2023
Bike tour through La Rioja

Bike tour through La Rioja

Bike and wine enjoyment in northern Spain

  Burgos – Pineda de la Sierra – San Millán de la Cogolla – Elciego

  • Wine region Rioja
  • Cathedral of Burgos, Sierra de la Demanda, monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla, wine culture museum Briones
  • Rental bike included!
  • Daily routes ●●●○○
  • Altitude profil ●●●●○

days
8

km / day avg.
40

Our bike tour through La Rioja not only leads you to the North of Spain, but also to one of the most meaningful wine growing cities in Europe. However, the famous region, that is mostly known for the Rioja, has also more to offer than the excellent wines. You start your bike tour through La Rioja in the historic town Burgos, that is known nationwide for its impressive cathedral. Through the Sierra de la Demanda, you cycle to the picturesque mountain villages Pineda de la Sierra and Viniegra de Abajo. With the monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla, you get to know the birthplace of the Spanish language and just a stone’s throw away, you will find yourself in the middle of traditional vineyards and their spectacular buildings. Relaxed, you cycle to the destination of your bike tour through La Rioja. Via the charming medieval Laguardia, you reach the popular Elciego, that is famous for its wine. Our bike tour through La Rioja is ideal for those, that want to get to know the smallest and not so popular regions in Spain. But also for those, who are not afraid to pedal strongly the one or the other time. An award for your struggles, you will find with the unique and gently curved landscape, but also along the way with detours to the vineyards and in the numerous wineries, that offer you enjoyable insights into the winegrowing.

Itinerary

  • Booking Code
    ES-SPBE7
  • Start / Destination
    Burgos / Elciego
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 255 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 30 and 60 km, Ø 40 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●○
Map of bike tour trough La Rioja

Day 1: Individual arrival in Burgos

Your bike tour through La Rioja starts in Burgos. Explore the medieval city center after your arrival at the hotel. Especially the Catedral de Burgos will catch your attention. The noble cathedral belongs to the most extreme churches of Spain. In the middle of the church is the grave of the Spanish national hero El Cid. Make a walk along the Rio Arlanzón in the evening and up to the ruins of the Castillo de Burgos, a castle complex that was built in the 9th century.

Burgos

Burgos

Day 2: Burgos – Pineda de la Sierra, approx. 50 km

After you got your bikes, the journey starts. Out of the city, you follow the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James, for a few kilometers. Then it goes uphill to the direction of the mountain range of the Sierra de la Demanda. Follow an old train street away from the traffic, that is accompanied by oak and beech forests. With the mountain village Pineda de la Sierra, you reach today’s destination. Very worth seeing is the church San Esteban. It belongs to the most outstanding Roman churches in the north of Spain.

Sierra de la Demanda

Sierra de la Demanda

Day 3: Pineda de la Sierra – Viniegra de Abajo, approx. 60 km

The second stage of your bike tour leads you into the region La Rioja. You cycle on small land roads, that lead you along the Rio Najerilla and the Mansilla artificial lake to the charming mountain village Viniegra de Abajo. The isolated village was presumably founded in the antiquity. After your arrival, make a walk and discover numerous palatial buildings, that, in contrast to the simpler old buildings of the former local cattle breeder found their place along the main road.

Viniegra de Abajo

Viniegra de Abajo

Day 4: Viniegra de Abajo – San Millán de la Cogolla, approx. 45 km

Along the Rio Ventrosa and the Rio Najerilla, you cycle on your bike tour through La Rioja to San Millán de la Cogolla, that is popular for its monastery complex. It consists in two monasteries, the San Millán de Yuso and the San Millán de Suso. Both are dedicated to the Holy Millán, who died more than 1500 years ago and is a popular place of pilgrimage. Besides numerous architectonic particularities, the town has a big historic meaning, as it hosts the first writings written in Spanish.

San Millán de la Cogolla - Monastery Yuso

San Millán de la Cogolla - Monastery Yuso

Day 5: San Millán de la Cogolla – San Vincente de la Sonsierra, approx. 35 km

Along gentle hills, you cycle to the valley of the Ebro today. It is popular for the cultivation of the famous Rioja grapes. Make a stop in Briones and visit the museum for wine culture. Back on your bike, you can see from afar the church Santa Maria la Mayor above today’s destination San Vincente. It is part of a building complex, whose origins go back to the 12th century. Visit the former defensive complex and enjoy the impressive view to the surroundings.

