New Forest Lodge, horse riding and carriage driving holidays -Algarve Portugal

Reprint of review from Essential Algarve Magazine April/May 07:

Dense forest, open fields, shallow lakes, narrow streams and a breeze laced with the flavour of the Atlantic. The serra do Espinhaço de Cão (Dog Spine Hills) is a varied, undulating landscape sewn with gum citrus, tree heather, lavender and Lusitanian heath. Pine, eucalyptus and cork oak are abundant.
This is some of the least explored countryside in the western Algarve. It's also some of the most unspoilt. And hidden amongst it all is the New Forest Lodge equestrian Centre.
The New Forest Lodge, nestling in a sheltered valley about 15 km north of Lagos along the N 120, offers carriage driving as part of its equestrian pursuits programme. One-hour introductory courses, a half-day excursion or an adventurous full day's driving are available, depending on individual requirements and levels of skill. "This is something the whole family can enjoy," says David Fry, the centre's director. "Carriage driving allows people to get to know horses but who don't necessarily want to ride. It's also about experienced riders learning and developing new skills."
The centre has a six-seat, four wheel jardinera carriage, a two wheel trotting rig, a four wheel marathon carriage and a selection of traditional gypsy and farm carts. Some guests, however, prefer to ride in the saddle and can follow the carriages on horseback. The horses used to draw the carriages are locally bred Cruzado Português - sturdy, good-natured and able to cope with the occasional summer heat wave. Strong and intelligent, they will pull all day but still respond sensitively to the most demanding rider.
Typically, the carriage driving experience begins in the lodge's corral, where guests are introduced to the horses and their helpers - an experienced team of guide-grooms who live and breath everything equestrian. Itineraries depend on the abilities of the drivers, among other factors, and novices usually start by following one of the many local farm trails that snake through the 22-odd acres of land owned by the lodge. Staff assist with the reins and horse handling from the instructor's seat but if a driver is feeling confident enough to handle their own carriage, the guide will accompany them on horseback.
The longer tracks and bridleways extend beyond the boundaries of the centre and in all, guests can explore around 50 acres of stunning countryside, some of which comprises the Parque Natural do Sudoeste
Alentejano e Costa Vicentina.
There are hundreds of kilometres of dirt track in the region, most of it accessible by horse and carriage. Some of the routes take guests past fields of grazing sheep and goats, others through shaded woodland where shards of sunlight beam through emerald canopies. A favourite path leads to a "secret" lake that's rarely indicated on maps. The water is clean and fresh and during the summer months the temptation to rein in and take a dip is usually too great to pass.
It can be a bumpy ride at times - this is, after all, the Algarve hinterland and tarmac is rare. But therein lies the appeal. This is an escape back to nature where, depending on the time of year, empty lanes are bordered by dazzling yellow restharrow, blue and white iris, wild orchid and other colourful and aromatic flora. Butterflies like the swallowtail and adonis can be seen dancing in the air and the guides will happily point out birds like the bee-eater, corn bunting, lapwing, kingfisher and if your lucky, rarer species like the short-toed eagle and black kite. The only traffic you're likely to encounter is the occasional shepherd or herdsman. But it's not all a slow plod. Urged by a spirited prompt, the horses will take rigs at full gallop along more level ground and the subsequent adrenaline rush is palpable.
Remote hamlets are visited along some of the routes where lunch can be arranged at homely restaurants at guests' expense. Alliteratively, lodge staff can pack optional tasty picnics or organise BBQs - great fun!
"For half a day out here you pay the same price as a round of golf," points out David. "You get to see a different, more isolated Algarve where few tourists go. And it's quite possible to ride all day without passing a car."