Spain Self Guided Biking / La Rioja

Start on any Sunday April – October

Tours run Sunday to Sunday. La Rioja Spain Bike Tours are self-guided or guided tours traveling through through the green pastures and beautiful valleys, on quiet roads from the mountains to the vineyards. Overnight in truly charming accommodations.

We begin our route along this tiny mountain stream through the green pastures and beautiful valleys of Cantabria. We’ll witness the changes in the river as it creates imposing canyons and finally we arrive in La Rioja, home of the finest wines produced in Spain. With the limestone mountains of the Sierra de Cantabria in the background, we’ll be surrounded by a sea of vineyards dotted with ancient villages, castles and wine-producing bodegas. This is a magnificent trip for those who wish to visit parts of Spain that few tourists ever see.

Charming accommodations with breakfasts as well as most dinners are included. Each day your luggage will be transferred to your hotel, so you can travel light bringing only what you will need during the day.

We offer this tour as a self guided tour for groups of 2 or more people who want the simplicity and spontaneity of riding on their own without the services of a guide. You will have a detailed route map, daily luggage transfers and great lodging waiting for you each evening.

2024 Price: From €1240 Euros pp double occupancy

Single Supplement: €300 Euros
Supplement for start dates other than Sunday: €330 Euros per group

Bike Rentals – Hybrid – €130 euros, E-bike hire €220 euros, Carbon Road bike – €185 euros

Price Includes:
  • 7 nights hotel accommodations with breakfast
  • Route Notes & Maps, cell phone support when needed
  • Luggage Transfers
  • 5 evening meals with wine: Campoo, Polientes, Pesquera de Ebro, Medina de Pomar, Frías
  • Transfer to Bilbao at the end of the tour
Price Does Not Include:

International flights, 2 dinners, lunches, gratuities

Tour Difficulty

This trip is a moderate trip. The terrain is hilly and each day you can expect 35 to 60 km (20 – 36 miles) of riding. Additional distance can easily be arranged for riders who want an extra challenge.

  • Difficulty: Moderately Hilly
  • Road Conditions: Smooth & Paved
  • Recommended Bike: Recommended Bike: Hybrid or Road

Tour Highlights

  • Fabulous scenery
  • Cultural heritage
  • Incredible food and wine

Sample Itinerary

PLEASE NOTE: Exact distances may vary from those stated due to local road conditions or decisions made by tour leaders. Additional mileage can be arranged for those who want more riding.

Day 1

We meet in Santander and transfer to our hotel in Campoo. Bike fitting and short ride to test bikes.

Day 2 – Fontibre – Polientes

This stage takes us through some fabulous and unspoilt scenery. From the green mountain pastures of the Cantabrian Mountains, we’ll ride along the shores of the Ebro Reservoir. We rejoin the Ebro in the Valley of Valderredible and tonight’s stop is in Polientes. Distance: 59 km (For a longer ride, you can circumnavigate the Ebro Reservoir – 97 km)

Day 3 – Polientes – Pesquera del Ebro

We begin bycycling 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 marvelous canyon 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. Distance 43 km

Day 4 – Pesquera del Ebro – Medina de Pomar

This beautiful route 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. 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. 35 km (63 km – with route extension to Puentedey)

Day 5 – Medina de Pomar – Frías

From Medina, we head back to the Ebro, The route then takes us along a quiet country road running parallel to the river. We can stop for a visit to 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 that enjoys fine views of the Ebro Valley. 58 km

Day 6 – Frías – Haro

As we leave Frías 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. We’ll visit one of the many famous bodegas in Haro, complete with wine tasting. 62 km

Day 7 – Haro – Laguardia

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. Distance 50 km

Day 8

After breakfast, 9 am transfer to Bilbao