San Vincente de la Sonsierra

San Vincente de la Sonsierra

Day 6: Roundtrip in the wine region Rioja, approx. 35 km

Today, you make a trip to the surroundings of San Vincente de la Sonsierra on your bike tour through La Rioja. Not far from the river Ebro, you cycle, including a few uphill climbs, to the historic Haro. The city is the capital city of the wine growing area Rioja Alta. The long wine growing culture had its origins already in the time of the Romans. Try the excellent and award-winning red wines in the wineries and visit many wine cellars. Energetically, you cycle back to San Vincente de la Sonsierra.

Haro - Capital del Rioja

Haro - Capital del Rioja

Day 7: San Vincente de la Sonsierra – Laguardia – Elciego, approx. 30 km

Today, you get to know the south of the Basque Country and the wine region Rioja Alavesa. First, you cycle to the medieval town Laguardia. Surrounded by a city wall, the city center is on a hill in a region, that is characterized by grapevines. Visit the church Santa Maria and the picturesque old town, before you go back on your bike. Arrived at Elciego, a detour to the avant-garde hotel Margués de Riscal is worthwhile. It hosts a winery and originates from a draft of the famous architect Frank Gehry.

La Guardia - Castillo

La Guardia - Castillo

Day 8: Individual departure

Your bike tour through La Rioja already ends after breakfast. With pleasure we extend your stay in Llanes or Bilbao for an additional night.

Elciego

Elciego

Dates / prices / services

Season times and prices 2023

Arrival daily from 01.04.2023 to 31.10.2023

Bookable dates are shown in the booking form. The season is dictated by the arrival date.

Show more Show less
Season 1
01.04. - 31.10.

from969 €

All prices per person in a double room

Show more Show less

Services

  • 7 nights incl. breakfast, national 3*-level
  • Dinner in Pineda de la Sierra (1 x)
  • Luggage transport from hotel to hotel to Elciego, no limit on the number of pieces, max. 20 kg / piece
  • Rental bike (24 gear), Electric bike with supplement
  • Cycle route description with maps (1 x per room) – only available in English
  • Service-Hotline (7 days, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Minimum number of participants: 2 persons

Not inlcuded is the city or visitor's tax (if payable).

Show more Show less

For our younger cyclists

Due to the altitude profile we don't recommend this tour for children.

Show more Show less

Additional Services

Additional bookable services

Additional fee single room

199 €

All prices are per person

Rental Bikes

Rental Bikes

Mietrad
Mietrad
0 €
E-Bike
E-Bike
79 €

Types of rental bikes

  • 24-gear unisex bike
  • Electric bike
Fittings

Pannier, map holder, water bottle holder, luggage rack, milometer, bike lock, pump, repair kit, spare inner tube, multi-tool and rental helmet

Show more Show less

24-gear Rental Bike

included

E-bike

79 €

All prices are per person

Brief Information

  • Booking Code
    ES-SPBE7
  • Start / Destination
    Burgos / Elciego
  • Duration
    8 days / 7 nights
  • Length
    approx. 255 km
    Daily routes ●●●○○
    between 30 and 60 km, Ø 40 km
    Altitude profile ●●●●○
  • Route condition
    You mainly cycle on asphalted land roads, that lead you through partly hilly territories.
  • Note
    In Spain, helmets are compulsory for cyclists outside built-up areas. The helmet requirement does not apply on long climbs, in extreme heat or if you are medically instructed to do so. Please also note that this rule is interpreted differently from region to region.
  • Return journey
    The tour ends in Elciego, which does not have its own train station. The return journey from Elciego to Logroño is recommended by taxi, approx. 25 km, cost: approx. 30 €, then by train to Bilbao, duration approx. 2.5 hours.
  • Minimum number of participants
    2 people
  • Tour operated by
    Local cooperation partner
  • Mobility note
    This holiday is suitable to only a limited extent for people with restricted mobility.
    Please contact us if you have individual requirements.
  • Print version PDF

days
8

km / day avg.
40