Best MTB bike routes and cycle tourism in La Rioja

Our recent trip to La Rioja has confirmed to us the numerous attractions that this community has, beyond the enjoyment of its famous wines and its gastronomy.

The Rioja has a multitude of pretty towns and with historical roots, but it also allows you the possibility of enjoying nature.

In this regard, a key point in winter is the Valdezcaray ski resort, but throughout the year the place where it is located, the Saw of Demand, offers us the possibility of doing numerous nature activities such as hiking.

But making a bicycle route It is undoubtedly one of the best ways to get to know La Rioja throughout the year.

In this region it is possible to find a great variety of MTB bike routes, from the gentlest to the most demanding routes, suitable for cyclists of all skill levels.

And precisely on our last trip we had the opportunity to enjoy a really exciting mountain bike route, at the same time demanding.

Specifically, it was going down from the top of the aforementioned Valdezcaray ski resort to the village of Zaldierna, near the town of Ezcaray, through steep trails and crossing lush forests.

Mountain bike route through Valdezcaray

For those of us who like Mountain bike, the routes with great landscapes that overcome large slopes are exciting.

And in The Rioja There is a highly recommended bicycle route that runs through one of the most beautiful landscapes in the community.

In the Saw of Demand are the highest peaks of La Rioja and precisely there the route takes place.

Coming out from the Valdezcaray ski resort, between the peaks of San Lorenzo y San Millán a descent full of adenaline begins.

Today this route is in the process of being marked, so in order to do it it is necessary to have a local guide like we did, who made the descent with the company. Enduro Ezcaray.

The route consists of a descent from the upper area of ​​the station at more than 2.100 meters up to 800 meters in the town of Zaldierna, a village in Ezcaray with stone houses at the foot of the mountains.

La route is suitable for all levels since the trails have various routes depending on the difficulty you want to add to the descent.

The route begins at the top, where, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the sea of ​​clouds so characteristic of this area of ​​La Rioja and which is so common to see when you ski in Valdezcaray.

On the way you will find all kinds of landscapes with large forests and pine forests that make the route a real joy for nature lovers.

Oja Greenway in La Rioja: what it is like, route

Now, travelers who want to get to know the region, its landscapes and its towns, with a less demanding bike tour, they have other alternatives, such as Oja Greenway, in the same area of ​​La Rioja.

How long is the Oja Greenway?

Specifically, this green Way runs along the route of an old railway, on a route of 26 kilometers from Ezcaray to Casalarreina.

The origin of said railway dates back to 1891, and this project was finally completed in 1916 to link Ezcaray with Haro.

It was a narrow gauge railway that was also used for the transport of goods, although it was finally closed in January 1964.

La Oja Greenway It was enabled in 1992, and it was not until more recently, in 2016, when a link was made to Haro through a green route.

What are the stages of the Oja Greenway

If you dare to do this bike tour, the first section of 14 kilometers will take you from Ezcaray to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, with an average travel time of three and a half hours.

The first part of the route runs through a plain area with crop fields, and from Santurde You enter a more forest landscape where you can see beech forests and pine reforestation.

Tras visit Santo Domingo de la Calzada and its cathedral, you can start a second stage of 12 kilometers that can take you a little more than three hours.

With an agricultural and plain landscape, this route ends at the old Castañares station in Casalarreina, a place well known for its famous restaurants.

What is the Green Route from Casalarreina to Haro like?

The aforementioned extension that connects Casalarreina with Haro, is a 12-kilometer route that initially offers you the possibility of seeing the confluence of the Oja and Tirón rivers, in the small town of Cihuri.

There you will see the Priory Bridge, ancient roman bridge located next to the old Prior's manor house, and from where you will see one of the most iconic natural enclaves of La Rioja, the Peñas de Jembres.

En Cihuri, to see the aforementioned confluence of the rivers, you will pass through the winery neighborhood, where you can see in the field how the chimneys that are used for ventilation come out.

Already reaching Haro by bicycle along this green route, you will access it following the course of the Tirón River by Viano Trail enjoying important riverside forests located on the river bank.

For nature lovers, the Oja Greenway It also offers the opportunity to enjoy the wildlife in its natural habitat, being able to see aquatic and riverside birds, as well as birds of prey and nocturnal birds of prey, such as owls and owls.