High Country Horses
4.5 8 reviews
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10% off with promo code RANKERS
High Country Horses has been running out of Glenorchy since 1987 and the access they have is genuinely hard to believe. Over 100,000 acres of backcountry trails, the kind of terrain most people never see on foot let alone horseback. Use promo code RANKERS for 10% off, and that helps keep us going at Rankers too.
The multi-day rides are where this place really earns its reputation. Groups are kept small, sometimes just two or three people and a guide, which makes a real difference. One traveller described their three-day ride as some of the best days of their life, sitting at a hut in the evenings with the horses grazing out front and the mountains just there. That tracks with what most people say. The horses are well matched to riders, calm with beginners and responsive for those who want a canter.
My pick would be the longer rides if you have the time and budget. The one-hour options are decent enough for families or complete beginners, and guides are consistently good with kids. Just know that a couple of reviewers on shorter rides felt the terrain was flatter than expected, so it pays to ask what the route actually covers when you book. Spring and early summer is a sweet time to go, the lupins are out along the valleys and the weather tends to be more settled.
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Organisation |
High Country HorsesCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Glenorchy |
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Operating Season And Hours |
Day rides operate daily with specific departure times: 1h Mid Rivers Ride at 12:30 PM, 2.5h Rees River Trail at 9 AM and 2:30 PM, and 7h Mountain High, River Deep daily. The 1.5h Ride of the Rings also has daily departures but does not operate during winter months. Multi-day rides have new dates available for the 2025-2026 season. |
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Promo Code Save 10% |
Use discount code RANKERS with High Country Horses and save 10%. |
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Farm Experiences
Horse Trekking
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Reviews
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I actually don't know how to find the words.
We (me and a friend of mine) did the 3-day Closed Borders ride, and I think these 3 days really were some of the best of my life. There are no words to describe, no amount of money that can give this experience. It was golden!
First of al, the horse I got, Peso, she was most definitely one of the best horses I've ever ridden. She was so kind, honest, responsive and not scared to get wet or go for a swim. And she's a black beauty. Lets be honest 🥰 I will never forget about her.
I thought we would be with a big group. But the 3-dayride is normally with a max of 5 people. We were just with three people and 1 guide. That was actually really nice and personal!
We were very lucky to have 2 very sunny days and only the last was a bit rainy. Around this time (beginning of december) the lupins are in bloom and as you see that gives some stunning sights as well! The roads we took were so rough, beautifull, challenging, sometimes we needed to push through the bushes a bit and the horses did that so well. Walking tracks that our covered with water. Through forest, through big fields. Some amazing canters over these days. I don't think I will ever find a ride with so much beautifull scenery.
We stayed both nights at a hutt. They were so much better than expected and I really enjoyed the spare time I had there. Just sitting there in the sun with the horses in the grass, looking to the mountains and the horses. I did that for hours and I actually found so much peace inside of me that had been missing for quite a while. I really found myself in balance again and sheaded a tear. I was so insanely happy. I'm very gratefull for this moment and I am actually gonna get a tattoo based on this place and moment. Unforgettable.
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We didn't book a slot, but we managed to get one as a walk in customer when we arrived and they were friendly and very kind to our kids.
Toby is a great guide. He is good with the horses and with our kids, even is a great enthusiastic photographer! We were so happy with our experience here. Everything went smoothly, the horse riding was fun, peaceful and relaxing. The horses were calm and gentle with our kids. We love this place very much. Highly recommended.
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Good lunch provided, excellent trip, amzing scenery and happy well looked after horses.
Nice guide but a little impatient.
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I did a two hour trek with the stables in August 2008 and loved it.
The staff were friendly, the scenery was stunning and I was given lots of opportunity for cantering (I'm an experienced rider).
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Beautiful scenery but it is three hours of the same mountains.
Expensive for what it is. We expected more hilly terrain not just a riverbed to walk around in.
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I did the two hour ride with these guys and was pretty disappointed.
The horses were fine, and the scenery is beautiful (like everywhere in Glenorchy and Queenstown), and I have to say it was pretty unique that the horses go across rivers. But even as an experienced rider, they made me wear a helmet, which I found a little annoying, and additionally, the guide treated us as if she was babysitting - she repeatedly yelled back to me to keep my horse in line, even though my horse had only deviated enough for it's face not to be in the next horse's butt; barely at all. I wouldn't recommend this company for experienced riders as they seem to only cater to people who have no clue what they're doing, but for inexperienced riders I think this would be a decent experience.
