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

The best part of this day is the change of pace. You begin on horseback among fields, woods, and open mountain views near Ogorje, then switch gears for a quad ride on Dinara, Croatia’s highest mountain. It is a full day in rural Dalmatia, far from Split’s waterfront crowds.

I like the small groups of no more than four and the mix of quiet riding, local food, and rough mountain tracks. I also like that the meal takes place at a private tavern rather than a standard roadside stop. The main drawback is the price: at $294 per person, this is one of Split’s more expensive day trips, and the heat can make both the riding and quad sections tiring in summer.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different outdoor activities: You get a gentle horseback ride in Ogorje followed by a more active quad tour on Dinara.
• A private-tavern lunch: Expect grilled meat and home-style Croatian food, with a vegetarian meal available if requested ahead of time.
• Small-group attention: The tour is limited to four participants, with certified riding instructors and an English-speaking guide.
• Remote Dalmatian scenery: The quad route can include canyons, mountain paths, abandoned villages, Vrdovo, and Debelo brdo.
• Photos are part of the experience: Photos are taken during the day and sent afterward by email.
• Plan for a long, active day: The trip lasts about eight hours, with roughly 50 minutes of driving each way from Split.

From Split to the quiet fields of Ogorje

Your day starts at the Split Outdoor Adventure office on Trumbićeva obala 13. Arrive 10 minutes early, then settle into the van for the drive inland. The transfer takes about 50 minutes, carrying you away from the coast and toward the village of Ogorje near the Bosnian border.

This first ride matters because the day is not a quick activity just outside Split. You are going into the Dalmatian interior, where the pace is slower and the setting feels much less built up. The reward is open countryside, distant mountains, forest tracks, and a sense of rural Croatia that beach-focused visitors often miss.

The exact starting time can vary, but the trip is designed as a full-day outing. Some departures begin early, so check the start time carefully when booking. Opening hours can change, and you should not assume the office will be open before the stated departure.

Horseback riding in Ogorje

The first activity takes place at Konjički klub Javor in Radunić, Ogorje. You receive a short introduction from certified riding instructors, get fitted with riding equipment, and head out for about two hours.

This is not a staged photo ride around a tiny paddock. The route moves through untouched countryside, with fields, forest paths, fresh air, and mountain views. The pace is intended to be peaceful, which makes this section a good fit if you have some riding experience or simply want a calm introduction to the Dalmatian interior.

The instructors are an important part of the experience. Lucia is specifically named in the tour feedback as kind, attentive, and professional, with a willingness to help riders handle and care for the horses. That sort of attention is useful for beginners, who may need help with posture, reins, mounting, or keeping a steady pace.

You should still be realistic about the activity. Horseback riding uses muscles you may not expect, and a two-hour ride can feel demanding if you have little experience. Comfortable trousers and closed, comfortable shoes are sensible. Sunscreen is essential, especially in the warmer months.

The schedule lists two hours for the ride, though the precise time can shift with the group, weather, and riding conditions. A past departure described about an hour and a half of riding plus instruction. Think of the horse section as a substantial countryside outing, not a quick add-on before lunch.

A private tavern lunch in Rumin

After the horses, the van takes you to Rumin for lunch. This is one of the most appealing details of the day. Instead of eating at a large tourist restaurant, you stop at a private tavern with a traditional Croatian meal.

The food is centered on grilled meat and other home-style dishes made with local ingredients. One drink and a 0.5-liter bottle of water are included. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it in advance rather than waiting until you sit down.

The lunch gives the day a useful pause. You have time to cool off, eat properly, and reset before the louder, rougher quad ride. Past descriptions also note a river beside the tavern, with the possibility of cooling off there on some departures. Treat that as a pleasant possibility, not a guaranteed swimming stop, since the formal schedule promises lunch rather than a river visit.

I would mention dietary needs when booking, even if you only want a lighter meal. The menu is strongly meat-based, so vegetarians should not rely on finding a suitable plate at the last minute.

Quad biking on Dinara Mountain

The afternoon brings the most exciting part of the tour: a guided quad ride on Dinara. The formal schedule allows about two and a half hours for the ride, while some past descriptions put the outing closer to three hours or more. The route and timing can change, so prepare for a long session rather than counting on a short drive.

You may ride alone or share a quad, depending on the arrangements for your group. A driver’s license is required. That rule is important: you cannot simply arrive without one and expect to take the controls.

The guide leads you along rough mountain routes and remote tracks. The scenery can include canyons, steep mountain roads, open country, abandoned villages, and views toward Vrdovo and Debelo brdo. These are places many people visiting Split never reach, and the quad gives you access to areas that would take much longer to explore on foot.

The riding is not just about speed. The appeal is the variety of the route: turns through the hills, wide views, rugged ground, and quiet stretches where there may be little sign of modern development. At other points, the ride can feel more intense, particularly on rough tracks and mountain bends.

