CORSICA – Agriates Desert Horse Trail

The Agriates Desert is one of Corsica’s most surprising and untamed regions. Despite its name, it is not a true desert, but a vast, wild territory shaped by wind, sun, and the sea. Located in the north of the island, between mountains and the Mediterranean, the Agriates offer wide open spaces, rolling hills, fragrant scrubland, and some of the most unspoiled beaches in Corsica.

Exploring the Agriates on horseback is a rare and powerful experience. You ride along ancient shepherds’ tracks, through rocky paths and endless maquis, with the scent of immortelle and myrtle in the air. The landscape feels remote and timeless, opening suddenly onto breathtaking views of white sand and crystal-clear water.

Highlights

• Wild Corsica
• Cantering on the beach
• Land of sunshine and olive trees, full of the scents and colours of the maquis

• The ride as described, supervised by qualified professionals
• Full board accommodation, with wine during meals
• Transfers to and from Bastia airport at fixed times
• Transfers to and from Corté railway station if required

• Transport to Corsica
• Transfers from/to Bastia outside fixed times
• Accommodation and meals before and after the trail

Horses

Our riding base is also an equestrian school, which ensures that you have access to well-trained horses all year round.
These are mainly Corsican horses, which are robust and strong.
Their great reliability helps you to navigate even the most rugged terrain.

Saddles

We use ‘officer’ style saddles, which are similar in structure to English saddles but much more practical and comfortable, particularly when it comes to attaching accessories.

Saddlebags are available so you can carry your equipment for the day.

Recommended riding experience

This trail ride is suitable for riders who are comfortable riding at all three gaits outdoors, although given the terrain, the basic gait will remain walking.
We cover an average of thirty kilometres per day, which equates to approximately five hours in the saddle. Good general physical condition is therefore necessary. During difficult passages, you will be asked to dismount.

Supervision

This itinerary is led by qualified equestrian guides: an equestrian tourism guide (GTE) or an equestrian tourism leader (ATE). As the establishment is also a training centre, trainees may be required to supervise treks or stays independently or with a qualified supervisor. Based in Corsica all year round, our team has been riding in these landscapes for many years. They will help you discover the secrets of the Isle of Beauty in complete safety.

Support vehicle

A logistics vehicle joins us every evening and sometimes at lunchtime.
Luggage must be carefully planned to allow for all eventualities due to the weather, and is limited to 20kg per person.

Accommodation

We are equipped with three mobile homes, one with six places, one with four places, and two studios with two to four places. We have an extension with four to eight places for the summer.
This ride takes place in a particularly wild environment, but with the comfort of guesthouses (dormitories with two to four places) in mid-season. In July and August, we plan to camp for this ride. In all cases, the first and last nights are spent in mobile homes at the equestrian centre or in guesthouses in Corte.
The sanitary facilities are always shared in the lodgings and during the camps, a water point is always available for you to wash.
Please bring your own sleeping bag; mattresses are provided. 1- and 2-person tents are used for camping in summer.
Single rooms are not available. In order to best plan for sleeping arrangements, please let us know if you are travelling as a couple, with friends, with family, etc.

Meals

At lunchtime, we take our picnic out of our saddlebags.
In the evening, we enjoy cooked meals with our hosts in a Corsican atmosphere (cold meats, Corsican cheeses and local liqueurs).