Beach Rides & Sand Dune Trails
Ride along the beautiful Tullan Strand, part of Ireland’s spectacular Wild Atlantic Way, or enjoy a leisurely ride through the sand dunes with breathtaking views across the Atlantic Ocean.
Whether you’re looking for the thrill of riding on the beach or a more relaxed experience through the dunes, we have rides and trails to suit a range of riding abilities.
Our beach rides and sand dune trails operate throughout the year and are available for both regular riders and visitors to the area.
Before booking, please check the rider level and experience requirements for each option below. You can then choose the beach ride or dune trail that best matches your riding ability and experience.
Our Ride Levels
Beginner Sand Dune Trails
Beginner riders start with an instructional assessment in the arena before heading out onto the Sand Dune Trail. The ride does not go down onto the beach, but offers spectacular coastal and mountain views.
You don’t need extensive riding experience, but you should have ridden a horse before and be comfortable in the saddle. Please check our Rider Ability Levels before booking to make sure this experience is suitable for you.
Novice Sand Dune Trails
Novice rides head deep into the beautiful sand dunes, with long stretches of trotting and the opportunity for a short canter where riders have been assessed as being ready for this level.
Riders should have previous riding experience and be comfortable rising (posting) to the trot. You don’t need to be an advanced rider, but you should be confident and in control at walk and trot.
Please check our Rider Ability Levels before booking to make sure this experience is suitable for you.
Beach Rides
These rides are for confident, regularly riding clients who are comfortable riding independently at faster paces.
Intermediate rides include long stretches of trotting and cantering along Tullan Strand before returning through the sand dunes. Riders must be able to canter independently without holding on to the saddle or neck strap.
Advanced rides offer plenty of fast canters along the beach before heading back through the sand dunes and climbing high for spectacular views across the Erne Estuary. These rides are more physically demanding, and riders should be fit, capable and riding regularly if they wish to take part in the faster canters and gallops on the beach.
Please check our Rider Ability Levels before booking to make sure you choose the experience that best matches your riding ability.
Booking Conditions
Booking Conditions
Rider Weight
Our upper weight limit is 220lbs, 16½ stone or 105kg.
For safety and horse welfare reasons we are unable to accept riders over this weight.
Age Restrictions
Please observe our age requirements for riding out on the beach or dune trails. These are clearly stated on the ride description. On site rides are available for younger children.
How to make a booking
Advance booking is required which can be made online, phone or email. Rides are available to book online up to 24 hours before the ride time, if you cannot find a time, please give us a call and we will do our best to accommodate you. Do not travel to the centre without a booking.
Before booking, please read our full terms and conditions.
What to Wear
Riding helmets and boots are provided free for visitors to use.
We have a limited number of body protectors that can be hired.
Thick leggings or trousers that offer freedom of movement. Jeans have been known to cause friction. Legs must be covered at all times, i.e. no shorts or skirts.
Long socks.
Clothing should be suitable for the weather conditions. Windproof & Waterproof jacket properly fastened & not flapping. A long-sleeved shirt or a sweatshirt, are recommended.
No jewellery should be worn whilst riding or handling horses.
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to be dressed correctly in accordance with the above information before riding.
Photos & Videos
Our guides are happy to take photos for you if requested.
Please ask your guide before going out onto the beach. Photos will be sent to you via WhatsApp, but you will need to give your guide permission to send them and provide your mobile number.
Photos and videos taken during your ride may also be used for promotional purposes, including on our website and social media. If you do not give permission for your photos/videos to be used in this way, please make sure you select the appropriate option on your registration form.
Please be aware that all photos and videos are taken from horseback while the guide is also riding and leading the group. If you particularly want photos or videos of your ride, we recommend arranging for a family member or friend to meet you on the beach to take them.
Our guides are qualified riding trail guides — not professional photographers! 😂
Photos taken subject to weather & tide conditions, how busy the Strand is with other users and the general safety of the group.
Beach & Dune Ride Rules
All rides include a riding assessment in the arena before setting out. This assessment is included in your ride time. Our decision on the riding assessment is final.
- No complete beginners or lead-rein riders. We do not accept complete beginners or riders who require a lead rein on beach or dune rides.
- Your booking is your group. We do not mix different bookings into one riding group.
- Mixed abilities within your own group. If riders in your group have different abilities, the ride will be conducted at the level of the least experienced rider.
- Be honest about your riding ability. Your safety is important to us. Please do not over-estimate your ability when completing your booking form. We use the information you provide to match you with a suitable horse, so it is important that this information is accurate.
- No refund if your ability has been over-estimated. If you have overstated your riding ability and we do not have a suitable horse available for you, no refund will be given.
- English riding only. All our horses are ridden in English tack, using English saddles and bridles. If your experience is exclusively with Western-style riding, you will be considered a beginner/novice rider unless you have completed lessons in an English riding seat.
- We ride in all weather. Rides will only be cancelled if there is an extreme weather warning affecting the area.
Riding Safely
The beach and dunes are an outdoor environment and there can be unexpected hazards. Dogs, wildlife, loud noises, tents, rubbish and other unfamiliar objects can startle a horse. The beach is also used by other people, including dog walkers and surfers, over whom Donegal Equestrian Centre has no control.
Horses are not machines. They have minds of their own. You are a participant, not a passenger.
When mounted:
- Always remain in control of your horse.
- Never let go of the reins.
- Keep your feet in your stirrups.
- No screaming or sudden shouting.
- Keep at least one horse's length between you and the horse in front.
- Clothing must be secure. All clothing must be zipped or buttoned so that it cannot come undone or flap around while riding. Do not add, remove or adjust clothing while mounted.