Adventure World - Our World. Your Way

The Upper Rioja (La Rioja Alta) offers first class walking for people who enjoy long-ranging views without too much effort! The countryside here is unspoilt, little known and offers a glorious mix: hidden villages, farming hamlets, deep green vineyards, rolling hills and limestone peaks.

 

Your route starts, and ends, in ancient Haro, one of the most attractive wine towns in the region, with its flamboyant gothic church, elegant neo-classical houses and delightful old quarter: La Herradura(the horseshoe) of tapasbars, wine cellars and age-old bodegasare renowned throughout Spain!

 

With the towering peaks of the majestic Sierra de Cantabria behind, you first head east, following the gentle course of the River Ebro through sleepy villages and onto the historic riverside town of Briñas - there’s even a bodegaunder the church! You then plunge deep into the vineyards as you head out across the valley for your next two nights in Abalos.

 

The walking throughout is mainly on quiet country lanes and along pretty farm tracks, often via neatly groomed vineyards. There are countless opportunities to taste wines en route - and don’t forget we’ll collect your purchases for you.

You stay in some of La Rioja’s finest hotels too including a spectacular 13C converted convent and José Luis’ luxury Casa Ruralin Abalos - superb views and delicious food.

 

Arrive in Haro
We meet you in Bilbao and take you to historic Haro - look out for storks nesting on chimneypots and people enjoying their evening paseo. Your hotel is a luxury ssss converted convent with wonderful cloisters and fantastic courtyard.

 

Haro to Briñas 15km/9mi/4hr
Leaving Haro you walk north along the river before crossing the Ebro and taking to vineyard tracks with views back towards Haro. Looping around a meander bend you make easy headway towards Labastida, a working wine town with narrow streets and plenty of historic buildings, embossed with family crests. Above the town a much smaller church - Ermita de Santa Gines - makes a lovely picnic spot with superb views. Descending through vineyards - look out for griffon vultures circling overhead - and down to the pretty riverside village of Briñas, former playground of the region’s nobility.

 

At Briñas
Explore the pretty village - see if you can find the bodega under the church! - then perhaps head north, through the vineyards to Salanillas de Buradón. Excellent place for lunch. If you fancy more bodega visits, then a sandstone bridge and vineyard walk brings you to the doors of some of the largest wine merchants in the region. Your hotelier, Angela, can also help arrange local visits as she knows everyone in the village!

 

Briñas to Abalos 18km/11mi/4hr
Leaving Briñas, head deep into vineyards as you pass the memorable gates of Bodegas Remelluri where you can stop in for a tasting, before arriving at Rivas de Tereso – a lovely village with a popular restaurant - ideal for lunch with a fabulous view over the whole valley. Continue along trails at the very edge of the Sierra de Cantabria, with wonderful views over surrounding villages. Descend past Ermita de Santa Maria de Pecina and its ancient graveyard, and enjoy the views until the intricately carved church spire of Abalos eventually appears above the vines.

 

At Abalos
Explore Abalos – José Luis, your hotelier, has his own little wine cellar, alternatively visit one of the local bodegas to sample the regional vintages. Look out for wines from 2001 and 2002 – both excellent years. Visit the village’s 16C church - oddly decorated with dragons and well worth a detour! Or take the local bus (10 mins) to walled Laguardia, a real mediaeval treasure with C12 church, enormous C14 gothic gateway and C15 government buildings - still with the original facade.

 

Abalos to Haro 20km/13mi/4hr
Vineyard trails towards San Vicente de la Sonsierra take up the morning. The village is famous for the Picadores – men who whip themselves as penance for their sins during Semana Santa week! There is an imposing C12 hilltop castle, two impressive palaces and a C16 gothic church. Crossing the Ebro you reach Briones, another hilltop gem well worth a wander. It’s then on along the GR99, via the hamlet of Gimileo, and back to Haro.

 

Leave Haro
We take you to Bilbao for the flight home