We have strict safety guidelines that every Trekking Company in New Zealand has to follow by LAW THEY HAVE TO BE WORN! If katie had wanted to do more fast work or not be in a line of horses, she may have had a better ride on other treks that we offer i.e Paradise View (3 hour) Full Day or Exclusive which are advertised intermediadte to experienced riders. Since Katie was NOT the only rider out there our guides need to keep everyone safe. Sorry it wasn't the experience you were expecting.
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I actually don't know how to find the words.
We (me and a friend of mine) did the 3-day Closed Borders ride, and I think these 3 days really were some of the best of my life. There are no words to describe, no amount of money that can give this experience. It was golden!
First of al, the horse I got, Peso, she was most definitely one of the best horses I've ever ridden. She was so kind, honest, responsive and not scared to get wet or go for a swim. And she's a black beauty. Lets be honest 🥰 I will never forget about her.
I thought we would be with a big group. But the 3-dayride is normally with a max of 5 people. We were just with three people and 1 guide. That was actually really nice and personal!
We were very lucky to have 2 very sunny days and only the last was a bit rainy. Around this time (beginning of december) the lupins are in bloom and as you see that gives some stunning sights as well! The roads we took were so rough, beautifull, challenging, sometimes we needed to push through the bushes a bit and the horses did that so well. Walking tracks that our covered with water. Through forest, through big fields. Some amazing canters over these days. I don't think I will ever find a ride with so much beautifull scenery.
We stayed both nights at a hutt. They were so much better than expected and I really enjoyed the spare time I had there. Just sitting there in the sun with the horses in the grass, looking to the mountains and the horses. I did that for hours and I actually found so much peace inside of me that had been missing for quite a while. I really found myself in balance again and sheaded a tear. I was so insanely happy. I'm very gratefull for this moment and I am actually gonna get a tattoo based on this place and moment. Unforgettable.
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We didn't book a slot, but we managed to get one as a walk in customer when we arrived and they were friendly and very kind to our kids.
Toby is a great guide. He is good with the horses and with our kids, even is a great enthusiastic photographer! We were so happy with our experience here. Everything went smoothly, the horse riding was fun, peaceful and relaxing. The horses were calm and gentle with our kids. We love this place very much. Highly recommended.
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Beautiful scenery but it is three hours of the same mountains.
Expensive for what it is. We expected more hilly terrain not just a riverbed to walk around in.
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Good lunch provided, excellent trip, amzing scenery and happy well looked after horses.
Nice guide but a little impatient.
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I did the two hour ride with these guys and was pretty disappointed.
The horses were fine, and the scenery is beautiful (like everywhere in Glenorchy and Queenstown), and I have to say it was pretty unique that the horses go across rivers. But even as an experienced rider, they made me wear a helmet, which I found a little annoying, and additionally, the guide treated us as if she was babysitting - she repeatedly yelled back to me to keep my horse in line, even though my horse had only deviated enough for it's face not to be in the next horse's butt; barely at all. I wouldn't recommend this company for experienced riders as they seem to only cater to people who have no clue what they're doing, but for inexperienced riders I think this would be a decent experience.
We have strict safety guidelines that every Trekking Company in New Zealand has to follow by LAW THEY HAVE TO BE WORN! If katie had wanted to do more fast work or not be in a line of horses, she may have had a better ride on other treks that we offer i.e Paradise View (3 hour) Full Day or Exclusive which are advertised intermediadte to experienced riders. Since Katie was NOT the only rider out there our guides need to keep everyone safe. Sorry it wasn't the experience you were expecting.
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I did a two hour trek with the stables in August 2008 and loved it.
The staff were friendly, the scenery was stunning and I was given lots of opportunity for cantering (I'm an experienced rider).
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We had a fantastic time in New Zealand.
However, our experience with High Country Horses was disappointing. We were on time, they kept us waiting one hour. We expected to see Lord of the Rings locations. We rode through none. A location was pointed out in the distance. The ride was muddy and boring - no "high country". There was nothing of interest to see - perhaps there are more interesting rides in warmer months. Some of our horses were naughty and difficult. On a positive note, the lady who appeared to own the business seemed very nice. However, we are very sorry to have wasted such a lot of money on an extremely disappointing activity.