A past description compared parts of the setting to Game of Thrones, which is an understandable reference for the stark stone, mountain roads, and remote Dalmatian terrain. The comparison should not set up the wrong expectation. This is not a film-location tour. It is a practical outdoor adventure through the same kind of dramatic country that makes the region so visually striking.

The guide matters here. One guide named Toni received especially warm praise for being friendly, supportive, and willing to explain the surroundings. Another guide was praised for providing plenty of information and helping the group feel comfortable. The listed tour language is English, so do not book expecting a multilingual departure, although one past driver also spoke German.

Photos, equipment, and the small-group advantage

Photos are taken during the day and sent to you by email afterward. That is a useful extra because it lets you enjoy the activities without trying to keep a phone safe on horseback or on a bumpy quad track.

Riding equipment and quad equipment are included. You also receive the services of two certified riding instructors, a guide and driver, transport from your accommodation, water, lunch, and one drink. Confirm the pickup details in advance if you are staying outside the usual Split area, since the stated meeting point is the outdoor adventure office.

The group size is limited to four. This is a major advantage for an activity that combines horses and motor vehicles. A small group gives the instructors more room to help with the horses and lets the quad guide adjust the pace more easily than on a large convoy.

It also means availability may be limited. If you want a particular day, book early, especially during July and August. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option, which helps if your coastal plans are weather-dependent.

Heat, effort, and what to pack

Dalmatian summer heat is the most practical concern. A past participant found the day much more tiring because temperatures were very high, particularly for the horses and riders. The quad ride may feel thrilling in the heat, but it still demands concentration and stamina.

Bring comfortable clothes, sturdy comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and water. Water is included, but carrying extra water is sensible for a long outdoor day. A driver’s license is compulsory for anyone who will drive a quad.

Do not book this activity if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, have significant mobility limitations, or are under 12. You also need a driver’s license, so the quad section is not suitable for someone who cannot legally drive.

The horse ride is calmer than the quad section, but neither activity is passive. You will spend much of the day outside, moving over uneven ground and sitting for long periods. If you have back, joint, or balance problems, ask the operator for advice before booking.

Is $294 good value?

At $294, this is not a budget excursion. You are paying for transport from Split, a small group, two separate outdoor activities, professional instruction, equipment, lunch, water, a drink, and a full day with a guide. The price also covers access to a part of inland Dalmatia that is not easy to reach by public transport.

The value improves if you would otherwise book horseback riding and quad biking separately. Here, the two activities are joined into one carefully arranged day, with lunch and transport between the stops. You also avoid having to rent a vehicle or work out how to reach Ogorje, Rumin, and Dinara.

The value is weaker if you only want one activity. Someone interested mainly in horseback riding may find the afternoon quad section too expensive and too long. Likewise, a person who wants a pure adrenaline outing might consider the morning ride a slow start.

I would also compare this price with the cost of a standard Split day tour. This experience is more personal and active, but it does not include major historic sights or a long list of attractions. You are paying for time outdoors, local hospitality, and guided access to the countryside.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and active adults who want more than beaches and old-town sightseeing. It is especially good for people who enjoy trying two different activities in one day and do not mind a long transfer into the interior.

It can work for beginners because the riding instructors provide an introduction and the quad tour is guided. Still, beginners should be honest about their comfort level. The quad route can be rough and exciting, and the riding section requires balance and patience.

Families should check the age rule carefully. Children under 12 cannot join, and the day is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Since the group is capped at four, it may suit a small family with older children, provided everyone meets the activity requirements.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a relaxed culinary day, a history tour, or a short activity close to Split. The experience is active from morning until afternoon, with substantial time in a van and outdoors.

My final call: book it for the combination

I would book this tour if I wanted one memorable day that combines quiet rural riding with serious quad adventure. The private tavern lunch, small group, helpful instructors, and photo service give it more substance than a basic vehicle rental or short horseback outing.

I would skip it if $294 strains your budget, if you dislike heat and bumpy roads, or if you want to choose only one activity. For everyone else, the combination is the point. You get the calm side of Dalmatia in Ogorje, a generous local meal in Rumin, and a rugged afternoon on Dinara that reaches places most visitors never see.

FAQ

How long does the full-day tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including transport from Split, horseback riding, lunch, the quad tour, and the return drive.

Where does the tour start?

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

Is transport from Split included?

Yes. A guide and driver provide transport from the meeting point, with about 50 minutes of driving each way.

How long is the horseback riding section?

The planned horseback riding time is about two hours, including the introduction and preparation with certified riding instructors.

How long is the quad tour?

The scheduled quad drive is about two and a half hours. Some departures may run longer depending on the route and conditions.

Do I need a driver’s license?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch and one drink per person are included. Vegetarian food is available if requested in advance.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The listed tour language is English, with a live English-speaking guide.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity is limited to four participants, making it a small-group experience.

Who cannot take part?

The tour is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people without a driver’s license.