Hydra Mules, Donkeys & Horses
Photo credit: © Kleopatra Haritou. Of Maria Hanson's pet donkey Stasia, who lives at The Hydra Windmill.
It's no gimmick, Hydra really does depend entirely on equine power!
Mule
Donkeys
Horse
The infrastructure and economy of Hydra Island Greece depends almost entirely on Equine Power!
Mules are the heavy loaders and are used to transport goods such as luggage, plants, white goods, furniture, shopping and building material. Horses tend to be used to transport people but only occasionally shopping or a couple of suitcases.
Donkeys aren't as many on Hydra as they used to be and tend to be kept as pets or for personal transportation as they can't carry the enormous loads that mules can.
The mules and horses that are available to ride or to (transport luggage) are found in the East corner (Alpha Bank) of the harbour.
The rates charged for various destinations, whether to carry your bags to a hotel/house or you want a ride around town, are published on the back of the notice board (next to the bins) opposite the Alpha Bank.
Luggage Transfer
If you are staying in a house rental, the owner/manager of the house will most likely have arranged for their preferred muleteer to be available. Of course this means that you MUST let them know what time you will land on the island and what mode of transport you will be taking (Hellenic Flying Dolphin/Cat, water taxi, passenger ferry from Metochi or even if you are landing by helicopter on Kivotos Islet!)
If you are staying at a hotel/guest house, then it is likely that when you get off the dolphin you will see a handcart operator holding a card up with the name of the place you are staying at. Say hello and let them load your bags in their cart then follow them.
If however you are not being met and you need to get your bags to a hotel, you will have to walk to the corner of the harbour and hire a mule (if your bags are too heavy to carry or you don't know where the accommodation is).
Mule & Horse Town Rides
Rides around the town are a popular activity if you want a short novelty ride. The pricing causes a bit of confusion so here is a summary:
A short ride of 15 minutes round the town will cost €15 per mule (only one person on the mule!)
If there is a group of 20 or more people, the price of a 15 minute ride comes down to €10 per mule (again only one person on the mule).
All rides start with each person mounting from the steps on the corner of the Alpha Bank (it's easier and less ... personally intrusive than being hitched onto the mule by the muleteer).
The town ride takes you through the back streets to the football field and back.
If you want to stay within the town and ride for a bit longer, there is a 25 minute trek which will cost you €20 that takes you up to the wells at Kala Pigadi and back.
As the saddles are the traditional wooden variety on most of the town mules/horses, to be realistic, you won't be comfortable enough to do a longer excursion.
If you do want to go further, for example up to one of the monasteries, then you can pre-book a trek with Harriet's Hydra Horses (with much more comfortable saddles.)
Harriet's Hydra Horses
Please note that you won't find Harriet in the port. You must contact her and pre-book. You'll find a map on her page with directions to her stables.
Guided horse treks to Hydra’s mountains, monasteries & beaches with Harriet Jarman - horse trekking on
Hydra Island.
- Fluent English & Greek spoken
- Fully registered, inoculated, licensed & insured
- Fully trained trekking horses
- Comfortable western style riding saddles & tack
- BS Safety helmets (adults & kids)
- Entry to monasteries by pre-arrangement
- Every trek personalised for 1 - 5 people
- Pre-booked group treks for 6 - 100 people
- Bridal horse for weddings
