La Rioja: Descent of Ebro River 6 stages

from 1.025€/person
50 km / day 50% Difficulty 6 stages / 7 nights / 8 days
N3-Highlights

Highlights

Follow one of the most important rivers of Spain: the Ebro (Iberian Peninsula).

Explore the fantastic cultural and natural heritage related to this river: dams, mills, canals, cascades, canyons, etc…

Get to know some of the most important wine producing cellars of the popular Rioja wine.

Meet local and friendly people.

Discover a hidden part of Spain, still very unknown to tourists.

N3-Description

Bike route description

Ebro River flows 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.

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. Finally we arrive in 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.

A magnificent trip for those who wish to visit parts of Spain the tourists never see.

N3-Must-do

Must do & must sees

Delight one of the finest wines produced in Spain: the Rioja wine.

Stop to visit the fairytale village of Orbaneja del Castillo.

Trip Itinerary

Arrival day
Arrival in Santander or Bilbao and transfer to the hotel in Campoo (Transfer included in the price). Test Bikes.
Stage 1: Campoo – Polientes (66 Km)
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 Polientes. Those on the short version follow the river direct to Polientes.

The longer version circumnavigates the Ebro Reservoir (103 Km)
Stage 2: Polientes – Pesquera de Ebro (43 Km)
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.

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.
Stage 3: Pesquera de Ebro – Medina de Pomar (36 Km)
A beautiful route which follows a huge bend of the river through the most picturesque and undiscovered villages.

An optional extension takes us to the dramatic village of Puentedey, built on a natural rock bridge over the River Nela (Route extension to Puentedey – 63 Km).

Tonight we stay in the Castillian town of Medina de Pomar with its old Jewish quarter and the castle dominating the town and the surrounding landscape.
Stage 4: Medina de Pomar – Frías (56 Km)
From Medina, we head back to the Ebro, the route then 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.
Stage 5: Frías – Haro (62 Km)
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.

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. Tonight is spent in the wine-producing village of Haro, with a chance to drink a glass or two of Rioja in its birthplace.
Stage 6: Haro – Laguardia (50 Km)
We 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.

We finally reach the superb walled medieval village of Laguardia where, as in Haro, wine is almost a way of life. Distances range short – 25 Km.
Departure day
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transfer back to Santander or Bilbao (Transfer included in the price).
Map of the Descent of the Ebro river and La Rioja bike tour

Pricing Chart 2021

Unique Season
Arrival day: every Sunday
1.025€
  • per person in double room B&B
  • Single room supplement
    284 €
  • Hybrid bike rental (adult)
    105 €
  • Tandem bike rental
    169 €
  • Electric bike rental
    169 €
  • Road bike rental
    150 €

What's included?

N2-Self-guided

Self-guided tours

Roadbook and maps.

N2-bestpoke-icon-your-area

Tourist information

General information of the area.

N2-bestpoke-icon-hotels

Accommodation

7 nights accommodation in double room in B&B.
Evening meal on nights 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.

Icona maletes

Luggage transfer

Luggage transfer between hotel to hotel.

N2-bestpoke-icon-skills

24h assistance

24 hours hotline assistance during the trip.

N2-Gitona-destination

Taxi transfers

Transfers to and from hotels on arrival and departure days.

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