Horseback riding at the Thompson Ranch

Kula, Maui

Maui's rural ranch lands amidst the slopes of Mount Haleakala are lush and green and referred to commonly as "Upcountry". Thompson Ranch, nicknamed "the best little ranch on Maui", encompasses 1400 acres of undulating pasture lands with distant views stretching downslope to the coast 4,000 feet below, and the ocean beyond. Taking a horseback ride with the Thompson family on this "working" ranch opens a door to a part of Maui few ever see, a glance into Maui's illustrious ranching past, while providing an opportunity to experience some deep country at a leisurely pace. At a Glance: Highlights: Enjoy Maui's "big sky" country while going horseback riding on a family-operated ranch. This Upcountry adventure gives you rare horseback access to 1400 mountainous acres and a chance to slow down, relax, and enjoy the ride. Activity level: Easy to moderate, depending on your horse skills. Location: Kula, Maui Options: Couples or individuals can join with a few others for a group ride. Maximum group number is 4-5 adults and 2 kids.  A private ride can be arranged for your family group. Amazingly kids as young as 6 can go riding, this is a rarity. Route:  2-2.5 hr adventure up to the mountain cabin and back down the same trail.  30 min snack break at the cabin, potato chips, water and apple juice provided by the ranch. Hazards!: Riding on the uneven steep terrain makes this activity stressful for those with back issues. Helmets are optional but recommended. Reservations: Required Cost: $100 to 150 per person depending on group size. The Thompson family hosts this horseback ride and ranch experience. Grazing 60 heads of cattle, up to a thousand goats, chicken and turkeys are the ranch's mainstay, but the guided ride business is a passion of the Thompsons' younger generation and their love of horsemanship. This is not your standard commercial horseback ride where the visitors arrive by the busload.  Instead the feel to this horse riding adventure is more intimate, you are treated like family, and the ranch setting makes the ride feel like a 100-year step back in time. One hundred years ago this ranch looked much like it does today, and the sale of this land to the Thompson family was conditioned on it staying undeveloped and raw. The trails you ride are rugged enough to engage the experienced rider, and the horses are well-trained and experienced enough to accommodate those with little or no horse experience. The horses are high caliber as they also work the cattle and are well cared for in the process. The spirited guides are steeped in horse lore and speak passionately about the ranching operations and preservation of native forest species. The rides run a little over two hours starting at the stables at 4,000 feet and proceeding uphill through the ranch lands and forest. Eventually you take a break at a wilderness cabin at 5,000 feet of elevation, with views of Haleakala and rolling…