The top 5 places for horse riding in the Adelaide Hills, from beginners to seasoned pro's. Funday Farm, Adventure and family accommodation Adelaide Hills for up to 14 guests in 28 secluded acres.

Number 1: Kirby Park Stud (Megan Jones Riding School), Hahndorf — best for absolute beginnersOlympian-run and super welcoming, Kirby Park’s “Ready Set Trot” intro plus 1-hour scenic trail rides are ideal if you’ve never ridden. Expect gentle, well-matched horses and calm coaching on a 100-acre property minutes from Hahndorf. Current prices: group lesson $125, private $150, and 1-hour trail ride $165 (price list Sept 2025). Book Wed–Sun. www.kirbypark.com

Number 2: Templewood Horse Riding Centre, Inglewood — beginner lessons & confidence building. On 200 acres of classic Adelaide Hills scenery, Templewood specialises in beginners and nervous riders with qualified instructors and an enviable safety record. Group lessons (60 min) are $95; kids’ levels are $85; shared & private $95pp; full-day holiday programs $190. Perfect to lock in the basics before your first trail ride. Templewood Horse Riding Centre

Number 3: Koolyangarra Equestrian Centre — guided trail rides & starter programs. Ready to leave the arena? Koolyangarra runs relaxed 60-minute guided trail rides through the Hills (from $90pp) plus structured beginner courses (five 90-minute sessions for $300) covering grooming, saddling, and riding skills. Great value if you want hands-on horse care as well as time in the saddle. Tell Izzy & Lisa that we sent you! Koolyangarra Equestrian Centre

Number 4: Kuitpo Forest (ForestrySA) — intermediate BYO-horse trail loops. Once you’re confident steering and managing pace, head to Kuitpo’s shared-use network weaving through pine and native forest near Meadows. You’ll need a riding permit (easy online). Day permits start from $7.90; annual permits from $79, and the trails link beautifully with picnic areas and campgrounds (check fire season). This is a brilliant step-up for riders comfortable outside a lesson setting. www.forestrysa1.rezdy.com/catalog/374170/horse-riding

Number 5: Mount Crawford Forest (ForestrySA) — advanced BYO-horse adventure. For fit, experienced riders with solid trail sense, Mount Crawford’s rolling terrain includes several ~20 km multi-use loops and extensive fire tracks. It’s more remote than Kuitpo, so go prepared (maps, water, phone), ride to conditions, and carry your ForestrySA permit (same system as above; annual from $79). Trail variety and distance make it the pick for experts. www.southaustraliantrails.com/

How to choose the right option• First ride ever? Pick Kirby Park’s intro program or scenic trail to get the magic without the stress. kirbypark.com• Building skills? Templewood’s structured lessons are gold for balance, steering, and confidence. Templewood Horse Riding Centre• Want a gentle trail plus learning the ropes? Koolyangarra blends both. Koolyangarra Equestrian Centre• Ready for independence with your own horse? Start with Kuitpo’s waymarked loops; level up to Mount Crawford when you want longer routes and more technical terrain. ForestrySA+1

Permits, safety & good-to-knows

• ForestrySA permits: buy online before you ride—day from $7.90, annual from $79. Helmets are essential; stick to shared-use trails and posted rules. forestrysa1.rezdy.com• Where horses are allowed: ForestrySA lists horse-friendly trails at Kuitpo and Mount Crawford; Trails SA outlines additional parks with designated horse access—always check current advisories. ForestrySA+1•

Bookings and weather:

Riding schools fill up on weekends and holidays. Templewood notes they ride year-round with indoor/covered facilities—handy in summer heat or winter drizzle. Templewood Horse Riding Centre

Tip: if you’re combining a Hahndorf visit with a ride, Kirby Park’s 1-hour trails run near wineries—perfect for a long lunch after the saddle time.

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The top 5 places to ride a horse in the Adelaide Hills. Bought to you by Funday Farm.

www.fundayfarm.com.au