Highlights of the Rioja by Bike
8 Days Starting in Ábalos, Spain and ending in Santo Domingo, Spain
Visiting: Ábalos, La Rioja, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, San Millan de la Cogolla, Ezcaray, Valle de Oja, Bilbao
Tour operator:
Tour code:
HRJ
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Spain's renowned Rioja region with the "Highlights of the Rioja by Bike" tour. This self-guided cycling adventure offers a unique blend of medieval hilltop villages, avant-garde wine estates, and the sweeping landscapes of the Ebro River Valley. Stay in carefully selected atmospheric accommodations, including historic buildings and a beautifully renovated Baroque monastery. Savor delicious Spanish gastronomy and some of Europe's finest wines as you cycle through picturesque vineyards, past grand churches, and along quiet country roads. With high-quality rental bikes, digital route maps, and luggage transfers, this tour ensures a seamless and enriching experience for cycling enthusiasts.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Ábalos, In The Northern Part Of La Rioja
Location: Ábalos
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in the village of Ábalos, where you'll spend the first three nights. Your host is a wine-maker and oenologist, whose first commercial wine won the prestigious Bacchus de Oro in 2006. If you arrive early there are a couple of way-marked walks nearby. The hotel serves a creative set menu for dinner, accompanied by estate-produced wines.
Day 2 : Circular Route Through La Rioja Passing Many Vineyards (35Km/21.7Mi)
Location: La Rioja
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your first cycling route takes in two of the major wine producing villages in La Rioja, Laguardia and Elciego. In 2001, Domecq – a giant in the wine and sherry industry – opened a modern winery in Laguardia: Ysios, designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. This was quite a revolution for the traditional wine-producing industry. Since then, other modern – and some very extravagant – bodegas have opened in the region. Top of list is the luxury hotel designed by Frank Gehry for Marques de Riscal Wineries, a wave of purple and grey titanium, close to historic Elciego. In addition to Laguardia and Elciego, you will pass several other villages of note, some situated on hilltops or beneath imposing churches, all with narrow winding lanes and tiny squares. While the route is technically easy on surfaced roads, there are 3 ascents of over 100m plus several smaller ones.
Cycling: ascent/descent 580m/1902ft
Villages along the way: Laguardia, Elciego, Navaridas, Eskuernaga
Day 3 : Loop Cycle Via San Vicente And Labastida (38-45Km/23-27Mi)
Location: San Vicente de la Sonsierra
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today varied route is along quiet country roads, passing vineyards and tiny villages, with grand churches and castles in ruins. Two places offer lovely historic town centres: San Vicente de la Sonsierra and Labastida. In San Vicente, there’s a large Medieval bridge over the River Ebro as well as several wineries and tasting rooms. There's an optional cycling excursion on unsurfaced tracks along the river where you can visit Haro, chief village of the wine-producing district known as “La Rioja Alta”. It has a lovely town centre and art museum. Return to Abalos for overnight.
Cycling: ascent/descent 285m/935ft
Day 4 : Cycle Past Monasteries Of Yuso And Suso To San Millan (39Km/24.4Mi)
Location: San Millan de la Cogolla
Accommodation Name: Baroque monastery or 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Abalos behind, you cross the Ebro and cycle south through gently rolling terrain with vineyards, fields of grain and orchards. The route takes you from the dry, hilly wine country into the green 'Sierra de la Demanda'. In the morning you can choose to visit the museum of the giant Vivanco winery in Briones, with its wine paraphernalia collection. At one point the route crosses the Camino pilgrimage route. The countryside is vast and beautiful. By way of Alesanco and Badarán, you reach the monasteries of Yuso and Suso, set in an open valley at the foot of the sierra. Your accommodation is either a Baroque monastery beautifully renovated into a hotel, situated on the village square in San Millan de la Cogolla or a characterful 3 star hotel in Badaran (dependent on availability). The cycling today has some not steep but quite long ascents.
Cycling: ascent 420m/1378ft, descent 300m/984ft
If booked at Badaran: 32km/20mi (& we suggest visiting the monasteries tomorrow morning).
Villages along the way: Alesanco, Badarán, Yuso, Suso
Day 5 : Continue To Ezcaray Via Santo Domingo De La Calzada (39Km/24Mi)
Location: Ezcaray
Accommodation Name: Family-run hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The cycle begins with a short stretch back to Badarán then ride along winding country roads toward Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town on the Camino de Santiago. Leaving the vineyards behind, you cycle into the grain-producing area of the region. A converted railway used to transport coal in the 19th century is now a surfaced cycling path which leads directly to Ezcaray. Here you'll spend the next three nights at a welcoming family-run hotel in the historical town centre. There is a wide selection of restaurants, bodegas and tapas bars in which to sample the local food and wines.
Cycling: 32 or 39km/19.8 or 24mi, ascent 400m/1312ft, descent 325m/1066ft
Villages along the way: Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Canas, Manzanares de la Rioja
Day 6 : Optional Walk By The Rio Oja (5Hrs) Or Cycle In The Ezcaray Valley (20Km/12.5Mi)
Location: Ezcaray
Accommodation Name: Family-run hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
If a break from the saddle is appealing, there's an optional walk for today, a return route along the Río Oja. If you prefer to stick with wheels, you can cycle into the foothills of the sierra to remote villages which have just a few resident farmers. The stone houses, tinkling cowbells, quiet woodlands and rushing streams come together to create a completely different landscape from the wine country you visited earlier in the week. It's a bumpy track along the left bank of the river and a tarmac road on the way back.
