From Split: Full-Day Horse Riding & Quad Biking with Lunch

The best thing about this day is the sharp change of pace: a calm horse ride through Ogorje in the morning, followed by a rougher quad trip across Dinara Mountain. I like that the tour takes you well beyond Split’s busy waterfront and gives you real time in the Dalmatian countryside, not just a quick photo stop.

I also like the private-tavern lunch and the small group limit of four. The meal adds a welcome local touch, while a tiny group makes it easier for the guide to help with riding, driving, and photos. The main catch is the price, $294 per person, and the long, active day can feel demanding in strong summer heat.

At a glance

• Horse riding in Ogorje: Spend about two hours with certified riding instructors among open fields, forest paths, and mountain air.
• Homemade lunch in Rumin: Stop at a private tavern for grilled meat, local ingredients, one drink, and vegetarian food if requested ahead of time.
• Quad trails on Dinara: Follow a guide through remote paths, canyons, abandoned villages, and mountain viewpoints.
• Small-group setting: The tour is limited to four participants, which is useful for personal help and a less rushed pace.
• Photos to take home: Photos are taken during the day and sent by email, according to the tour details and guest experience.
• Full-day commitment: Plan on eight hours, including about 50 minutes in the van each way from central Split.

Why this day feels different from a normal Split excursion

Most outings from Split focus on old towns, beaches, islands, or famous waterfalls. This one goes inland, toward the villages and mountain country that many people miss while staying on the coast. You trade polished sights for dirt tracks, open fields, rocky slopes, and quiet rural roads.

The two activities also balance each other well. Horse riding gives you a slower start, with time to settle into the countryside and learn how to handle the horse. The quad portion brings the noise, speed, and rougher terrain later in the day.

I like that this is not sold as only an adrenaline trip. The morning has a gentle side, and the meal breaks up the activity before the more demanding afternoon. That mix makes the day suitable for a couple or small group with different ideas of fun, as long as everyone can manage the physical demands.

The experience is provided in English, and the group is limited to four. That is a real advantage here. Riding instructors can give more direct help, and the quad guide can keep the group together without the feel of a convoy.

The 50-minute ride inland from Split

You meet at the Split Outdoor Adventure office at Trumbićeva obala 13, arriving 10 minutes before the activity begins. From there, a van takes you inland for roughly 50 minutes toward Konjički klub Javor in Radunić, Ogorje.

The transfer is not dead time. It is the part of the day when the setting changes from coastal Split to the quieter interior of Dalmatia. The tour details describe a guide and driver, and the small group means the ride should not involve a large bus or a crowd.

Start times can change, so check the schedule when booking. Several past departures began early, around 8 a.m., and the office may open just as the tour starts. Do not arrive at the last second. The meeting point is in central Split, and you need time to find the office and get organized.

Bring a driver’s license. You cannot take part in the quad portion without one, and the tour is not suitable for anyone under 12. Comfortable clothing and closed, practical shoes make sense for both activities. Sunscreen is essential in the exposed Dalmatian sun.

Two quiet hours on horseback in Ogorje

At the equestrian club, certified riding instructors give you an introduction before the ride. The morning route passes through what is described as untouched nature, with open fields, forest paths, and mountain air around the village of Ogorje.

You should think of this as a countryside ride rather than a technical riding lesson. The focus is on seeing the area from horseback, getting comfortable with the animal, and moving through peaceful rural surroundings. The instructors can help beginners, and one instructor described in the tour feedback, Lucia, was praised for being patient, professional, and willing to let participants help care for the horses.

The scheduled riding time is two hours, though one account describes roughly 1.5 hours of riding plus instruction. That difference may reflect the time needed to mount, receive safety guidance, and prepare the horses. If riding is the main reason you want to book, ask about the exact riding time before departure.

The tour supplies riding equipment. Still, wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty and shoes that feel secure. You will be outside in sun and heat, and one especially hot outing was described as more tiring for both people and horses. That is useful advice: summer riding may sound easy, but heat changes the effort level quickly.

The photo service is a pleasant extra. Photos are taken during the day, including at the ranch, and are sent by email afterward. You can enjoy the ride without trying to photograph every moment yourself.

A private tavern lunch in Rumin

After the horse ride, the van continues to Rumin for lunch. The meal is served at a private tavern and includes BBQ-style meat dishes prepared with local, homegrown ingredients. One drink per person is included, along with a half-liter bottle of water for the tour.

This stop gives the day some local character. You are not eating at a standard roadside chain or rushing through a packed restaurant. The setting is described as traditional and secluded, with a river nearby. One past outing also included the chance to cool off by the water and swim at a lake during the quad portion, though you should not assume swimming is part of every departure unless the guide confirms it.

Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance. Do not wait until you are sitting down to mention it. The advertised meal leans heavily toward meat, so early notice matters if you need a different dish.

Allow about one hour for lunch. It is not only a feeding stop. After the horse ride, you will want the pause before the quad trip, especially in July and August. The meal also gives you a chance to talk with the guide and prepare for a more active afternoon.

