Horseback Riding On Maui

It's common knowledge that Maui, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on earth. But in addition to the fantastic tropical atmosphere, fabulous food and wonderful culture, there are also great options for horseback riding.

Ironwood Ranch is located atop the western Maui Mountains, high above the busy resort area. They claim to have the best string of horses available in the entire region and specialize in smaller group rides. There are also private rides available upon request and you can even have a horseback riding party on their grounds if you like. They offer a wide variety of horseback riding options and can accommodate families and individual riders of any experience level. The ranchers will specially select a horse for you that matches your riding style and ability and even offer smaller, gentle horses for children. Choose from several different tours and ride through the pineapple fields and Ironwood Forest while enjoying spectacular views of Maui and its neighboring islands. Visit Ironwood Ranch's website at www.ironwoodranch.com.

Haleakala on Horseback offers two exciting, 'House of the Sun' guided horseback trail rides into the largest, dormant volcano on Earth - the Haleakala. They provide experienced guides that narrate the trip, giving you all sorts of information on the fascinating history and geology of Haleakala in addition to the rare plants and animals found there. Take the eight-mile Haleakala Crater Ka Moa O Pele Junction Ride and descend down the soft slope of the Sliding Sands Trail, 2500 feet to the crater floor! It's about four hours of incredible scenery and there is no prior horseback riding experience necessary. Plus, you'll be given a wonderful lunch when you reach the bottom. Go to www.mauihorsebackriding.com for more information.

Mendes Ranch is an actual working cattle ranch situated in the heart of West Maui. Ride the range into the base of flourishing, green valleys where you'll take in breathtaking views of the flowing waterfalls of the West Maui Mountains. Afterward, ride along the waves of the beautiful shorelines. They have a two-hour morning ride which starts at 8:30 am and an afternoon ride beginning at 12:30 in the afternoon. At the end of each ride, you'll be offered a generous, Azeka-style feast for an additional fee. The ranch is closed on Sundays and the minimum age for riders is 7 years old. Their web address is www.mendesranch.com.

Lahaina Stables is nuzzled in the slopes of the West Maui Mountains. They offer several riding options including a two-hour morning ride, three and a half lunch ride and a remarkable, two-hour sunset ride which they highly recommend, especially for experienced riders. They welcome families with a minimum age requirement of 8-years-old. Get more information at www.mauihorse.com.