Exmoor is a great place to come and ride and what better way to explore the 267 square miles of National Park than from the back of a horse. Within the National Park boundaries are some 400 miles (600kms) of bridleways. The National Park Authority has a special responsibility to ensure that all bridleways within its boundary are open and useable and that every path is signed where it leaves or joins a public highway. The more popular bridleways are waymarked using the national colour code of blue.
Many riders are now bringing their own horses on holiday with them and some farms and riding stables can provide suitable accommodation for both horse and rider. Visitors can then explore at leisure the variety of scenery that Exmoor offers, from open heather moorland to the steeply wooded valleys.
To help you plan your routes it is wise to buy the OS Explorer Map OL9 which covers the whole of Exmoor and shows all the bridleways in great detail.
Horses and ponies can of course be readily hired, by the hour or longer, from one of the many riding schools or trekking centres. Some centres arrange special picnic or pub day rides, or week-long holidays which are particularly suitable for children. Most centres offer some kind of tuition, this can vary from very basic to more advanced lessons depending on the rider's needs and ability. All breeds and sizes of horse and pony are normally available to cater for every type of rider from the beginner to the more accomplished rider. Whether you just want a quiet hack through woodlands hoping for a glimpse of the wild deer, or an exhilarating canter over the heather-clad open moorland with far reaching views to Wales or Dartmoor, the choice is yours. You can be certain of one thing, Exmoor is a special place for riding.