ride out here, you see the geography that shapes the region: rolling terrain, tree cover, and that Tuscan patchwork that looks almost too perfect from a distance.

It’s also a mental reset. Even if you’re not the type who travels for quiet, being on horseback naturally slows your mind down. You’re not threading crowds or hunting for parking. You’re following a guide, moving steadily through the park.

If you get motion-sensitive, you’ll still likely be fine, because the pace is described as relaxing and guided. Still, it’s worth being honest with yourself: horseback riding isn’t the same as walking, and you’ll be on the move for about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Stop at Eremo di San Leonardo al Lago: a pause with meaning

The route passes near the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago, a place described as steeped in sacredness and spirituality. In practical terms, you’ll get a moment away from the pure riding focus. You’re not just passing by scenery at speed—you’re given time to experience what makes this spot special.

That spiritual atmosphere is part of what makes this tour different from a standard “ride through the hills” option. After time in nature, you reach a site that changes the feel of the walk. It’s quiet, it’s reflective, and it gives your afternoon a stronger story than just beautiful views.

If you enjoy travel moments that mix landscapes with local feeling—religious sites, pilgrim routes, and the ways people used to move through the land—this stop hits that theme directly. And since you’re already on the Via Francigena line of travel, the hermitage feels like a natural waypoint rather than an add-on.

Timing that actually works: 1.5 hours total with a real ride segment

The total experience runs about 1.5 hours. The riding itself is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, with additional time for arrival, ground instruction, mounting, and the walking portions of the route.

This is the sweet spot for a visitor. It’s long enough to feel like you left the city, but short enough that you can still plan dinner afterward without a whole day disappearing.

If you’re juggling Siena sightseeing, you’ll likely like the structure. You can do a morning or afternoon activity in town, then come out here for a focused block of countryside time, then return to the meeting point.

At the end, you return back to Strada del Pian del Lago, 6.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This horseback tour is built for a wide range of riders. It’s described as suitable for riders of all levels, from beginners to experienced riders. That’s exactly what I’d want for a first horseback experience in Italy: instruction first, an expert guide, and time to get comfortable before you hit the trail.

It’s also a good option for groups because the operation can handle larger groups together thanks to having 10+ horses available.

But there are clear “don’ts,” and you should take them seriously:

• Not suitable for pregnant women
• Not suitable for people over 220 lbs / 100 kg
• Not suitable for people over 75 years

If any of those apply, don’t plan around finding a workaround. Choose a different kind of Via Francigena experience instead, like a walk or a viewpoint stop.

Price and value: is $65.03 worth it for Siena horseback time?

At $65.03 per person, you’re paying for more than just the ride. You’re paying for:

• an expert equestrian guide (speaking English and Italian),
• helmet inclusion for safety,
• and access to a guided countryside route on horseback.

For Siena, this price feels reasonable because you’re not simply renting a horse and figuring it out. You’re getting structure: training on the ground, horse familiarization, and a planned route that connects the Via Francigena with the Eremo di San Leonardo al Lago area.

Also, the time commitment is short. A 1.5-hour tour means you’re not spending a half-day transporting across Tuscany. You’re close enough to Siena to make it easy while still getting that countryside experience. For many visitors, that blend is where the value sits.

One cost-related detail to remember: this doesn’t include food or drinks, and it doesn’t include pick-up and return to the hotel. If you’re hungry, plan to eat before or after, and budget time to reach the stable on your own.

What to wear: small choices that make or break the ride

The tour is clear about what not to bring:

• No sandals or flip-flops
• No skirts

Do bring:

• comfortable shoes
• comfortable clothes

This is the part that sounds boring until you’re standing in the stable yard trying to figure out how to keep your feet secure. Closed-toe shoes matter for safety and comfort. Comfortable clothes matter because you’ll be moving, sitting, and adjusting during mounting and riding.

If you’re wearing anything that restricts movement, you might find it annoying once you’re on horseback. Keep it simple: clothing that lets you ride without fuss.

The small-group feel: up to 10 riders, not a parade

With a group limited to 10 participants, the ride tends to feel manageable. That matters because horseback travel works best when everyone can follow instructions easily, especially at the start when mounting and basics happen.

The fact that the stable has more than 10 horses also points to a smooth operation. If you’ve ever joined an activity where everyone waits while the organizer scrambles for gear, you know how that can ruin a good morning. Here, the setup suggests they can match horses to riders with less delay.

You’ll also likely feel more supported. When there are fewer people, questions are easier and instructions can land better.

The ending: back to Siena’s countryside calm

When you return to the meeting point, you’re done—not rushed, not stranded. The tour ends right where it started at Strada del Pian del Lago, 6.

And that’s how I like horseback experiences to work. You’re not left negotiating your way out of a remote spot. You get your countryside moment, a meaningful waypoint at the hermitage area, and then you’re back to plan your next stop in Siena.

Given the overall 5-out-of-5 feedback and the repeated themes of beautiful scenery and friendly staff, this sounds like the kind of tour where you leave with two wins: you saw a lot, and you felt cared for.

Should you book this Siena horseback tour?

Book it if you want a short, guided horseback experience near Siena that follows the Via Francigena, with scenery that changes as you ride and a memorable stop at the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Lago area. It’s also a strong choice if you like having an expert guide who explains basics and keeps the group moving at a comfortable pace.

Skip it if you’re pregnant, exceed 100 kg / 220 lbs, or are over 75, or if you’re not up for a ride segment lasting about 1 hour and 10 minutes on horseback. And if you need hotel pick-up, you’ll want to plan your own transport since it’s not included.

If your goal is to trade Siena crowds for guided countryside time, and you’re comfortable following instructions on horseback, this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the horseback tour?

The total experience is about 1.5 hours, with the horseback ride taking approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Strada del Pian del Lago, 6.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive about 10 minutes before your selected time at the meeting point.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The ride is suitable for riders of all levels, including beginners.

What language is the guide?

The guide speaks English and Italian.

Are helmets included?

Yes. Helmets are included.

What should I wear?

Bring comfortable clothes and comfortable shoes. Sandals or flip-flops and skirts are not allowed.

Is food or hotel pick-up included?

No. Food or drinks and pick-up/return to your hotel are not included.

Is it free to cancel?

The policy allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.