Along the Ebro River to La Rioja

Day 1: Arrival in Santander or Bilbao. Overnight in Campoo.
Day 2: Campoo - Polientes, 38 or 61 mi. (59 km or 97 km)
Day 3: Polientes - Pesquera de Ebro - Valle de Zamanzas, 27 mi. (43 km)
Day 4: Valle de Zamanzas - Medina de Pomar, 23 or 39 mi. (36 or 63 km)
Day 5: Medina de Pomar - Frías, 36 mi. (58 km)
Day 6: Frías - Haro, 39 mi. (62 km)
Day 7: Haro - Laguardia, 15 or 31 mi. (25 or 50 km)
Day 8: Laguardia

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way, you may find temporary deviations/detours necessary due to roadwork or other unforeseen circumstances that will not be reflected on your maps or route descriptions. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.

Day 1: Arrival in Santander or Bilbao
Arrival in Santander or Bilbao and transfer to the first hotel in Campoo, located in the high Ebro. You will enjoy a welcome drink with olives, a slideshow, an introduction to the tour, and bike fitting. Be sure to climb on your bikes for a short test ride before you begin your journey.

Preferred accommodation: Posada de Ormas

Day 2: Campoo - Polientes, 38 or 61 mi. (59 km or 97 km)
Your first stage leads 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 surrounded by forests, you will rejoin the Ebro in the Valley of Valderredible for your first overnight in Polientes. Dinner will be in your hotel. You can also opt for a shorter version that follows the river directly to Polientes. (The longer version circumnavigates the Ebro Reservoir).

Preferred accommodation: Cuartelillo Viejo

Day 3: Polientes - Pesquera de Ebro -  Valle de Zamanzas, 27 mi. (43 km)
The day begins with cycling through the open valley of Valderredible. You will want to take the opportunity to visit the Romanesque church of San Martín de Elines as well as the churches carved into the very rock, a strong characteristic of this region. As you progress down the river, the sides of the valley begin to close in until you reach a marvelous canyon of ever-increasing dimensions, where eagles and vultures soar overhead. The fairytale village of Orbaneja del Castillo with its cascades running through the village will beckon you for a reprieve. In Pesquera the Ebro, its Canyon soars above the river to unbelievable dimensions. Dinner will be enjoyed in your hotel. Overnight in Valle de Zamanzas. 

Preferred accommodation: Posada Molino del Canto

Day 4: Valle de Zamanzas - Medina de Pomar, 23 or 39 mi. (36 or 63 km with extension to Puentedey)
The route is stunning today, following a huge bend of the river through the most picturesque and undiscovered villages that seem straight out of a romantic ballad, even the humblest of which contains a palace and Romanesque church.  An optional extension will lead to the dramatic village of Puentedey, built on a natural rock bridge over the Nela River. Overnight this evening is the Castilian town of Medina de Pomar with its old Jewish quarter and its castle dominating the town and the surrounding landscape. Dinner will be had in your hotel.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Romanca

Day 5: Medina de Pomar - Frías, 36 mi. (58 km)
From Medina, you will head back to the Ebro, following a quiet country road that runs parallel to the river and the valley begins to open up again. The Romanesque church of San Pedro de Tejada is well worth a visit. Soon, you will be cycling once again through another canyon, which then opens out into the fertile valley around Frías. This is a spectacular village built around its castle with spectacular views of the Ebro Valley. Your accommodation is located close by where dinner will be had, also.

Preferred accommodation: Casa Rural Posada Colás

Day 6: Frías - Haro, 39 mi. (62 km)
Leaving 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 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. Be sure to sample a glass or two of Rioja Wine in the very place of its origin.

Preferred accommodation: Hotel Arrope

Day 7: Haro - Laguardia, 15 or 31 mi. (25 or 50 km)
Today you 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. The day's destination is the walled medieval village of Laguardia where, as in Haro, wine is almost a way of life!

Preferred accommodation: Hospedería de los Parajes

Day 8: Laguardia
Transfer from Laguardia to Bilbao at approximately 9 am. It is important to remember that at the end of the tour, the transfer time from Laguardia to Bilbao is 90 minutes, so allowing for a 2-hour check-in time, departure time from Laguardia would be three and a half hours before flight time. Keep this in mind for departing flight times. Perhaps you would rather book an extra night after your tour in Bilbao.

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Accommodation

You will stay in five quality country-inn style establishments that are small and two hotels in Haro and Laguardia. On each day’s details, you will find the name of the preferred hotel. If the preferred hotel is not available, a hotel of equal standard will be offered.

Bicycles

Trekking Bike

Trek FX - male and female frames

• 27 speed
• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Flat pedals (Shimano & LOOK are available at no charge)
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano gearing
• Bontrager Sport saddle

Accessories

• Helmet (obligatory)
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock

Road Bike

Cube Attain GTC - male and female frames

• 22-speed Shimano gearing
• Full carbon frame
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Flat pedals (Shimano & LOOK are available at no charge)
• Bontrager tires
• Shimano gearing
• Bontrager P3 Verse Comp

Accessories

• Helmet (obligatory)
• Seat postbag
• Odometer
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Tandem Bike

Dawes Duet Tandem

• Alloy frame
• Shimano 21 speed
• Dawes custom saddles
• Flat pedals (Shimano & LOOK are available at no charge)

Acessories

• Helmets (obligatory)
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottles
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

Electric Bike

Various models

Accessories

• Helmet (obligatory)
• Handlebar bag
• Odometer
• Rear luggage rack
• Choice of rear rack bag (5 liters) or pannier (40 liters)
• Pump
• Spare inner tube
• Water bottle
• Bike lock
• Basic tool kit

*Equipped with flat pedals (Shimano & LOOK are available at no charge)