Highland Wilderness. But before riders
head off for serenity, the team stages a
pre-ride mini-lesson so new riders feel
comfortable and have some idea of how
to handle the horse before setting out.
As well, an excellent range of horses
can match all skill levels. This one-hour
horseback tour runs on Highland’s
wilderness property outside Maynooth,
and includes Crown-land trails. The two-
hour ride heads skirts a lake, where the
horses can have a drink.
If you want a longer ride, Highland
offers three hours, an entire morning
or afternoon of trail riding with the
undivided attention of a guide. It’s perfect
for those who want to ride deeper
into the wilderness without having the
inevitable stiffness of an all-day ride.
Highland provides a pommel bag for
your camera on this trip.
The guided full-day tour lasts between
five and six hours, depending on what
riders want, and can handle. Bring your
own lunch and stow it in the saddlebags
provided, for a peaceful mid-day break
on the trail! The journey goes through
the wilderness near Algonquin Park and
allows true trail-riding freedom.
rATeS: $40 one-hour trail ride; $70
two-hour; $90 three-hour, $175 full day
(add GST for each)
The award-winning Highland
"This guy, Curly, is a true cowboy. One of the last real
Wilderness Tours also runs wilderness
men. He's untamed. Next to him, we're trained ponies.
ism
excursions in spring and fall. These
UR
o
weekend or two-day tours offer Ontario’s
It'll do us good to be in his world for awhile."
R
y t
a
G
wilderness without the effort of hiking
Billy Crystal as mitch in City Slickers movie
al
or canoeing – the horses do all the work
t
o: c
while you enjoy the scenery. It includes
p
ho
home-cooked meals, comfortable base
camp accommodations, guides and gear.
“We have always known that we live HIGHLAND WILDERNESS TOURS Just bring your clothes, sleeping bag and
in God’s Country and have dreamed of Hosts: Matt and Penny Nicol pillow. Minimum of four riders required.
sharing the beauty of our property with Maynooth, ON RATES: $400 plus GST per person. “Old
other people,” says Lynn Cronk. “We have Phone: 613-338-2330 or toll free Salty’s Weekend” Sept. 4-6 is for adults
opened it up to the public through trail 1-866-rYD-wILD who want to have fun chasing a few
riding year round and other activities E-mail: info@ridethewilderness.com cows. It includes a team-penning event.
such as sleigh rides in the winter.” web: www.ridethewilderness.com/
For safety’s sake, riders must be age 10 horsebackrates.htm RAWHIDE – ADVENTURES
or older to ride a horse alone on a trail “Horseback riding on the trails near Shelburne, ON
ride, and no matter what age, a rider’s Algonquin Park is a serene experience. Phone: 519-925-0152
competency will be decided by Eastern Getting close to what is natural – with E-mail: service@rawhide-adventures.
Cowboy. There’s a maximum of six riders just you, your mount, and the muffled on.ca
per guide and a minimum of two. sounds of the forest around you. It’s so web: www.rawhide-adventures.on.ca
rATeS: $30 per hour, $60 for two peaceful, that the longer you ride, the This dude ranch is west of Barrie,
hours, $85 for three hours. And they rent further away your “real” life seems.” Ont. and the longer drive means you’ll
cottages too. That’s the view from Penny Nicol, half probably want to stay over in Rawhide’s
the team of Matt and Penny, who run variety of accommodations. A saloon
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca OTTAWA magazine summer/fall 2009 27
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