A cycling holiday through gorgeous scenery in La Rioja, Spain
A wonderful cycling journey through the vineyards of the famed wine region, La Rioja.
"The accommodations were all fantastic, the breakfasts were hearty, the scenery was gorgeous"
From 1,134 € per person
Difficulty:Moderate
Details ...
Duration:7 nights, 8 days
Dates:April to 31st October
Start:Any day of the week
Undulating or hilly terrain with perhaps three ascents per day.
Cycling surface:Tarmac: 63%. Cycle track: 19%. Dirt road: 18%.
Average daily distance / climb:21 miles (35 km) / 1296 ft (395 m).
Description
This is cycling with a real touch of luxury: 4 star hotels, excellent restaurants and some of the best wines Spain has to offer.
- Two nights in the capital of La Rioja, Logroño, famous for its many tapas bars and quaint historic city centre.
- One day cycling along the ancient pilgrim route "El Camino de Santiago" in the company of walkers and cyclists from all over the world.
- Visit the spectacular Unesco World Heritage Site: the monasteries of Suso and Yuso, the birthplace of the Spanish language.
- Cycle in the heart of this celebrated wine growing area amongst vineyards, wineries and wine museums.
- One night in the stunning mountain town of Ezcaray, full of charm and original architecture.
- Explore the medieval walled town of Laguardia, perched on a hill-top with commanding views. Take the opportunity to visit the ancient churches with their treasured baroque paintings.
- Peaceful cycling along very quiet country lanes and tracks, with a glass of wine awaiting you at every turn!
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Logroño
Logroño, capital of la Rioja, is a small but vibrant city with a beautiful historic city centre and excellent restaurants and tapas bars. Soak in the atmosphere with a fabulous glass of Rioja.
Day 2: Logroño to San Millán de la Cogolla
Distance: 25 miles (40 km). Climb: 2087 ft (636 m).
Your morning starts with a short transfer to the starting point and handover of bikes. Here you will ride a section of the long distance pilgrim route El Camino de Santiago, which will take you to the beautiful town of San Millan de la Cogolla where you can visit two historical and cultural jewels: the Monasteries of Yuso and Suso, both Unesco World Heritage Sites.
Day 3: San Millán de la Cogolla to Ezcaray
Distance: 21 miles (34 km). Climb: 1371 ft (418 m).
After another chance to visit the monasteries in the morning, today is an easy cycle through rolling countryside to the historic town of Ezcaray, set in the foothills of the impressive Sierra de la Demanda mountains. Tonight you may choose to dine in the exclusive **star Michelin restaurant, Echaurren in Ezcaray.
Day 4: Ezcaray to Haro
Distance: 24 miles (38 km). Climb: 262 ft (80 m).
Another easy cycle, this time along a dedicated cycle lane, away from any traffic. Coffee stops in Santo Domingo de la Calzada and Casalareina will reveal two rich historic and artistic towns well worth exploring, before arriving to the capital of wine production in the Rioja region: Haro.
Day 5: Circular route Haro
Distance: 16 miles (26 km). Climb: 1142 ft (348 m).
There will be chances to visit wineries in Haro in the morning and evening, but today you will ride along a delightful loop amongst vineyards to take in the essence of this rich region. Alternatively you could use this day to rest from cycling and visit some of the vineyards that Haro is so famous for.
Day 6: Haro to Laguardia
Distance: 23 miles (37 km). Climb: 1939 ft (591 m).
Today you cycle along the river Ebro amongst vineyards, to reach the beautiful town of Briones where you can visit the Wine Museum of the Vivancos vineyard. From here, you'll enjoy the quiet country roads taking you through colourful landscapes until you reach the beautifully preserved medieval town of Laguardia.
Day 7: Laguardia to Logroño
Distance: 19 miles (31 km). Climb: 974 ft (297 m).
Soon after leaving Laguardia, you come to the town of El Ciego, famous for its Marques de Riscal vineyard and its spectacular building designed by architect Frank Gehry. You rejoin the river Ebro on winding country roads which take you back to Logroño.
Day 8: Departure
Why not treat yourself to an extra night or two to enjoy Logroño or to visit Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum?Travel
Frequent questions:
- Which airport should I fly to?
- Bilbao international airport or Madrid international Airport.
- How do I get to the Starting Point?