Cycle: 20km/12.5mi, ascent/descent 160m/524.8ft
or Walk: 20km/12.5mi on foot, ascent 330m/1083ft
Villages along the cycle way: Sierra de Demanda, Posada, Zaldierna, Urdante
Day 7 : Loop Cycle Past Fields Of Grain And Sunflowers Through The Valle De Oja (48Km/30Mi)
Location: Valle de Oja
Accommodation Name: Family-run hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your last day of cycling offers a circular route through waving fields of grain, first through the nearly flat Oja River Valley then up into the hills. Orchards, sunflowers and shady woodlands along the way. Optional visit to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Return route by way of the Via Verde to Ezcaray.
Cycling: 48km/30mi, ascent/descent 300m/984ft
Villages along the way: Valle de Oja, Santo Domingo
Day 8 : Trip Concludes With A Transfer To Santo Domingo Bus Stop
Location: Bilbao
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip concludes after breakfast with a transfer to Santo Domingo bus station to continue your onward travels. Optional transfer available from Ezcaray to Bilbao available - supplement applies, please ask our consultants.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Atmospheric 2-4 star hotels -
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Continental breakfasts are served and will often consist of breads, spreads, yoghurt, cheese, tea, coffee & juices.
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7 nights in atmospheric hotels
4 nights in 3-4 star hotels and 3 nights in 2 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.
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Digital information pack
Includes a smartphone app with maps and route book, GPS tracks.
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High quality rental bike
Equipped with panniers, lock, repair kit, and helmet. E-mountain bike available on request with a supplement.
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Luggage transfers
Luggage transfers on days 4 & 5, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess.
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Transfer on day 8
Transfer to Santo Domingo for onward travel by bus.
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Emergency hotline
Access to an emergency hotline for assistance.
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Travel to Ábalos and from Santo Domingo
Travel arrangements to Ábalos and from Santo Domingo are included.
What's Not Included
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
Lunch daily and 5 dinners, beverages are not included.
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Travel insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Guide
This is a self-guided cycling holiday, no guide is included.
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Solo traveler supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance fees not listed as included
Entrance fees to attractions not listed as included are excluded.
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Transfers not listed as included
Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage are not included.
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Handlebar phone holder (standard bike)
A phone holder to fix to the handlebar is recommended for following the route using the app/GPX files.
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Extra days of bike hire
Extra days of bike hire if adding additional nights to the tour are not included.
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Excess luggage
Supplement applies for excess luggage beyond the 20kg limit.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal items are not included.
Grading
The cycling distances range from 21 to 49km/13 to 30.5mi over flat to undulating terrain. The rides follow mostly well surfaced tarmac lanes and secondary roads with little traffic and a few dirt tracks. Inevitably, near the larger towns there is more traffic. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate comfortably. *For safety reasons, and in compliance with Spanish law, we insist that cycle helmets are worn at all times whilst cycling.
Accommodation
Atmospheric 2-4 star hotels. The hotels we use on this trip have been carefully handpicked. Staying in historic buildings that have been renovated to a high standard with nicely appointed rooms, dining in atmospheric restaurants with good local cuisine, and taking advantage of the facilities such as the gardens are important features of this experience.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Mode of Transport
Travel to Ábalos and from Santo Domingo. Transfer on day 8 to Santo Domingo (for onward travel by bus to eg, Madrid).
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in atmospheric 2-4 star hotels that have been carefully handpicked. These include historic buildings renovated to a high standard with nicely appointed rooms. You will also dine in atmospheric restaurants with good local cuisine and can take advantage of facilities such as gardens.
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What meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts and 2 dinners. Continental breakfasts are served and will often consist of breads, spreads, yoghurt, cheese, tea, coffee, and juices.
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What kind of bike will be provided for the tour?
A high-quality rental bike equipped with panniers, a lock, a repair kit, and a helmet will be provided. An e-mountain bike is available on request for an additional supplement and comes fitted with a smartphone holder.
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Is luggage transfer included in the tour?
Yes, luggage transfers are included on days 4 and 5. You are allowed one piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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What happens if I need to skip a stage during the tour?
If you need to skip a stage, transfers by taxi or public transport are available but are not included in the tour price.
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Is travel insurance required for this tour?
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for this tour.
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What should I carry during the cycling days?
During the cycling days, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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What is the difficulty level of the cycling routes?
The cycling distances range from 21 to 49km (13 to 30.5mi) over flat to undulating terrain. The routes follow mostly well-surfaced tarmac lanes and secondary roads with little traffic and a few dirt tracks. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a reasonable level of fitness.
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Are helmets required during the cycling tour?
Yes, for safety reasons and in compliance with Spanish law, cycle helmets must be worn at all times while cycling.
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What kind of support is available in case of emergencies?
An emergency hotline is available for support during the tour.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.