Walking and wildlife holidays in La Rioja
- Capital: Logrono.
- Area: 5,045 km²
Most famous as the origin of wines of the same name, La Rioja contains fertile plains in the north that are irrigated by the Ebro river and is bordered in the south by the Sistema Central mountain range.
There is a division in climates with the mountains receiving higher rainfall and the low lands being more arid. The mountains areas such as the Sierra de Cebollera, have been shaped by glaciers and plant life at the high levels have to endure and adapt to conditions of snow, ice and sometimes very strong winds.
Hotel Marqués de Riscal
The stunning Hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, is located in Elciego in La Rioja’s Álava province. Designed by Frank Gehry, this avant-garde hotel offers free WiFi, a spa and 2 restaurants.
Woodlands mainly contain Holm oak, Pyrenean oak, Atlantic oak, beech and Scots pine.
Find other hotels in La Rioja
Booking.comPilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) cover a 60km route through La Rioja, including the capital Logrono.
A few books to help you explore la Rioja
The Paleontology Centre of Enciso
In the town of Enciso and installed in an old shoe factory, this interpretation centre is dedicated to the investigation of the dinosaur remains in La Rioja. See the website here in Spanish http://centropaleontologicodeenciso.org/
Tours in La Rioja from Viator
La Rioja has a vast array of sites to visit and enjoy. Below are some of the options listed on the Viator website. (We recieve a small commission if you book a tour which doesn’t cost you more and helps us to keep Wildside Holidays up to date with the best information.)
Natural parks in La Rioja
1 Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park The only designated natural park in the region of La Rioja, the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park is located on the northern slope of the mountains of the Iberian System about 50 kilometres from Logroño. It is also part of the Sierras de Demanda, Urbión, Cebollera and Cameros special protection areas for birdlife (Zonas de Especial Protección para las Aves (ZEPA)
Valles de Leza – Jubera – Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve
The Valles de Leza – Jubera – Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve is located in the south eastern part of La Rioja. A mountainous area, the highest peaks reach around 1,600 meters. There are around 180 paleontological sites in the area and in some places, well preserved dinosaur tracks.
Read more about the Valles de Leza – Jubera – Cidacos and Alhama Biosphere Reserve: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/valles-de-leza-jubera-cidacos-and-alhama-biosphere-reserve/
Another interesting aspect of La Rioja are the abandoned villages as this interesting documentary (in Spanish) shows.
Other protected and areas of interest
- Reserva Natural de los Sotos de Alfaro No trip to the region of La Rioja would be complete without a visit to the Reserva Natural de los Sotos de Alfaro and the town of Alfaro (The city of storks) that holds a huge colony of white storks. The proximity of the Sotos del Ebro Natural Reserve, the baroque architecture of the Collegiate Church of San Miguel and the protection and pride of the towns inhabitants, provide the storks with an incomparable place that makes this the largest colony in the world of white storks on a single edifice.
- Lagunas de Urbión In February 2006 the urbión lagoons became part of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar)
- Laguna de Hervías The Laguna de Hervías is a small natural endorheic lagoon (Mediterranean temporary pond) that occupies about 15 hectares of surface and is located in the municipality of Hervías near Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
Looking for guided or self guided walking?
Walking North Spain are located in San Sebastian in the heart of a fantastic area for holidays and mountain travel, trips and routes are arranged in most of northern Spain (Basque Country, Navarra, Western Pyrenees, La Rioja, Picos de Europa…), as well as in the French Basque Country and the French Pyrenees. https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/walking-north-spain/
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
Visit Cádiz
Planning on visiting Cádiz? Tourist information. Monuments. Hotels. Activities. City guides: https://visitingcadiz.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum! https://iberianatureforum.com/