Tipperary county is dotted with a number of equestrian centres and horse riding establishments. Over the years, through travel and work I’ve passed through Tipperary but it’s always been on ‘well frequented paths’ as they say. I’m never gone off the beaten track and ventured into the hills and mountains.

On our recent visit I learned that Tipperary is essentially a flat plain surrounded by a number of mountain ranges. Names like the Silvermine mountains and the Devils’ Bit will be familiar to many but there’s still some of us who are only getting to explore them now. When you get up there, the views are really quite something!

We were staying in Nenagh and a search online will show Tipperary Mountain Trekking Centre located near Templemore. It’s a 30 minute drive taking you away from the hustle and up along some picturesque winding roads.

Regular trekkers will know the place well but to us newbies, we commented that perhaps some additional signage en route to the centre might not not be a bad idea. I know County Councils are funny about that sort of stuff and maybe it has been investigated already? It wasn’t any trouble for Google maps however who got us there in the end.

We knew the owner Claire was going to be out on a trek so we had a few minutes to take in the surroundings and we got chatting to a lovely lady waiting on a group to return. Turns out she had family from Co Meath, living not too far from ourselves back home – small world as they say!

The kids waited in the yard and met some lovely ponies in the stables and out buildings. They were happy petting them for a while and just getting to know the place. The centre has a well used look about it but we were there for the experience and not the glamour. We had researched online and saw some amazing pictures of groups out on the hills with Tipperary Mountain Trekking Centre. This was part of our decision to visit, just to replicate those images and try and get to see those same views.

A little dog arrived back in the yard which signaled the return of the trekking group and slowly ponies started to appear with their riders. As one group departed, our group got ready and donned our riding hats. The excitement was growing now with the kids and one by one they hopped up on to the mounting block and there were smiles all round as we were introduced to Finn, Dante, Sweetie, Bobsey, Ginny, Caspian, Judy and other ponies.

Adjustments were made to straps and stirrup and off we went, slowly trekking up hill. In our group, the kids were doing the trekking and the adults were just leading so we could walk along with the horses and hold the lead ropes. I think the kids liked this and it reassured them that we were close by. It also allowed us to be part of the experience too and get out there with them. There’s a gentle slope leading away from the centre and then it opens out into fields and pastures. It’s uneven ground so a good pair of walking boots or outdoor footwear is required.

It was really lovely out there and our guide Claire identified some old mounds and markings on the landscape that added additional interest to our adventure. There’s a lot of history around the centre and it’s thought these hill areas were part of an ancient iron age settlement. Claire would go into this in more detail on the adult treks but as you know yourself, it might be lost on the majority of kids.

We stopped for a photo opportunity overlooking the Tipperary plains and as the sun broke, it was really quite a view. As promised on their web site, the fields are indeed unspoilt pasture. It’s a real countryside experience with hedge rows, patchwork fields and there’s a beautiful silence out there too. You are certainly off the beaten track and you don’t meet another soul. You also get a sense of the elevation too when you see those views. The trek is beautiful, with some rest points along the way where our ponies reached down to graze on the grass. We were out there for about 1 hour and it honestly goes by in a flash.

Our youngest was a little nervous (in the red t-shirt in pic) and it was a big ask for him and indeed all the kids to hop up on a pony and trek off into the hills. Our group were novice level and they were all very brave. Daddy held the lead rope for our youngest and reassured him and slowly he started to relax. He remembered the instructions from Claire to lean forward on the incline and lean back on the decline and after a few minutes he was settling in. His horse ‘Finn’ was a lovely character and was actually a rescue horse who Claire and the team had lovingly nurtured back to health. Finn had a gentle temperament and just trekked along peacefully. He wanted to graze on the grass from time to time and our youngest wondered why he kept dipping his head. I explained that he just wants to munch on the mountain grass. Knowing the pony just wanted to have his ‘lunch’ seemed to bring a gentle nod of acceptance from our young rancher. “Suppose it’s okay Dad if he’s just having his snack“. Claire had educated me along the trek that ponies actually like to graze for 18hrs per day – you learn something new every day!

One of the other ponies was more lively and didn’t want to take its time following others through the gate on our return. It moved quickly through but was controlled superbly by Holly in our group who helped him settle down again. Great job Holly!

A couple of the older kids had enjoyed horse riding before but it was a new experience for most in our group, especially the little ones and that’s exactly why we chose to do it. We hope that these family holidays away in Ireland will be remembered. I’m sure they will and it’s days out like those at Tipperary Mountain Trekking Centre that make those memories.

It’s a beautiful activity to do on your next day out and this particular location was very picturesque. The centre has a well used appearance but that brings its own rustic charm about it and just goes to show just how popular a location it is. This is not just a business, it’s about genuine people doing something they love and it shows in their care and attention with their animals and also with their visitors. Check out some of the highly rated reviews online (TripAdvisor) and go book yourself in!

Overnight accommodation is also available at the centre, as well as longer treks into the countryside for more advanced riders.

Thank you to Claire and the team at Tipperary Mountain Trekking Centre who were very welcoming and accommodating. It was great to visit and it really was a super day out experience.

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