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Bilbao, La Rioja, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao
7 days − Guided
Historic Monument Hotels
From
€2465
La Rioja is waiting for you!
Enjoy this luxury guided circular cycling trip around La Rioja, Spain. A cycle trip starting and ending in Bilbao, biking La Rioja wine region and visiting Pamplona & lovely San Sebastian. It is a region full of vineyards, internationally known for its superb wine, and charm is on every corner of the small and historic medieval villages, reflecting the tradition and culture of this unique area.
Get surprised by the great variety of this Spanish cycling tour. Try the tastiest Basque pintxos-tapas on your way, trying some renowned wineries (such as Marqués de Riscal) and visiting some historical monuments, such as the UNESCO Yuso Monastery, considered the birthplace of the modern Spanish language, the Camino de Compostela and Neolithic sites.
Start in Bilbao, with its museums, enjoy medieval spots like Santo Domingo, Ezcaray and Laguardia, with baroque paintings and an ancient wall. Then on to Pamplona‘s historical centre, made famous for the running of bulls and its international visitors like Hemmingway and Chaplain, and elegant San Sebastian, holiday seaside spot of Northern Spain and its delicious gastronomy.
This cycling tour of Rioja and the Basque Country will consist of peaceful cycling, delicious sights and a glass of wine awaiting you at every turn!
Dates
29 Jun 2023 | 19 Jul 2023 | 2 Jul 2024 | 20 Jul 2024
%
Riding Level
EASY with
Longer Hills
45KM Daily Average
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Elegant San Sebastian’s gastronomy & beaches
- Enjoy Rioja winery tour
- See the Camino de Santiago
- Learn about Pamplona’s History on Walking Tour
- Visit the UNESCO Yuso Monastery
- Sample the best and rich Rioja Spanish Wines
- Ancient churches & medieval spots
- Taste pintxos in Bilbao
- Unique & Famous Hotels
THE CC ADVANTAGE
We live permanently in Spain, locally operating and are proud to show you around
We are passionate about cycling, travel and cycle travel!
Excellent 4 & 5* hotels including a luxury town house, a historic monastery and 2 legendary City hotels
Full van support & Bike Options: carbon road bike, comfortable hybrid or Electric assist bike
“Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the Romance of the unusual.”
Route Map
itinerary
Day 1. ARRIVAL IN BILBAO
Arrive to the cultural city of Bilbao! Perhaps come earlier to visit the Guggenheim Art Museum. It’s permanent collection of Modern art is excellent and the building by Architect, Frank Gehry is a marvel. Bilbao’s museum and gastronomic creations have made it a must go European cultural city and a perfect one to start your Rioja Cycling tour from.
Meet this afternoon and get to know each other on our walking tour of Bilbao’s historical centre, trying some of its famous pintxos (Basque “tapas”) nibbles on the way.
Stay city centre and enjoy this evening atmosphere before we get ready to cycle.
Day 2. BILBAO TO LA RIOJA
Ride: 22km – 44km | 300 m
This morning, dressed to ride, we transfer out of the Basque Country city to a medieval town, Cycling in the Rioja is our plan today! Cycle to lovely quaint Ezcaray, a high point in the Rioja with its forested mountains and alpine feel on the river Ojo. After an afternoon drink in the square, cycle back on the cycle path to Calzado. Enjoy our gothic 12th century Parador and the impressive Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral in front. An important part of the Camino, Saint James way with pilgrims still passing through today on their way to Santiago de Compostela
We take our group dinner here, enjoying the Parador’s old world atmosphere.
See more
Day 3. SANTO DOMINGO TO LA RIOJA
Ride: 55 km | 350 m
Today is all about the diverse architecture of La Rioja. Pedal through the many vineyards, and green pastures today in this cycle of La Rioja. Small villages delight and we visit the UNESCO heritage site of the impressive 15/17th century Yuso monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries and the birthplace of the Spanish written language. Continue our day through the Rioja vineyards, we arrive at our most impressively designed hotel, a modern re-arrangement colourful and chic. We can’t wait though to get off our bike for a moment and have a wine tasting at another impressive monument, the Riscal winery. Frank Gehry’s whimsical design, think a mother of pearl meets a wave. Simply beautiful and then there is the wine! Back to our lovely nook for the night and a group dinner tries some delicious local dishes. A full day of Rioja cycling memories.
Day 4. LA RIOJA
Ride: 68 km | 700 m
A superb cycle ride today in the Basque Country and its mountainous backdrop of La Rioja, with some lovely villages and great vistas of the Ebro River feeding the vines. Descend the foothills and visit the Neolithic burial tombs of this area. The witches’ hut, “La Chabola de la Hechicera” overlooks the quilt work like landscape, dotted with church steeples. We end the day in pretty medieval walled, LaGuardia, with its narrow streets and attractive balconies.Stay awhile or cycle back to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon there.
