Gone are the days of tired old nags walking nose to tail along well-trodden paths. Today's horse trails are exhilarating eco adventures, taking riders – both beginners and experienced alike – into remote areas, where you can explore hidden villages, untouched coastline and get closer to nature than you ever would on either wheels or boots.

1. Andalucían coast, Spain

An Andalucían riding holiday that focuses on coastline over countryside. With North Africa in your sights, you'll gallop through the waves towards the sand dunes at the windsurfer's paradise of Tarifa, canter through tranquil pinewoods on secluded nature reserves, and explore hidden villages where you can enjoy an ice cold fino against dramatic views sweeping out over the ocean. Especially good for new riders.

· Seven nights in a three-star hotel from £750 bed and breakfast, £575 self catering. Not including flights to either Gibraltar, Jerez or Malaga. equestrian-escapes.com or +44 (0)1829 781 123.

2. The Costa Verde, Portugal

Improve your technique and explore the rural countryside of the Peneda-Geres national park on the Portugal's Costa Verde with a holiday that focuses on the art of dressage, but also throws in some trail riding for good measure. Spend two hours each day being taught by Miguel Magalhaes, a national dressage Vice-Champion, learning how to pull off flying changes and the Spanish walk, before heading out for the afternoon in the mountains.

· Seven days from £1,099 including transfers, accommodation, all tuition and meals (with wine). Ideal for intermediate to advanced riders. equineadventures.co.uk or +44 (0) 845 130 6981. Not including flights to Porto.

3. Sligo, Ireland

This has to be one of the most perfect equine mini-breaks … with the freedom of the open road, bogland path, cart track and miles of sandy beach. If you're an intermediate rider or above, Horse Holiday Farm will give you a handsome Irish hunter, saddle bags and a map, and will also pre-book guesthouses or farms for your overnight stays. This means you can either take your time or gallop like the clappers, drinking in "Yeats' country" with unforgettable views over Sligo Bay towards County Mayo.

· Four-night bed and breakfast breaks start from €530. horse-holiday-farm.com or +353 71 916 6152.

4. The Black Mountains, Wales

Before travelling further afield you can get into saddle shape in the Welsh Black Mountains. While Trans Wales Trails offers holidays for all standards its beginner packages are particularly popular, giving novice riders plenty of adventure and a spectacular wilderness environment – just at a more steady, bottom-friendly pace. Explore tiny villages, stop for great pub lunches and go higher and further than even some of the more energetic hikers would go before retiring back to your friendly farmhouse.

· Seven nights all-inclusive start from £630. Shorter breaks can also be arranged. transwales.demon.co.uk or +44 (0)1874 711 398.

5. Sierra Chicas, Argentina

A stay at an estancia – a traditional Argentinean ranch – isn't just a holiday. It's a place to immerse yourself in a colonial-era way of life and try everything from herding and branding cattle to playing polo. In Sierra Chicas, close to the Andes in the heart of Cordoba, you'll stay in a beautiful room warmed by a wood-burning stove and decorated with antiques while spending your days hacking out into 15,000 acres of estate. Beyond its bounds, you'll discover isolated villages, stunning waterfalls and ancient churches, eating asados (Argentinean barbecues) and sampling local wines. On top of all this, you'll also have 150 horses to choose from. Perfect for the globetrotting novice who wants a riding holiday, but plenty more too.

· A ranch-based Activity Week fully inclusive of all meals and drinks, riding and accommodation costs from £175 a day. farandride.com or +44 (0)845 006 6552.

6. Dartmoor, England

If you already have your own horse, why not try taking it on holiday with you? At Lydford House, in one of the most picturesque parts of Dartmoor, there are 13 decent sized stables, so pony can come too – for free! You'll have to pay, but at £35 a person for a night, and the open moor just a hoof step away, consider it a bargain. You can also self-cater for £533 a week in peak season. Daily pony treks and lessons can also be arranged for non-horse owners.

· lydfordhouse.com or +44 (0)1822 820 347.

7. Botswana and South Africa

Imagine trekking along old elephant trails and spotting rhino, lions, giraffe, buffalo – without the confines of an armoured vehicle or someone's sun visor clogging your lens. Astride your thoroughbred in the Masharu game reserve in Botswana you'll get so close to the Big Five you'll be able to see their whiskers twitching without binoculars. While you'll need to be an expert rider to get that close (quick getaway anyone?) 2by2 Holidays also offers six-day big game horseback safaris to absolute beginners in the Waterberg mountains, a Unesco biosphere reserve known for its diversity of plant, bird and wildlife.

· The Waterberg Botswana nine-day package for experienced riders includes four nights camping from £1,495. Starting price for six-day absolute beginners in the Waterberg Mountains is £875 all in (flights extra). 2by2holidays.co.uk or +44 (0)1582 766 122.

8. Nevada, US

This is a horse lover's feel-good holiday at its best, giving riders the experience of mornings spent cantering cowboy-style across acres of Nevada grasslands and, at night, being lulled to sleep by the gentle mooing of thousands of cattle. But this trip certainly isn't a pamper-fest, and guests will learn how to mend fences, eat beans from billy cans, and take part in cow-branding. This holiday is as authentic as they come, which is why it's suggested for riders who are intermediate and above.

· An eight-day holiday joining the Cottonwood Ranch Horse and Cattle drive starts from £1,040 per person including full board, transfers, taxes and gratuities. ranchamerica.co.uk or +44 (0)845 2773 306.

9. Tuscany, Italy

A new way to discover an old favourite. With this trek you can explore Montalcino and San Gimignano from a decidedly different angle, trotting through terraced vineyards, cypress avenues and extensive woodland. Your week's holiday starts at a 17th-century farmhouse, where you'll pick your pony and head out on day hacks (and long lunch stops). Then it's off to Siena for a three-day circular journey passing some 70 castles along the way. Suitable for intermediate riders comfortable with long days in the saddle.

· The Chianti and Castles trail costs from £1,240 including all accommodation and most meals. inthesaddle.com or +44 (0)1299 272 997.

10. Aveyron, France

If you want to meet your horse before you even fly, then check out frenchridingholidays.co.uk. There you'll meet Storm, Opel, Kenzo and Nelson (to name a few) and you can start imagining yourself racing through the woodlands and sweeping valleys of the Aveyron countryside in France. Although this is a British-run operation the focus is totally French; your riding will be interspersed with gourmet picnics using local produce and regional wines. All levels can be catered for.

· Prices for a weeks holiday start from £750 per person all inclusive (flights not included). frenchridingholidays.co.uk or +33 689 735 652.