This self-guided tour through the Sierra de la Demanda Natural Park provides a fantastic opportunity to visit the famous vineyards of the La Rioja region. You’ll begin your tour with a visit to the historic city of Burgos with its World Heritage Gothic cathedral before heading along the dedicated cycle tracks of the park where you’ll be surrounded by nature. You’ll continue along the valleys of the Najerilla river to the Rioja region spending each night in a different picturesque village. Spend two nights in San Vicente de la Sonsierra providing a chance to the visit famous wineries and taste the excellent wines of La Rioja. Finally you’ll head to Elciego via the beautiful medieval town of Laguardia.
Day 1: Arrival to Burgos
Your holiday begins in the northern plains of Castilla, as you arrive at the beautiful ancient city of Burgos. Take time today to explore this fabulous city and one of the most outstanding cathedrals of Spain. You’ll spend your first night in the centre of town, where your hotel overlooks this Gothic masterpiece.
Day 2: Burgos to Pineda de la Sierra approx. 47km
This morning collect your bike and set off along a lovely cycle path out of the city. Once out of town, you’ll join the famous “Camino de Santiago” pilgrim route for a few kilometres before cycling towards the mountains of La Demanda. This cycle track takes you into a stunning nature reserve, completely away from traffic and deep into dense oak woodland before reaching the picturesque village of Pineda de la Sierra where you’ll spend the night.
Day 3: Pineda de la Sierra to Viniegra de Abajo approx. 61km
Your ride continues along the cycle track once again for another day in this beautiful nature reserve. As you reach the end of the cycle track, you’ll join the quiet country roads that follow the river Najerilla downstream, amongst stunning landscapes through mountain villages before reaching your tiny rural hotel for the night in the beautiful, isolated mountain village of Viniegra.
Day 4: Viniegra to San Millan de la Cogolla approx. 44km
Today your route takes you downstream to reach the fertile region of LA Rioja. Discover the extraordinary Monastery of Yuso, in San Millán de la Cogolla with its beautiful architecture. Absorb the ancient, peaceful atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage Site (the birthplace of the first written record of the Castilian language).
Day 5: San Millán de la Cogolla to San Vicente de la Sonsierra approx. 34km
You’ll approach the heart of the wine growing region of La Rioja today as you cycle into the rich valley of the Ebro River, where the famed Rioja grapes are grown. You will cycle along the extraordinarily beautiful rolling hills amongst ancient vineyards to your next destination; San Vicente de la Sonsierra. You will spend the next two nights here allowing ample time to explore these landscapes.
Day 6: Round trip in Rioja Wine Region approx. 33km
Take a circular route cycling beside the river Ebro amongst beautifully manicured fields of vines allowing you to enjoy a fantastic vantage point that offers outstanding views over this “wine valley”. Visit the historic hilltop villages such as Haro, in the epicentre of the wine production area before taking the chance to stop at one of the wineries you come across to try some of the local award-winning wine!
Day 7: San Vicente de la Sonsierra- Laguardia- Elciego approx. 32km
Your journey continues from San Vicente de la Sonsierra through the medieval town of Laguardia which is just inside the Basque region. Explore some of the most famous wineries with their extraordinary architecture and take the opportunity to taste some of the best wines that this region has to offer. You’ll end your tour in Elciego where Frank Gehry’s iconic Marques de Riscal winery building is located.
Day 8: Departure
Return to Bilbao or Madrid from Logroño or extend your stay with an extra night to enjoy the cultural delights of Burgos or more wine tasting in Elciego.
Travel along predominantly tarmacked roads as you cycle this moderately difficult route over hilly terrain with an average of three ascents each day. The average daily distance covered is 42km with an average climb of 374m.
Total distance cycled: 251 km
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Burgos
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most of the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
We recommend flying to Burgos, Santander or Bilbao airport to reach the starting point of this Rioja cycling holiday.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport, or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point of our cycling holidays in Cantabria or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the Riojacycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after this cycling trip to Spain has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
7 nights’ accommodation.
7 breakfasts and 1 dinner on day 2.
Luggage transfers between hotels.
Telephone Emergency Support in English and Spanish. Mobile Tel: +34 689 257 820
Optional extras:
Bicycle hire.
About the Rental Bikes
This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes. Quality Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres are among the components that will ensure you have an enjoyable cycle tour.
You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation while. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.
Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)
Rental Bike PLUS
E - Bike (Colour may vary)
Accessories
If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided. Please ensure you bring any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.
All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.
You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.
Gearing information available on request.
Frame Sizing
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided, and you will need to bring your own to use.
We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!
Bike Hire Insurance
This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel, and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.
Electric Bike Hire
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging, and assistance up to 25 km/h. They have a range of around 120 km for each full charge.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on 0161 703 8161 for more information.
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0161 703 8161 to speak to one of the team.
Season | Date | Prices per person | Arrival Day |
Season 1 | 01.04 – 31.10 | £760 | Daily |
Single Room Supplement | All | ÂŁ300 |
Bike Type | Price |
Rental Bike | ÂŁ85 |
Electric Bike Upgrade | ÂŁ190 |
GPS | ÂŁ30 |
Location | Price DBL/BB | Single Supplement Price SGL/BB |
Burgos | On Request |
Date From | Date To | Price |
01 April 2022 | 31 October 2022 | ÂŁ0 |