Day 5. LA RIOJA TO PAMPALONA
Ride: 30 km | 300 m
Off we go to the heart of the Rioja, the bigger city of Logroño, a place on the Camino and wine industry. The country cycle through the Rioja is relaxing and enjoy Logroño before transferring to famous Pamplona, city of the running of the bulls and a favourite of Hemmingway.Stay at a hotel beloved through the ages by Charlie Chaplain, Manolete, Hemmingway… It is a real slice of history and set in the historical centre. We learn more about it on our walking tour of its casco historico.Enjoy a free evening on your own tonight.
Day 6. PAMPLONA TO SAN SEBASTIAN
Ride: 36 km | 365 m
Walk out of the city walls and take a pedal around the local area with its small villages and bike paths following the river.Transfer to the coast and enjoy the seaside atmosphere of noble San Sebastian, an elegant place. Your hotel will not disappoint you and you can even walk to the beach this afternoon. It is a chilled out place to end our tour of the Basque country and La Rioja wine region and we will enjoy our celebratory dinner tonight here.
Day 7. ONWARD TRAVELS
Take a last dip in the sea and either stay on here or follow us back to Bilbao for a central city drop-off. See our post-tour hotel package if interested to stay in Bilbao or San Sebastian.It has been our pleasure to share this cycling tour of La Rioja with you!
THANK YOU
Trip details
Leisure Cycling Tour: Guided
Route: Bilbao – Ezcaray – La Rioja – Pamplona – San Sebastian
Quieter country roads. Good asphalt road surface and undulating landscape
Group Size: Minimum 5 people | Discounts for 4+booking together
Riding Level
Easy / Moderate: Daily average of 45 km with some hills. Suitable for moderate leisure cyclists of all ages with a good level of fitness and enjoy road biking.
Accommodation
6 nights in Famous Monument 4-5 Star Hotel – all bedrooms are en-suite – breakfast included
Food
Daily breakfasts and nutritious ride snacks
3 lunches (delicious picnics and a PINXTOS lunch)
3 freshly prepared gastro dinners at the accommodation
including wine/beer and soft drinks.
Also Included
- Private guided walking tour of Bilbao with tapas!
- Entrance to Yusos UNESCO Monastery
- Private Guided Walking tour of Pamplona centre
- Guided tour of an winery Marques de Riscal
- Bike – Quality 24-27 speed TREK hybrid bike with front handlebar bag / map carrier.
- Complimentary Cycling Country Spain Cycling Jersey, Bottle, Tee & tags
- Tour guidebook of your route, its history & culture
- Daily Route notes and maps
- Experienced cycling guides and SAG van which follows route
- 5% off your next tour with us
Extras Not Included
Extra nights at beginning and end of tour – See Post-Tour package
Bikes
Hybrid bike included – but upgrades available like quality road bike hire either Ebike (€220) | AluCarbon | Carbon Trek Edmonda S6s with Ultegra (€185) or Trek Domane (€160)
Transfers
Transfers to Bilbao centre at end are included on the last day, though you can choose to stay in San Sebastian
Lodgings
On your cycling tour of La Rioja, there is a lot of great stuff to see and experience! 3 World class cities and an unbelievable amount of superb food, wine and cycling to do. Not to mention walking tours of Bilbao and Pamplona, monument visits and even the odd bottle or too. Therefore you need a great night’s rest. At these Basque and Rioja hotels, there is no doubt you will slumber well. Their ambiance, history and just plain great looks will make arriving to them daily, a joy.
A highlight hotel to absorb the ambience this area has. Viura Gastro Hotel, set in a traditional village, this modern day extravaganza is beautifully created. A fine meal surely awaits. What an experience!
Such a charming hotel and in the midst of La Rioja, it is a highlight on our bike trip in Spain.
Stay in Pamplona’s Famous Perla, the same rooms where Orson Welles or Hemmingway stayed! Elegant & Atmospheric Hotel La Perla In this hotel, you are an easy pleasant walk to all the main historic sights.
A hotel full of history, legends and charm, you will love the atmosphere of this spot.
Boasting an ideal location in the old town of Camino town, Santo Domingo, the Parador Santo Domingo‘s doors open out onto views of the Gothic Cathedral on the Camino Route.
A beautiful stay in La Rioja, is this Parador, where you are central to all sights in this traditional town in the wine region.
Just in front of the seashore, this hotel was the place to be at the turn of the century for Kings, Stars and even Spies like Mata Hari. A long noble history.
A part of local and national lore, this hotel spills old world charm and is wonderfully placed in San Sebastian.Reviews
Testimonials from previous cyclists are always available and we enjoy receiving the feedback after tours. It helps us improve our services and offer you an even better experience. Please feel free to contact us if you would like a reference to talk to. Others have also posted reviews on the independent travel website 
.
DATES & RATES
LA RIOJA WINE REGION
7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS
€2465
SINGLE SUPP. FROM € 495
SELECT YOUR DATE AND CHECK AVAILABILITY HERE
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