Overview
This eight day holiday cycling the Ebro River is a spectacular journey along Spain’s longest, and adventure-filled artery. This is an easy to moderate tour starting in Campoo, close to the river’s source in the Cantabrian Mountains. Staying in a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses, as well as cycling through the famous La Rioja Wine, natural heritage highlights include the Valderredible Valley and peaks of Montes Obarenes Nature Park, and culture is at every turn stopping at ancient chapels, castles and Castilian towns en route.
- Castilian town of Medina de Pomar
- Wine-producing village of Haro
- Valley of La Rioja
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Campoo
Arrival in Santander or Bilbao and transfer to our hotel in Campoo, with time to test the bikes before dinner at the hotel.
- Accommodation: Pasada De Ormas (Campoo)or similar
Day 2: Campoo to Polentes | 59 or 97km
This stage takes you through some fabulous and unspoiled scenery. From the green mountain pastures of the Cantabrian Mountains, along the shores of the Ebro Reservoir, past the Monastery of Montesclaros to finally rejoin the Ebro in the Valley of Valderredible, with tonight’s stop in Polientes. Those on the short version follow the river direct to Polientes. The longer version circumnavigates the Ebro Reservoir.
- Cycling for the day: 59 or 97km
- Accommodation: Cuartelillo Viejo (Polentes) or similar
Day 3: Polentos to Valle de Zamanzas | 43km
Today’s ride takes you through Valderredible Valley. Visit the Romanesque church of San Martín de Elines and the churches carved into the rock, so characteristic of this region. The sides of the valley begin to close in until you find yourself in a magnificent canyon, where eagles and vultures soar overhead. Visit the fairytale village of Orbaneja del Castillo where cascades run through the village. Head on past Pesquera de Ebro to the hotel in Valle de Zamanzas.
- Cycling for the day: 43km
- Accommodation: Posada Molino Del Canto (Zamanzas) or similar
Day 4: Valle De Zamanzas to Medina De Pomar | 36km
Today’s is a beautiful route that follows a huge bend of the river through remote villages. An optional extension takes you to the dramatic village of Puentedey, built on a natural rock bridge over the River Nela. Tonight, you stay in the Castilian town of Medina de Pomar with its old Jewish Quarter and castle dominating the town and the surrounding landscape.
- Cycling for the day: 36km
- Accommodation: Hotel Romanca (Medina De Pomar) or similar
Day 5: Medina De Pomar to Frías | 58km
From Medina,head back to the Ebro. The route then takes you along a quiet country road running parallel to the river where the valley begins to open out again. After visiting the Romanesque church of San Pedro de Tejada, cycle through yet another canyon, which then opens out into the fertile valley around Frías. This is a spectacular village built around its castle with fine views of the Ebro Valley. Your hotel is in a small village close by.
- Cycling for the day: 58km
- Accommodation: Casa Rural Posada Colas (Frías) or similar
Day 6: Frias to Haro | 62km
As you leave Frías, the valley begins to close in again until you find yourself 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 small 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.
- Cycling for the day: 62km
- Accommodation: Hotel Arrope (Haro) or similar
Day 7: Haro to Laguardia | 25 or 50km
Cycle through endless vineyards and picturesque La Rioja villages, with the backdrop of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains and the Ebro never too far away. Your last stop is the medieval walled village of Laguardia where, as in Haro, wine is almost a way of life.
- Cycling for the day: 25 or 50km
- Accommodation: Hospederia De Los Parajes (Laguardia) or similar
Day 8: Departure from Laguardia
Transfer from Laguardia to Santander or Bilbao at 09.00.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Pasada De Ormas (Campoo)
- Cuartelillo Viejo (Polentes)
- Posada Molino Del Canto (Zamanzas)
- Hotel Romanca (Medina De Pomar)
- Casa Rural Posada Colas (Frias)
- Hotel Arrope (Haro)
- Hospederia De Los Parajes (Laguardia)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfasts are included and served at the accommodation. Packed lunches are available at an extra cost from the accommodation. You will have plenty of options to dine in one of the many restaurants in the villages.
Difficulty and terrain
Cycling is generally easy to intermediate as the route follows the River Ebro as it flows downstream. Some days involve some climbing when the route moves away from the river. (read more about difficulty grades) We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack. Helmets can be provided free of charge.
When to go
This trip is available from April-October.
The trip begins every Sunday. You can bring your own bike. Groups of four or more can choose any start day at no extra cost.
Getting there
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- All luggage transfers
- Transfers to and from hotels on arrival and departure days
- 7 Breakfasts
- Evening meal with wine on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
- Detailed digital information pack including GPS checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps
- GPS Tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative
Excluded
- Airfare and transfers not explicitly listed as included in the programme
- Lunches, evening meals on days 6/7, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate solo travellers on this tour
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
Bike rental
- Carbon road bike or carbon road e-bike rental
- Equipment for bikes: helmet (obligatory in Spain), rear luggage rack, pannier, odometer, pump, basic toolkit, 1.5-litre water bottle, and lock
- Equipment for road bikes: helmet (obligatory in Spain), odometer, pump, basic toolkit, 1.5-litre water bottle, and lock.
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