Level
From quiet, country cycle paths to stunning scenery and culinary delights, this RIOJA self-guided biking trip in the most well-known wine region of northern Spain is ideal for those who are passionate about wine and pedaling.
Lying along the south of the Ebro river, the La Rioja valley boasts a lush, rolling landscape dotted with picturesque medieval villages, fine wineries and avant-garde architecture. It truly is a feast for the senses!
Starting out in the Basque area of La Rioja you will stay in the beautiful town of Laguardia perched peacefully above the sprawling vineyards of the famous tempranillo grapes. From here you will pedal your way east across the rolling valley of the Ebro river with plenty of opportunity to visit wineries, admire beautifully preserved Romanesque churches and stroll around charming medieval towns such as Briones and Ezcaray.
The Camino de Santiago (St. James Way in English), the world’s oldest tourist trail, is the dividing line between the upper and lower Rioja regions so you will also get a glimpse of this famous pilgrim route with its numerous walkers and bikers.
Staying in some of the region´s most luxurious hotels and biking past many of its acclaimed wineries, this trip is the ideal introduction to one of Spain´s more undiscovered regions. Our self-guided biking itinerary allows you to enjoy things at your own pace and soak up your surroundings.
Day 1: Laguardia (Alava)
Accommodation: Hotel Hospederia Los Parajes
Laguardia is the unofficial capital of the Rioja Alavesa – the Basque section of La Rioja – and many of the 320 wine cellars dating back from the late 18th century are still functioning today. When approaching the town, the location on a hill matches your eye; it stands perched high, still partly surrounded by walls, towers and fortified getaways. After arrival, you’ll have a chance to sample some famous Rioja vintages in a nearby wine interpretation centre, located in a traditional Basque farmhouse.
Day 2: Abalos (Rioja)
Route: Riding through the Rioja Alavesa: 42,6 kms // + 714 mts
Accommodation: Hotel Villa de Abalos
After breakfast, we’ll hold the orientation session, where your bike will be specially fitted for you and you’ll be presented with all the documentation and things you need for your trip. Afterwards, it’s downhill (almost!) all the way as you skirt the banks of the Ebro River, winding your way through vineyards. That evening, you’ll stay in a converted 17th-century bishop’s palace and get to sample some of the region’s best cuisine.
Day 3: Abalos (Rioja)
Route: Discovering the winery towns: 44,1 kms // + 754 mts
Accommodation: Hotel Villa de Abalos
Almost all of today’s route follow small, quiet country paths along the Ebro River, giving you a chance to roam through some of the area’s most beautiful and historic little towns. We go through San Vicente de Sonsierra and see its internationally-famous Church of the True Cross; Haro, the town known for its fine red wines; and a fifteenth-century monastery that’s been converted into one of the region’s most memorable wineries.
Day 4: Santo Domingo Calzada
Route: Along the Camino de Santiago: 42,3 kms // + 581 mts
Accommodation: Parador Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Long acknowledged as the oldest tourist trail stretching throughout Europe, the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way, in English) is the dividing line between the upper and lower Rioja regions. After a leisurely tour along the Ebro, ride through the atmospheric town of Briones and head along quiet secondary roads to the town of Santo Domingo Calzada. This day’s purposely a little on the short side, in order to allow you to visit the surrounding towns and monasteries at your own pace; or to stretch your legs and take in some of the marvellous walking opportunities throughout the valley.
Day 5: Santo Domingo Calzada
Route: Along the valley of Oja river: 30,0 kms // + 257 mts
Accommodation: Parador Santo Domingo de la Calzada
We’ll take advantage of the peaceful biking path, formerly a rail trail, the Vía Verde del Rio Oja – fifteen kilometres of pure biking pleasure that stretch deep into the Oja Valley, ending in the charming town of Ezcaray.
Day 6: Departure
Transfer to Logroño, Laguardia (starting point) or to the train station of Miranda Ebro. Ask us about the best options to continue your trip through Spain.
Hotel Villa de Abalos
Located in the very heart of Spains La Rioja region, in the village of Ábalos.
This pleasantly-situated family hotel is surrounded by fields containing seemingly endless rows of the areas characteristic grape vines. Stone, wood and wrought iron combine to create an ambience that is both attractively modern and traditionally comfortable. The ground floor is the location of the communal areas, the reception desk, the lounges, the sun terrace, the garden and the bike park.
Hospederia Parajes
In the heart of Rioja-Alavesa, Laguardia, there is a unique place to live an experience around wine: The “Hospedería de los Parajes”.
A new hotel concept, where history and modernity combine to accommodate a range of rooms and services full of sensations. Passing through the main gate in the wall of Laguardia, you will find an exceptional building. Inside the walls we have built our hotel. Spa and a great restaurant.
Parador Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Comfortable guest rooms decorated with exquisite taste where you will find a warm, harmonious environment.
The hotel occupies a former 12th-century hospital near the cathedral, erected by St. Dominic to take in pilgrims traveling on the Way of St. James. It has a regal, elegant style, with majestic function rooms and a lobby filled with Gothic arches and wood coffered ceilings.
1.310,00€
*Coverage to guarantee a safe trip. An indispensable travelling companion provided by BIKE SPAIN TOURS for our clients. Nevertheless, we ask you to review the limited amount of such coverage included in our insurance, and to confirm with your insurer that you are adequately covered in any event.
(Included in our Guided tours)
| Dates | Any date up to 31 Oct 2024 |
|---|
We loved this trip. The scenery was outstanding and the route layout was good. We loved coming back to the same hotel for two nights and not having to repack every night. We both rate it a 10.
In all the hotels we enjoyed the accommodations and felt like we enjoyed the flavor of the town and community. Our favorite hotel in all respects was the hotel in Abalos. The food was amazing and our accommodations were roomy and very comfortable.
We upgraded to Ebikes. They were very comfortable and easy to use.
Just a great trip and it met all our expectations. When we return to Spain we will definitely check out another biking adventure and recommend your company without hesitation.
