Few things beat horses in Albania.

This half-day ride in Permet gives you a practical outdoor day, with small groups and well-cared horses that feel calm even when you are brand new. You also get a real slice of the area, from village lanes and old churches to the dramatic Lengarica Canyon, with a break for fruit, snacks, and local wine. One consideration: you do need a weather window and a bit of comfort around mountain terrain, because it is not a short, flat stroll.

You meet at Funky Guest House & Adventures in Përmet, then head out in an air-conditioned vehicle before you saddle up for a trail around Fir of Hotova National Park and the Vjosa National Park area, on both sides of the river. The most popular route follows an old path through the Lengarica Canyon, with stops that include Saint Maria Church of Leuse, plus views that make the ride feel bigger than the time on the saddle. Afterward, you can also swing by the hot springs and thermal baths about 20 minutes from town if your legs need a reset.

If you are coming from anywhere in Albania or Europe, the format is easy to plug into your trip: English is offered, mobile tickets are used, and the group stays small enough that your guide can adjust the pace. The trip is rated as a strong option for beginners, but it still feels like a mountain adventure, so dress and prepare like you are going outdoors for real.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Small group energy: capped at up to 7 riders, so you are not stuck riding in a crowd
• Lengarica Canyon route: a classic old trail with big views and lots of photo opportunities
• Saint Maria Church of Leuse: a meaningful stop that breaks up the ride naturally
• Different gaits on horseback: confidence-based riding that can include trotting and cantering
• Included food and local wine: fruit, snacks, water, cookies, and wine or soft drinks
• Thermal baths after the ride: easy follow-up if you want to relax in the hot pools

Why Permet riding feels different than a typical tour

Permet is one of those places where the scenery has a hands-on, lived-in feel. You do not just look at it, you move through it. This horse trek takes you into the Permet region around Vjosa National Park, described as part of the last wild river in Europe, and that matters because the terrain and river valleys are what shape the ride.

What I like most is how the day is built around the practical stuff that makes horseback trips work well. You are given a safety rider cap, you ride with small numbers, and your guide chooses the route based on riders’ experience. That decision sounds simple, but it is the difference between a day that feels empowering and one that feels stressful.

Another plus is the vibe around the horses. Multiple riders focused on the same theme: horses are well cared for, behave well, and seem strong and healthy. One standout detail is that the horses can roam freely when they are not working, which usually means they are not treated like mechanical props.

The half-day flow: how your time gets used

The experience is about 4 hours total, including time to get from the meeting point to the start area and to settle you into the day. It is designed as a half-day, which is smart if you want one big outdoor moment without losing your entire day to transport.

You start at Funky Guest House & Adventures on Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri in Përmet. Then you ride by air-conditioned vehicle to the area for your trek. Once you are mounted, the pace becomes the main schedule driver, not a tight bus timetable.

Instead of a set itinerary that ignores reality, the ride is adjusted based on rider confidence. That is especially important for beginners, because you want the ride to progress at a speed that builds trust. If you are more experienced, you still get a real countryside trail. The goal is not just walking in a straight line, it is exploring the area in a way that feels like you are part of the landscape.

Hotova and Vjosa: what you are actually riding through

This trip is tied to Fir of Hotova National Park and Vjosa National Park terrain. Even if you have never heard those names before, you will feel it in the trail. The ride crosses countryside that includes hills, valleys, old ruins, stone bridges, and canyon views. You are also moving through a living patchwork of villages.

In the Permet area, villages like Benja, Ogdunani, Leuse, and Badlonje are part of what gives the day its texture. You are not only seeing buildings, you are seeing stone houses, cobblestone lanes, and cold-water springs that point to how people used to and still live in these valleys. If you like “small details,” this kind of ride often beats a fast bus stop.

And because the route is on both sides of the Vjosa river, you get that sense of movement across the valley, not just one view repeated in a loop.

Lengarica Canyon and the old village trail

The most popular route is described as running alongside the Lengarica Canyon. This old trail used to connect villages in the area during ancient times, which helps explain why it still feels like a guided walk through meaningful places instead of a modern attraction circuit.

What you should expect here is variety. As you move along the canyon-adjacent route, your views keep changing: you get open hills, canyon angles, and spots where you can see beyond the village line. You may also see shepherd activity, including sheep herds and goats, because this is real countryside where animals are part of the landscape.

One small caution about this portion of the ride: canyon-adjacent trails can feel more exposed and uneven than easy flat ground. That does not mean it is technical, but it does mean you should stay present, sit balanced, and listen when the guide adjusts your riding position.

Stop 1: Saint Maria Church of Leuse

Your first stop is Saint Maria Church of Leuse. This is one of the most “culture with a reason” moments in the day. You are already moving through valley paths, so the church stop feels like part of the trail, not a sudden side trip.

The church fits with what this region is known for: old churches and paintings, along with stone-built village architecture. Even if you only spend a short break here, you get a pause from the riding rhythm and a chance to look at the area in a calmer way.

It is also a useful reset for your body. After time on horseback, standing or stepping around for a few minutes can make the second half of your trek feel easier.