- Take a train from Bilbao to Logroño (2h:30m). Train from Madrid to Logroño (3h:30m approx)
- How do I get back?
- Train from Logroño to Bilbao (2h:30m). Train Logroño to Madrid (3h:30m approx).
Useful links:
Hotels
4 nights in 4 star hotels and 3 nights in superior rural accommodation.
Nights 1 and 7: Logroño
Centrally located, modern and comfortable hotel in Logroño´s city center. An ideal place to enjoy it´s lively tapas bars and restaurants and wonder around the historic center of town.
Night 2: San Millán de la Cogolla
A unique oportunity to stay in a unique hotel. Set in a wing of the 11th-century Yuso Monastery, declared World Heritage Site, this upscale hotel occupies the former monk´s quarters, the old-world rooms offer vintage wood furnishings and warm decor.
Other amenities include a refined restaurant, a gastro bar and a lounge, as well as a game room, and a terrace with views of the hills.
Night 3: Ezcaray
Originally a palace from the 18th century. This hotel has been lovingly restored from the original property, keeping the impressive, classical-style decor and antique furniture. Tranquil setting and garden.
Nights 4 and 5: Haro
14th century building steeped in history in the centre of the town.Since 1989, the building is a magnificent 4-star hotel with 62 spacious and functional rooms.
In the evening, the magnificent cloister of the Hotel Los Agustinos is the ideal place to enjoy a drink or a good book.
Night 6: Laguardia
A 17th-century Baroque mansion, Palacio de Viana. It features a restaurant serving traditional Basque and Riojan cuisine. The hotel maintains many charming, historic features and has antique furnishings.
The hotel’s greatest feature is the cavernous, vaulted wine cellar – full of the most exquisite wines from the surrounding Rioja region and beyond
Our Bikes
Touring bikes
Electric bikes
Designed to withstand heavy loads and provide high safety and comfort even after long hours of riding in the saddle, these adventure bikes will serve you well both on and off-road.
The downside to all these extra features and equipment is weight, but on a long distance tour, reliability, comfort and safety, win the day.
Characteristics:
- Time tested components to stay maintenance free during the tour.
- Broad range of gears.
- Stable carriers for luggage transport.
- Permanently mounted lights with a hub dynamo.
- Comfortable sitting position and straight, adjustable handlebars.
- Other comfort features include bike stand, mudguards and bottle holder.
- High bar and low bar models and sizes xs to XL.
Equipment provided:
- Mobile phone carrier
- Odometer
- Rear pannier
- Map carrier
- Helmet
- Water bottle
- Lock
- Pump
- Puncture repair kit
- Multitool set
Touring bikesElectric bikes
Not every type of electric bike is suitable to use in a cycling tour. Most e-bikes are actually designed for city cycling rather than long distances routes.
Experience allows us to choose e-bikes with the most suitable features for touring: reliability, simple operation, long battery life and short charge time.
Characteristics:
- Time tested components to stay maintenance free during the tour.
- Broad range of gears.
- Stable carriers for luggage transport.
- Permanently mounted lights with a hub dynamo.
- Comfortable sitting position and straight, adjustable handlebars.
- Other comfort features include bike stand, mudguards and bottle holder.
- Sizes S to XL.
Equipment provided:
- Odometer
- Rear pannier
- Map carrier
- Helmet
- Water bottle
- Lock
- Pump
- Puncture repair kit
- Multitool set
Prices
Basic price:
Per person in double room1,134 €
This includes:
- 7 nights' accommodation. 7 breakfasts.
- Transfer to starting point on day 2.
- Luggage transfers between hotels.
- Detailed maps with your trail clearly marked.
- Itinerary description, full of recommendations for things to do and places to visit, advice and suggestions and information about your accommodation, etc.
- GPS tracks and Navigation App to follow the itinerary on your phone.
- Emergency support.
- Activity insurance.
Single room supplement
382 €
Solo traveller supplement554 €
Extras:
Bicycle hire120 €
E-bike hire225 €
Other options:(Prices on request)
Extra night(s) in Logroño
Extra night(s) in Bilbao
If interested, please contact us with your plans, requirements and queries,
or simply use the next "Get a quote" section, which we would recommend.
Please note
An extra fee may be applicable in specific dates coinciding with bank holidays, local holidays or other events taking place.
An extra fee may be applicable in Hotel Los Agustino when prices are unusually high.
