Back in the saddle
PHOTO BY ROB SOMES Dutch Creek Trails in Vilas offers guided rides in the summer six days a week with four different team slots available each day.
Horseback riding opportunities in the High Country BY NATHAN HAM
E
xploring the High Country on horseback has become a fun adventure for many residents and visitors. Leatherwood Mountains Resort, located at 512 Meadow Road in Ferguson, continues to be one of the finest equestrian communities in North Carolina. First founded in 1986, Leatherwood Mountain was a 40,000-acre area of land used for timber harvesting that eventually transformed into a wonderful mountain resort. The equestrian opportunities available include both beginner-level trails to more advanced, rugged trails for the strongest of riders. The equine center at Leatherwood Mountain Resort offers 60 stalls as well as an outdoor riding ring and a covered indoor area to allow for horseback riding in poor weather conditions. In addition to the amenities offered at FILE PHOTO SEE SADDLE ON PAGE 98
96
Hidden Pastures Trails in Ashe County offers two-hour trail rides seven days a week for riders ages 12 and up. SUMMER TIMES 2022
