Discover the 10 best cycling routes in La Rioja, from vineyard roads and medieval villages to monasteries, mountain climbs and the Ebro Valley.
Discover La Rioja by Bike
La Rioja is one of northern Spain’s most rewarding cycling destinations.
Known around the world for its wine, the region offers much more than vineyards and wineries. Quiet country roads, medieval towns, mountain valleys, historic monasteries and spectacular landscapes make La Rioja an ideal destination for road cycling, gravel riding and e-bike adventures.
There is no single way to experience La Rioja by bike.
Some cyclists come for the vineyards and wine. Others are looking for challenging mountain climbs, while many prefer a combination of cycling, history, gastronomy and local culture.
For this reason, the routes below should be seen as our recommendations rather than fixed itineraries.
At Vamos Bike Tours, we can adapt each route to your interests, cycling level, available time and preferred type of bike. We can also combine different sections to create a completely private cycling experience designed specifically for you.
1. The Rioja Wine Route
Vineyards, wineries and the heart of Rioja
The Rioja Wine Route is one of the best ways to discover the landscape and culture that have made La Rioja famous around the world.
The route can take you through some of the most important wine-producing areas of Rioja, passing vineyards, traditional villages, historic wineries and beautiful countryside.
Depending on the route, you can include places such as:
- Haro
- Briones
- San Vicente de la Sonsierra
- Laguardia
- Elciego
- Labastida
- Rioja Alta
The cycling itself can be relaxed and enjoyable, with plenty of opportunities to stop at wineries, enjoy local food and discover the villages along the way.
Ideal for: cyclists interested in wine, gastronomy, culture and scenic riding.
🍷 A perfect route for combining cycling with wine tasting and local experiences.
2. The Monasteries Route: Nájera, Tricio, Cañas, San Millán and Valvanera
A journey through more than 1,000 years of history
For cyclists interested in history, culture and spectacular landscapes, The Monasteries Route is one of our favourite ways to discover La Rioja.
This route connects some of the region’s most important religious and historical sites, starting in the Najerilla Valley and continuing towards the mountains of the Sierra de la Demanda.
Depending on the interests and fitness level of each group, the route can include Santa María la Real in Nájera, the Roman heritage of Tricio, the Monastery of Cañas, the monasteries of Suso and Yuso in San Millán de la Cogolla, and the mountain monastery of Valvanera.
Santa María la Real – Nájera
The route can begin in Nájera, one of the most important historic towns in La Rioja.
The Monastery of Santa María la Real is closely connected with the medieval Kingdom of Nájera-Pamplona. Its Royal Pantheon and impressive Cloister of the Knights make it one of the most important monuments in the region.
Tricio and Santa María de los Arcos
From Nájera, the route continues towards Tricio, an area with an important Roman past connected with the ancient settlement of Tritium Magallum.
The Church of Santa María de los Arcos is particularly fascinating because of its Roman origins and the architectural remains incorporated into the building.
It provides a fascinating link between the Roman and medieval history of the Najerilla Valley.
Monastery of Cañas
The next stop is the Monastery of Santa María de San Salvador de Cañas, a beautiful Cistercian monastery dating from the 12th century.
Its Gothic architecture and extraordinary windows make it one of the most impressive religious buildings in La Rioja.
Suso and Yuso – San Millán de la Cogolla
The route then continues towards San Millán de la Cogolla, home to the monasteries of Suso and Yuso, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Suso is the older monastery, while Yuso is the larger monastery located below it.
Together, they represent one of the most important cultural sites in northern Spain and are closely associated with the early development of written Spanish.
Valvanera – Into the Sierra de la Demanda
For cyclists looking for a more challenging and spectacular experience, the route can be extended into the Sierra de la Demanda towards the Monastery of Valvanera.
Surrounded by forests and mountains, the Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Valvanera offers a completely different landscape from the vineyards around Nájera.
The road gradually leaves the agricultural landscapes of the Najerilla Valley and enters a much more mountainous environment, making this section particularly attractive for cyclists who enjoy climbing and mountain scenery.
Valvanera is also an important religious destination in La Rioja and is home to the patron saint of the region.
A route that can be adapted to you
The complete Monasteries Route can therefore combine:
Nájera → Tricio → Cañas → San Millán de la Cogolla → Valvanera
But this does not have to be a single fixed itinerary.
For some cyclists, we might focus on the historical monuments and create a moderate route through Nájera, Tricio, Cañas and San Millán.
For stronger riders, we can extend the experience towards Valvanera and the Sierra de la Demanda, adding more climbing and mountain scenery.
This is one of the advantages of travelling with Vamos Bike Tours: we can adapt the route to the cyclist rather than asking the cyclist to adapt to a fixed route.
3. The Najerilla Valley
Cycling through vineyards, villages and mountains
The Najerilla Valley is one of the most varied cycling areas in La Rioja.
Starting around Nájera, the landscape gradually changes as the road follows the Najerilla River towards the mountains.
Vineyards and agricultural landscapes give way to forests, small villages and mountain scenery.
The route can be adapted depending on your level, with shorter options through the lower valley or more challenging rides towards the Sierra de la Demanda.