Get a quote
Reviews
- The accommodations were all fantastic, the breakfasts were hearty, the scenery was gorgeous
We had an amazing time biking the Best of Rioja!
The accommodations were all fantastic, the breakfasts were hearty, the scenery was gorgeous, and Jota from Nava Rent was excellent. There were a few times when we needed help wih our bikes and he was very quick to respond and help us each time.
Allison Haas, Canada.
- We had a fantastic holiday!
We had a fantastic holiday! Beautiful scenery, great villages and very nice hotels.
The only remark that we have is the front fender which fell off both the girls' bikes. This could have been dangerous, but luckily no injuries occurred and we took them off completely after this happened.
Gunnar Arneberg
- It is a well thought out trip!
"We have arrived in Logrono and the end of our bike trip today. We really enjoyed the trip, the routing, accommodation, etc.
It is a well thought out trip!
Ernest Bodie, Canada
- the monastery at Yuso was a massive highlight
We had a wonderful holiday cycling round La Rioja with Away from the Crowds! We had been looking forward to it for 2 years and we were not disappointed. The most positive aspects were:
- the amazing scenery, and the good variety of different scenery that we saw
- the monastery at Yuso was a massive highlight
- we loved Ezcaray and the accommodation you use there is very bike friendly, it has everything you need for minor repairs, inflating tyres etc - really appreciated
- everyone was very friendly and the arrangements went very smoothly
Other comments for your consideration:
- the itinerary was mostly accurate and easy to follow - we only got lost once - but we did find we needed to use both the written and GPS instructions to stay on track
- it was often hard to find food on the route - admittedly being there during ‘fiestas’ did not help - but we struggled to find places to buy lunch. Perhaps you could add a few more details on food stops in the notes. Or be clear that it is necessary to carry food with you. Running out of fuel before ascending into LaGuardia was not fun.
- Jose (who delivered our bikes on the first day) only turned up with large size helmets and had to return to the depot for smaller ones. However - he met us down the road at the first cafe stop to swap helmets, and when one member of our party fell ill, he turned up within 15 minutes to pick him up and take him to the accommodation - he really could not have done more, he was so helpful.
- the cycling is quite hard in parts, particularly the LaGuardia day we found very challenging, and we are relatively fit and cycle at least weekly (admittedly not up such steep climbs). This was the only day where we struggled and that was partly because we ran out of food and couldn’t find anywhere to buy anything - but we did wonder how older / less fit groups manage.
Overall it was such an amazing experience and we certainly hope to do another of your cycling holidays in the not too distant future!
Juliet Low, Australia.
Thanks Juliet. We really appreciate your feedback and since your comments we have modified certain parts of the route to avoid hills a much as possible and included information as to where to purchase food to picnic along the way.
Jaime, AFTC.
- best guidebook|notes we have ever had - in 40 European cycle trips
23 May 2022
excellent hotels, best guidebook and notes we have ever had in 40 European cycle trips and well chosen route.
- We loved exploring all the towns we visited.
We really enjoyed the cycling trip 'The best of La Rioja'; I had an electric mountain bike and my husband a normal bike. The organisation, routes, hotels (and especially their location) were excellent. We loved exploring all the towns we visited. The weather at the start of our trip was hot and the electric bike was really good when the hills were steep in the heat!
Overall it was an excellent holiday and we cannot fault the organisation of it.
Sarah Jones, UK.
- We were impressed with the bike route, the scenery, the information provided, the hotels, and the punctuality of the luggage transport.
Just a quick note to say that Laurie and I really enjoyed the bike trip in La Rioja.
We were impressed with the bike route, the scenery, the information provided, the hotels, and the punctuality of the luggage transport.
We took one day of rest (Laurie was tired and the forecast was calling for rain) and appreciated that that bike rental company could take us to the next town.
We hope to use Senderos y Pueblos again in the future. Please also let me know there is a place were we could leave a positive review.
Clifton Bell
Virginia, USA
CO₂ footprint offsetting
This holiday produces a carbon footprint of 0,4051 tonnes of CO₂. This includes taxis, luggage transfers and accommodation for every traveller.
We will compensate the CO₂ footprint for each booking through tropical reforestation projects in collaboration with the CeroCO₂ platform.
Additionally, you can also offset your own flight emissions by visiting myclimate. See the link below.
