Trails USA

Trail riding with Extremtrail is a continuation of our skill-building approach: you use what you learned in our foundation and skills clinics to apply your trail riding judgment, decision-making, and horse-handling in real Colorado terrain. These instructional trail experiences focus on rider responsibility, calm decision-making with your own horse, and learning through practice rather than passive guiding.

Ride beyond the arena

Requirements and responsibility (check the pre-Booking-Check list)

To participate, riders must:

know how to saddle a horse independently
be comfortable riding at walk, trot, and canter
be able to mount from the ground, a rock or a tree when needed
Riders participate with their own horses and remain responsible for their horse and for all riding decisions, including their choice of line, pace, and whether to proceed through any section of trail.

We do walk sections on the trail, depending on terrain.

All riding is at your own risk, and participation requires signing a waiver.

In short, these rides are not guided “tourist rides.”

They are:

practical, honest, grounded in real trail riding, focused on responsibility, skill and partnership
If you enjoy riding with your horse — not negotiating with it — You’ll feel at home here.

Trail rides after the Trail Skills Parcours

Our 1-day Colorado trail experiences follow directly from our Trail Skills Parcours. While on terrain, riders apply the skills they have learned — choosing their own line, pace, and technical approach with support and mentoring available if questions or situations arise. All activities are designed to be instructional, rider-led experiences rather than guided tours.

These rides are about:

applying what you learned in the foundation Clinic and practiced in the parcours
riding calmly in real terrain

building confidence outside a controlled environment

All rides and trail experiences are intended for participants who bring their own horses. In rare cases, we may assist with trusted, experienced horses for riders who do not have their own, but this is done under the same instructional responsibility model — you are responsible for your horse and decisions.

Learning continues on the trail

Depending on the ride and group, elements of short, practical clinics may be integrated, such as:

making horses more confident on the trail
ultralight packing principles
route planning and navigation with Garmin GPS

Learning does not stop once we leave the skills course.

Ultralight trail riding

We ride ultralight and do not use pack horses.

All equipment is carried on the riding horses and kept to an absolute minimum.
This approach keeps horses fresh, mobile and independent on the trail

Local Trails – 3–6 hours

Perfect as a first real trail ride after the Trail Skills Parcours.

We saddle up at the Red Rock Ranch and explore areas such as:

Mount Herman
Greenland Open Space
other scenic locations near Palmer Lake

These rides take 3–6 hours and are guided at a pace that suits you and your horse.

Costs: Halfday 140 USD

Fullday 280 USD

Trails & Camp – 2–3 Days

Colorado truly is trail riding country.

These multi-day trail experiences are designed as an extension of our trail skills and riding education. Over several days in real terrain, riders apply what they have learned — making decisions with their own horse, managing pace, and adapting to changing conditions on the trail.

During these days, you will:

camp under the western sky
explore deeper backcountry terrain
connect learned skills to real trail situations

Riders participate with their own horses and remain responsible for their horse, their decisions, and their individual choice of line, pace, and whether to proceed through any section of trail. Instruction, feedback, and supervision are provided throughout, but participation remains active and rider-led, not a guided tour.

Trail routes may be north or south of Palmer Lake, or in areas such as Hartsel, with overnight stays in camp or simple cabins, depending on route and conditions. Rental sleeping gear and cover options are available if needed.

Costs: USD 280 per day plus expenses
Exact costs are defined once route, duration, and logistics are agreed upon.

UL-Long Rides & Special Routes

These advanced trail riding experiences are intended for experienced riders who wish to apply their skills over longer distances and more complex terrain.

UL-Long Rides focus on independent riding, decision-making, and efficient travel with your own horse in real backcountry conditions. Participation builds on previously acquired trail skills and confidence rather than providing a guided tour.

Depending on route and conditions, these experiences may include:

extended backcountry trail riding
selected sections of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT)
small groups (typically no more than 4 riders)
self-supported travel with provided equipment and shared group cooking

Riders participate with their own horses and remain responsible for their horse, their riding decisions, and their individual choice of line, pace, and whether to proceed through any section. Instruction, mentoring, and supervision are provided throughout, while riding remains active, self-managed, and skill-based.

Costs: USD 280 per day plus expenses
Exact costs are defined once the route, duration, and logistics are agreed upon.

Go to Booking Request