This area also provides the perfect opportunity to combine cycling with the Monasteries Route.
Ideal for: road cyclists, gravel riders and e-bike cyclists looking for varied scenery.
4. Haro and Rioja Alta
Cycling through the birthplace of Rioja wine
Haro is one of the most famous wine towns in Spain and an excellent starting point for a cycling day in Rioja Alta.
The surrounding countryside is a spectacular mixture of vineyards, rolling hills and historic villages.
A route around Haro can include:
- Haro
- Briñas
- Briones
- San Vicente de la Sonsierra
- Labastida
- surrounding vineyards
This is an excellent option for cyclists who want to combine a relatively relaxed ride with visits to wineries and traditional Rioja villages.
Ideal for: wine lovers, couples and cyclists looking for a cultural experience.
5. Laguardia and Rioja Alavesa
Medieval villages and endless vineyards
Just across the border in the Basque Country lies Rioja Alavesa, one of the most beautiful wine landscapes in northern Spain.
The medieval town of Laguardia makes an excellent centre for a cycling route through the vineyards.
The area is particularly attractive because the roads constantly reveal new views across the vineyards towards the Sierra de Cantabria.
Cycling here can easily be combined with wine tasting, gastronomy and visits to traditional villages.
Ideal for: wine lovers, photographers and cyclists looking for spectacular landscapes.
6. Sierra de la Demanda
Mountains, forests and challenging climbs
For cyclists looking for something more demanding, the Sierra de la Demanda offers a completely different side of La Rioja.
The vineyards disappear and the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous, with forests, valleys and long climbs.
This is an excellent area for experienced road cyclists and riders looking for elevation gain.
The routes can be adapted to include shorter climbs or longer mountain loops depending on the group.
Ideal for: experienced road cyclists and riders looking for challenging terrain.
7. Ezcaray and the Oja Valley
Mountain cycling and traditional villages
Ezcaray is one of the most attractive mountain towns in La Rioja and an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside by bike.
The Oja Valley offers quiet roads, green landscapes and access to the mountains of the Sierra de la Demanda.
The area is particularly beautiful outside the summer months, when the forests and mountain landscapes create a completely different atmosphere from the vineyards of Rioja Alta.
Ideal for: cyclists looking for mountains, nature and quieter roads.
8. Moncalvillo
A classic La Rioja climb
For cyclists who enjoy climbing, Moncalvillo is one of the most interesting challenges close to Logroño.
The climb takes you away from the Ebro Valley and into the hills above the vineyards.
It can be incorporated into a longer cycling loop through the surrounding wine country, making it possible to combine a serious climb with beautiful views over La Rioja.
Ideal for: road cyclists and riders looking for a challenging climb.
9. The Ebro Valley
Easy riding through vineyards and countryside
The Ebro Valley offers some of the most accessible cycling in the region.
Compared with the mountain routes, the terrain here is generally gentler, making it suitable for cyclists who prefer moderate distances and less elevation.
The route can connect vineyards, small villages and sections of the Ebro River landscape.
It is particularly suitable for e-bikes and intermediate cyclists, but the route can be extended for stronger riders.
Ideal for: intermediate cyclists, e-bike riders and relaxed cycling holidays.
10. The Rioja Gravel Experience
Discover the vineyards away from the main roads
La Rioja is also an excellent destination for gravel cycling.
Small agricultural tracks, vineyard roads and quiet rural lanes provide endless possibilities for exploring the region away from the main roads.
A gravel route can combine vineyards with remote villages, mountain landscapes and sections of the Sierra de la Demanda.
The advantage of gravel cycling is the freedom to create routes that connect places that are difficult to experience on a traditional road cycling itinerary.
Ideal for: gravel cyclists and adventurous riders looking for a more remote experience.
Which La Rioja Cycling Route Is Right for You?
The best route depends on what you want to experience.
If your priority is wine, we might recommend the Rioja Wine Route, Haro or Laguardia.
If you are interested in history and culture, the Monasteries Route through Nájera, Tricio, Cañas and San Millán de la Cogolla is an excellent choice.
If you want mountains and climbing, we can focus on the Sierra de la Demanda, Ezcaray or Moncalvillo.
And if you prefer a relaxed experience with beautiful scenery, food and wine, we can create a route through the Ebro Valley and Rioja vineyards.
Your Perfect Cycling Route in La Rioja
These ten routes are only a starting point.
There is no single «best» cycling route in La Rioja.
The perfect route depends on the person riding it.
At Vamos Bike Tours, we specialise in creating private cycling experiences adapted to each client.
We can adjust the:
- Distance
- Elevation
- Difficulty
- Terrain
- Road or gravel
- E-bike or conventional bike
- Accommodation
- Wine experiences
- Cultural visits
- Gastronomy
- Daily riding time
Whether you are looking for a challenging week in the mountains, a relaxed wine and cycling holiday or a cultural journey through the monasteries of the Najerilla Valley, we can design the route around you.
Discover La Rioja your way.
Ride the vineyards. Climb the mountains. Discover the history. Taste the wine.
Hugo VBT- July 2026