Ride Spy Mountain and cross the Tye River on a 3-hour Blue Ridge trail
3 hours
Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains on a guided 3-hour trail ride from Montebello, Virginia. Cross the Tye River, follow a ridge line up Spy Mountain, and ride along the historic Irish Creek Railway bed.
Riders must be age 10+. Completely enclosed shoes or boots are required, and all riders are required to wear a riding helmet.
Booking may be cancelled if not paid in full within 72 hours of the reservation time. Operator rides rain or shine, but may cancel for unsafe conditions; ride will be rescheduled or refunded if reschedule can not be made (booking fee refunded). Reschedule/cancel at least 72 hours prior; booking fee not refunded. No-shows: no refund.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled ride time.
Wear completely enclosed shoes or boots (no sandals or flip flops). Long pants are recommended. Bring a raincoat and dress for the temperature. You may bring snacks and water.
Yes. All riders must wear a riding helmet. You can bring your own (bike helmets are fine) or use one provided.
Montebello, Virginia
Janette (and fellow guides Kenton and Kim) have built a strong reputation for making riders of all skill levels feel genuinely comfortable in the saddle. First-timers and seasoned riders alike consistently mention how thorough the pre-ride instruction is, with guides taking time to match riders with the right horses and explain the nuances of working with each animal's personality. The horses themselves get plenty of praise too, described as well-mannered, sure-footed, and forgiving on varied terrain. The trails offer real mountain riding, with stream crossings, rocky inclines, and scenery that reviewers repeatedly struggle to find words for. Rides range from one to four hours, and guides stay engaged throughout, offering tips, sharing local knowledge, and snapping photos along the way. For families especially, the patience and attentiveness of the guides seems to make a big difference in how much everyone enjoys the experience. With a near-perfect rating across a large number of reviews, this one is hard to pass on.
My husband and I took a 3.5hr trail ride at Douthat state park with Kenton and we had the best time!! We loved that the ride was private and was tailored to our skill level. We have some experience in riding and Kenton worked with us to understand what we were comfortable with, and gave us tips and instruction along the way. Through this we had plenty of opportunities for trotting and cantering during the ride, making this the best trail ride we’ve been on!
Kelsey Jorge
June 15, 2026
My husband and I took a 3.5hr trail ride at Douthat state park with Kenton and we had the best time!! We loved that the ride was private and was tailored to our skill level. We have some experience in riding and Kenton worked with us to understand what we were comfortable with, and gave us tips and instruction along the way. Through this we had plenty of opportunities for trotting and cantering during the ride, making this the best trail ride we’ve been on!
Kelsey Jorge
June 15, 2026