The Ultimate Wine Tour of Rioja

Logroño, the vibrant capital of the Rioja region, is nestled along the majestic Rio Ebro. Take the opportunity to explore the historic and culinary delights of Logroño.

A visit to the Museo de La Rioja comes highly recommended, offering insights into the region’s rich history and culture. As evening approaches, make your way to Calle del Laurel, the heart of Logroño’s culinary scene. Here, you can experience the city’s renowned pincho and tapas bars, immersing yourself in the local atmosphere and indulging in some of the best flavours Rioja has to offer. This vibrant district is the perfect introduction to the culinary excellence that awaits you on this journey through Spain’s esteemed wine country.

Your first cycling day starts with the iconic Camino de Santiago, departing Logroño through the Puerta del Camino, leading into the vast vineyards that mark Rioja’s landscape. Tranquil, narrow roads meander through charming sandstone villages, guiding you towards the grandeur of the Sierras de Cebollera.

By mid-morning, you’ll arrive at the quaint village of Ventosa, known for its panoramic vistas across the Ebro and as a historic resting spot for travellers. After a refreshing break, your journey continues west from Ventosa, with a gentle descent along winding roads into Nájera. Here, lunch awaits by the serene Rio Najerilla, offering a picturesque setting to refuel.

The afternoon ride weaves through medieval villages like Codovin and Villar de Torre, leading up to a final ascent towards the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the San Millan de Cogolla monasteries. Nestled beneath San Lorenzo’s imposing peaks, your evening in San Millan de Cogolla promises tranquillity and inspiration, surrounded by architectural and natural beauty.

Leaving the hotel, you’ll be greeted with awe-inspiring views of the Ebro Valley and the Cordillera Cantábrica as you venture deeper into the La Demanda Mountains. The route takes you through rolling foothills and verdant farmlands before descending into the picturesque Najarilla Valley. The journey along the valley is dramatic, with the road hugging the landscape and offering views of the Anguiano monastery.

A coffee break awaits high above the rushing river, a perfect vantage point to possibly spot vultures gliding in the skies above. The farther you travel from the Ebro Valley, the more enveloped you become by the grandeur of the surrounding mountains, leading towards the serene Mansilla reservoir.

From the reservoir, a secluded road climbs through a narrow canyon, ushering you into the heart of the Demanda mountain range and across into Castille y Leon province. The route unfurls into a stunning glacial valley before arriving in Neila. The final leg of the day takes you higher into the forested Sierra and over the Collado pass, culminating in a breathtaking descent to Quintanillar de la Sierra. This secluded village, nestled in a vast wilderness, offers a tranquil retreat to end your day, surrounded by nature’s profound silence and beauty.

Embarking from Quintanillar de la Sierra, your route today delves further into the captivating La Demanda mountain range. The initial climb serves as a warm-up, soon rewarding you with a thrilling 20km descent through a narrow, forest-clad valley, blending the challenge with the exhilaration of speed and natural beauty.

Upon reaching the valley floor and the Rio Pedroso, a well-deserved coffee break awaits before you tackle the next ascent. This segment of the road dramatically winds its way up, offering multiple switchbacks that lead to the summit, followed by another rewarding 20km descent to the Uzquiza Reservoir.

The journey continues through pine forests, ascending once more towards Pradoluengo. Nestled amidst wildflower pastures and the embrace of towering mountains, Pradoluengo provides a picturesque setting for lunch, allowing you to soak in the serene beauty of your surroundings.

The final stretch of the day descends through the Ciloria and Rio Oja valleys, guiding you to Ezcaray. This quintessential Riojan village, with its charming cobbled streets and vibrant plazas, is celebrated for its culinary delights, offering a perfect conclusion to a day of rigorous cycling. Ezcaray’s reputation for exquisite cuisine ensures an evening of gastronomic pleasure, mirroring the richness of the journey you’ve undertaken.

Your journey from Ezcaray begins with a gentle descent down the Rio Oja valley, where the landscape, characterized by striking limestone cliffs, gradually opens up as you approach the vast plains of the Ebro. The route takes you through diverse scenery, including woodlands and wheat fields, leading to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Here, you intersect with the Camino Santiago once more, and if time permits, exploring the town’s medieval streets and its 12th-century cathedral is a worthwhile detour.

Continuing through the vineyards, your next stop is Haro, the heart of the Riojan wine industry. Haro boasts some of the world’s most renowned wineries, a legacy that spans over 150 years. The ride from Haro winds through the picturesque wine village of La Bastida, ascending into the Sierra de Cantabria and across into the Basque Country’s Alava province.

Perched atop a rock and encircled by well-preserved fortressed walls, Laguardia is a medieval village whose tunnels, originally built for storage and refuge, now serve as cellars for wine production. Before dinner, you’ll venture into a 13th-century bodega nestled beneath the village for a captivating tour and wine tasting, immersing yourself in the rich winemaking tradition that defines this region.

As dawn illuminates Laguardia’s golden sandstone, your final day of cycling begins with the Sierra de Cantabria as your backdrop. Griffon vultures soar above as you ascend through vineyards, passing by bronze-age dolmens that dot the landscape, a testament to the region’s ancient heritage. The journey takes you past the village of Lapoblacion and into Navarra, known for its tranquillity and smooth roads, setting the stage for a delightful 15km descent down the Linares valley.

A Spanish coffee offers a welcome boost for the day’s last significant climb, a 5km ascent past the majestic Santuario de Codés. This effort rewards you with a thrilling 20km ride through deciduous forests and wheat fields, eventually leading you back to the vineyard-covered foothills.

The final kilometres after lunch mark the conclusion of your journey, bringing you full circle to Logroño. Here, a celebratory evening awaits, with the chance to indulge in local wines and explore the tapas bars along Calle Laurel, celebrating the completion of an unforgettable journey through the heart of Spanish wine country.

As the morning light filters through the streets of Logroño, it’s time to say farewell to the landscapes that have been our companions, the roads that have challenged and delighted us, and the cultures that have welcomed us. Though we depart, the memories of vineyards, golden wheat fields, and shared moments of joy remain, calling us back to explore once more. Until we meet again on another adventure, carry the spirit of this journey with you. Safe travels and adiós, until our paths cross again.