Break time: snacks, fruit, cookies, and local wine

The ride includes a snack break built into the trail. You will be served fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks. This is not an afterthought, and it is not just “something to hold you over.” It is the kind of break that helps you enjoy the scenery instead of rushing through it.

One review highlight that really makes this feel like value is the idea of a relaxed picnic style stop under a tree. Even if your specific stop place varies with the route and weather, the concept stays the same. You are out there, you get fuel, and you take a moment before heading back into the riding.

If you are the kind of traveler who always wonders what local wine tastes like outside a restaurant, this is one of the better formats: you drink it while still in the countryside that makes it make sense.

Horses and rider support: what beginners should know

This trip is frequently praised as beginner-friendly, and that makes sense when your guide adjusts the trail based on your riding experience. You are not expected to already be competent with controls.

What helps beginners most is clear instruction. Names that come up in the guide feedback include Avi and Lilly, with riders also mentioning Avenir in reference to the experience. You should expect the guide to set you up with riding confidence, and to give hands-on coaching that is easy to follow once you are mounted.

You should also know that the trip is not a casual stroll for everyone. Some riders described moving through different gaits, including trotting and cantering, and one rider mentioned galloping toward the end. That does not mean the entire ride is full-speed fun. It does mean the day has the potential for a real “this is why I booked horseback riding” moment.

If you have a nervous stomach, tell your guide right at the start. The whole route choice is meant to match rider comfort.

Pace and group size: where the value really shows

The day works as a small-group adventure. The operator states a maximum of 7 travelers for the activity, and the broader framing emphasizes capped numbers around 10. Either way, you should expect a group that is small enough for more personal attention.

That matters for two reasons. First, it keeps the horses and riders manageable on narrower paths and village roads. Second, it means your guide can spend time adjusting your instructions without losing the group.

Also, since this is a half-day, you do not need to “save energy for a full day.” You can show up with normal hiking stamina and still enjoy the ride.

Price and value: what $96.79 buys you

At about $96.79 per person for roughly 4 hours, this is not the cheapest activity in Albania, but it is also not overpriced for what you get. The value comes from a bundle of practical inclusions: snacks, fruits, water, cookies, wine or soft drinks, a safety rider cap, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Add in the small group format and the quality emphasis on horse care, and the price starts to make sense as an experience, not just “rent a horse and leave.” Lunch is optional at 15 euro per person and includes drinks, so you can keep the core cost stable and decide later if you want a longer meal.

If you are comparing to full-day horse tours or tours that only include a short ride, this half-day format can be a sweet spot, especially if you plan to pair it with another Permet activity.

Logistics that help you enjoy it more

This one is built for ease. You get a mobile ticket and English is offered. The meeting point is right in Përmet at Funky Guest House & Adventures. You are also told it is near public transportation, which can help if you are not driving.

What you should plan around most is weather. The activity requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. That means you should not schedule this as the single guaranteed outdoor highlight if you have a tight itinerary and no buffer.

For clothing, the data does not list specifics, so use common sense for horseback riding in a canyon valley: wear shoes with grip, and bring something you can layer for sun and shade. If you tend to get cold in the evening, plan for a cooler air shift in valley regions.

Thermal baths after the ride: the perfect cool-down

After the horseback trek, you can enjoy the thermal baths about 20 minutes from town. This part is described as a straightforward way to relax in the pools and explore the canyon area around the baths.

This is a smart pairing because horseback riding often leaves your legs tired in a very specific way. A soak helps you recover, and it also gives you something to do immediately after the “main event” without needing another full transfer.

Who should book this horse trek in Permet

I think this is a strong match if you want:

• A small-group outdoor day with serious scenery time
• A beginner-friendly introduction to horseback riding
• Included snacks and a fun stop that breaks the ride into sections
• A route that mixes nature, villages, and at least one culture stop

It might be less ideal if:

• You need an activity that works in any weather without changes
• You dislike uneven trails or do not like the idea of riding through valley and canyon terrain
• You expect a purely leisurely walk the whole time, since the ride can progress into faster gaits

Should you book Funky Adventures for the Vjosa and Lengarica Canyon ride?

Yes, if you value small-group attention, cared-for horses, and a route that feels like real countryside exploration rather than a quick photo stop. The strongest selling points for me are the pairing of good guidance with a rider-adjusted trail, plus the included break that makes the day feel complete.

If you are in Permet with even half a day to spare, this ride is one of the better ways to see the region without it feeling rushed. And if you time it right, you can end with thermal baths for an easy recovery plan.

FAQ

How long is the horse riding experience in Përmet?

It is approximately 4 hours.

How much does it cost per person?

The price is $96.79 per person.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Funky Guest House & Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri, Përmet, Permet 6401, Albania.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included.

What is included during the ride?

Snacks, fruits, cookies, water, wine or soft drinks, a safety rider cap, and the air-conditioned vehicle are included.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. There is an optional lunch for 15 euro per person, including drinks.

What group size should I expect?

The activity has a maximum of 7 travelers, and it is described as a small-group experience.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What should I know about weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is insurance included?

No, insurance is not included.