Three hours of quad riding on Dinara Mountain

The afternoon moves to Dinara, Croatia’s highest mountain. You receive quad equipment and follow the guide along rough mountain paths, canyons, remote tracks, and areas near abandoned villages.

The tour information describes the quad drive as three hours, while the day plan gives 2.5 hours for the ride itself. In practical terms, expect a long afternoon session rather than a short beginner loop. The route can include Vrdovo and Debelo brdo, two viewpoints and remote areas that even many locals may not visit.

This is the part of the day for people who want a real sense of motion and open country. You may drive through rugged ground, climb mountain roads, and follow winding routes. The experience is not limited to sitting on a quad for a quick circuit near town.

You need a valid driver’s license. The tour is not suitable for people who do not drive, and it is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. The quad section may be the most exciting part of the day, but it is also the section that demands the most concentration and physical comfort.

You can ride alone or share a quad, according to the tour details. If you are traveling with a partner, decide what arrangement suits you before the ride begins. A shared quad can be social and practical, while solo driving gives you direct control. The guide leads the route, so follow instructions closely on rough or narrow sections.

Past outings described the quad route as running through the Dalmatian interior with mountain turns and remote scenery. The phrase Game of Thrones country has been used to describe the feel of the area, but the real appeal is simpler: broad views, quiet tracks, stone, and a strong sense of being away from the coast.

What the guide and group size add

The guide is more important here than on a basic sightseeing tour. You need help with the horses in the morning, route guidance on the quads, and transport between several locations. The experience is offered in English.

Lucia and Toni are names associated with particularly warm and capable service on past departures. Toni was described as a friendly driver and guide who could also speak German, while Lucia was praised for her kindness and work with the horses. Staff can change, so treat those names as useful context rather than a promise that both will lead your tour.

The four-person limit is one of the strongest features. A small group makes it easier to ask questions, receive riding help, and stop for photos without holding up a large party. It should also make the van transfer more comfortable than a full coach.

The photo service adds value in a quiet way. You receive a record of both the horse riding and the quad adventure without needing to keep your phone out while handling an animal or driving over rough ground.

Is $294 good value?

At $294 per person, this is one of the more expensive active day trips from Split. You are paying for a full day, two separate activities, transport from Split, equipment, instructors, a guide-driver, lunch, drinks, and photos.

The price makes more sense if you would otherwise book horseback riding and quad biking separately. You also avoid arranging transport into the interior, finding a horse ranch, locating a quad operator, and organizing lunch. The small group is another meaningful part of the cost.

It is less compelling if you only want one activity. Someone mainly interested in gentle horseback riding may find the afternoon too long. Someone focused only on quad biking may not want to pay for the horse portion and lunch.

I would judge the value by your priorities. If you want a varied outdoor day and would use both activities, the package is strong. If your budget is tight or you prefer a relaxed sightseeing day, choose a less costly excursion.

Who should book this adventure?

I would recommend it to adults and older teenagers who enjoy active days, rural settings, and a little controlled risk. Couples can split the day between a peaceful morning and a lively afternoon. Small groups of friends may particularly enjoy sharing a quad and comparing the two activities.

It suits confident beginners because instructors are present and the day includes an introduction to riding. Still, you should not book it expecting a purely easy-going outing. Heat, dust, long hours outdoors, and rough quad tracks are part of the deal.

I would skip it if you are pregnant, have mobility limits, use a wheelchair, or do not have a driver’s license. Children under 12 are not allowed. You also need to be comfortable with a full eight-hour schedule and a substantial amount of time in a vehicle.

Book early if you need a vegetarian lunch, and confirm the start time because operating hours may change. Bring your license, sturdy comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water, and clothes suited to outdoor activity.

The final call

Book this tour if you want to see a quieter side of Dalmatia and genuinely like both halves of the plan. The strongest features are the small four-person group, the contrast between horse riding and quad driving, the private lunch, and the route into remote parts of Dinara Mountain.

Skip it if $294 feels high for a day of physical activity or if you prefer to control your own pace. For the right person, though, this is a full and memorable day rather than a quick add-on from Split. You get countryside, food, animals, mountain roads, and a guide-led adventure in one package.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the Split Outdoor Adventure office at Trumbićeva obala 13 in Split. You should arrive 10 minutes before the activity begins.

How long does the full experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including approximately 50 minutes of van travel each way between Split and the inland activity areas.

How long is the horse ride?

The planned horse-riding portion lasts about two hours. This includes the introduction and guidance from certified riding instructors.

How long is the quad ride?

The tour includes a quad drive described as about three hours. The daily schedule allocates approximately 2.5 hours to the quad ride itself.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at a private tavern and one drink per person are included. Vegetarian food is available if you request it in advance.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes. You must bring a driver’s license to take part in the quad portion.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under 12.

What should I bring?

Bring a driver’s license, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothing. A half-liter bottle of water is also included.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to four participants. The tour is guided in English.