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La Rioja - The Descent of the River Ebro
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Key Information:
Tour Duration: 9
day(s)
Group Size: 1
- 20
people
Destination(s):
Spain
Specialty Categories:
Bicycle Touring
Season: April - October
Airfare Included: No
Tour Customizable: No
Minimum Per Person Price: 1330 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 1520 US Dollar (USD)
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La Rioja, home of the finest wines produced in Spain. A sea of vineyards dotted with ancient villages, castles and wine-producing bodegas, all with the limestone mountains of the Sierra de Cantabria in the background.
The River Ebro, longest river in Spain flowing from its source in the Cantabrian Mountains down to the distant Mediterranean. The very name of the Iberian Peninsula comes from this river – Iberia, the country of the Ebro.
See the Roman remains at Julióbriga, the unique rupestrian churches carved out of the rock in the valley of Valderredible, the beautiful Romanesque churches such as San Martín de Elines, the monastery of Montesclaros, and last but not least, enjoy a tour around one of the Rioja wine bodegas.
Our route follows what begins as a tiny mountain stream flowing through the green pastures of Cantabria, beautiful valleys, imposing canyons, vineyards, past pretty and unknown villages, witnessing the changes in the landscape and the river itself. A magnificent trip for those who wish to visit parts of Spain the tourists never see.
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Fontibre. We meet at Bilbao Airport and transfer to our hotel in Riaño. Test bikes. Includes: (B);
Day 2: Fontibre – Villanueva de la Nía. This stage takes us through some fabulous and unspoilt scenery. From the green mountain pastures of the Cantabrian Mountains, along the shores of the Ebro Reservoir, past the Monastery of Montesclaros surrounded by forests to finally rejoin the Ebro in the Valley of Valderredible and tonight’s stop in Villanueva de la Nía. Those on the short version follow the river direct to Villanueva. The longer version circumnavigates the Ebro Reservoir. Total distance: 44 km – 28 miles (short), 84 km – 53 miles (long). Includes: (B);
Day 3: Villanueva de la Nía – Pesquera de Ebro. We begin by cycling through the open valley of Valderredible. Take the opportunity to visit the Romanesque church of San Martín de Elines and also the churches carved into the very rock which are so characteristic of this region.
As we progress down the river, the sides of the valley begin to close in until we find ourselves in a marvellous canyon of ever-increasing dimensions where eagles and vultures soar overhead. Stop to visit the fairytale village of Orbaneja del Castillo with its cascades running through the village. As we approach Pesquera, the canyon of the Ebro reaches unbelievable dimensions before we finally reach the attractive village that will be tonight’s resting place. Total distance: 53 km – 33 miles (route extensions available). Includes: (B);
Day 4: Pesquera de Ebro – Quintana de Valdivielso. A beautiful route which follows a huge bend of the river through the most picturesque and undiscovered villages. Here we have the opportunity of walking through part of the canyon of the Ebro to meet our bikes again further downstream. This really is the Spain the tourists never see.
Take the optional longer route to visit the old quarter of Medina de Pomar with its castle dominating the town and the surrounding landscape. More eagles and vultures as we rejoin the river in yet another canyon. Tonight’s stop is in the little village of Quintana de Valdivielso. A set evening meal is included in the tour price.
Total distance: 37 km – 23 miles (short), 71 km – 44 miles (long). Includes: (B), (D);
Day 5: Quintana de Valdivielso - Frías. This route takes us along a quiet country road running parallel to the river where the valley begins to open out again. Visit the Romanesque church of San Pedro de Tejada and soon we are cycling through yet another canyon which then opens out into the fertile valley around Frías. This is a spectacular village built around its castle and enjoying fine views of the Ebro Valley. Our longer route takes a more roundabout trip through the valley of Frías.
Total distance: 37 km – 23 miles (short), 54 km – 34 miles (long). Includes: (B);
Day 6: Frías - Haro. As we leave Frías the valley begins to close in on us again until we find ourselves in another spectacular canyon. The road runs along the shores of a reservoir surrounded by high mountains and through short tunnels carved out of the rock. Further down the river there is a beautiful place to stop and bathe.
The route crosses the little town of Miranda del Ebro before passing through imposing peaks that signal the gateway to the enormous open valley of La Rioja. Night in the wine-producing village of Haro with a chance to drink a glass or two of Rioja in its birthplace. Our shorter route terminates in Miranda and we transfer to Haro. Total distance: 41 km – 26 miles (short), 58 km – 36 miles (long). Includes: (B);
Day 7: Haro - Laguardia. We begin Day Seven with a visit to one of the many famous bodegas in Haro complete with wine-tasting. We then cycle through endless vineyards and numerous picturesque villages of La Rioja with the backdrop of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains and the Ebro never too far away. Stop off to enjoy chuletillas al sarmiento - lamb chops barbecued over last year’s vine cuttings and washed down with Rioja wine produced on the surrounding vines. We finally reach the superb walled medieval village of Laguardia where, as in Haro, the wine is almost a way of life. Total distance: 43 km – 27 miles. Includes: (B);
Day 8: Rest day in Laguardia. Our final day is a rest day. Explore La Rioja. Take a trip to the capital, Logroño. Enjoy a tour round one of the bodegas with wine tasting included. Do some last minute shopping. Take it easy or take another last ride. Cycle up to the Balcony of La Rioja with its incomparable views over the valley and across to the neighbouring provinces of Soria, Navarra and Burgos.
Includes: (B);
Day 9: Transfer Laguardia – departure point. Transfer to departure point. End of trip. Includes: (B);
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Spain
Bicycle Touring
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