The use of horses is part of the cultural and historic heritage in many parts of the Australian Alps and a source of pleasure and enjoyment for a growing number of people. Horse riding is accepted as an appropriate means of appreciating and enjoying most parts of the Alps where environmental and social impacts can be kept at acceptable levels. Saddle and pack horses are also used by staff in some parks to carry out routine management work.

A wide range of organised horse riding adventures are available throughout the Alps. Information about those can be found at the National Park and region visitor centres.

No matter what kind of activities you enjoy in the Alps, you can minimise the impacts you have on the environment and other visitors by following some simple rules.

Challenge yourself to leave as little trace of your visit as possible. Care for the Alps now – so they’ll be just as wonderful in the future.

To provide horse riders with guidelines to minimise the impacts of horses on park environments thereby helping to:

• prevent soil erosion
• minimise trampling and grazing impacts
• prevent the introduction and spread of noxious and exotic plants
• protect waterways
• protect significant and environmentally sensitive areas such as alpine moss beds and swamps, heath, snow grass and sub-alpine forest communities
• protect Aboriginal and European cultural sites
• minimise potential conflict with other users of the park

Where to ride

There are so many spectacular places to ride within the Alps. The Mt Buller, Bogong and Kosciuszko regions are great places to get up into the high country and experience the traditions of our historic culture.