Detalle blog - arabaturismo

If you love road or mountain biking, Álava is the perfect destination to ride around while exploring its remarkable sites and landscapes. It’s got a network of roads, paths and trails allowing you to enjoy this sport surrounded by nature. Here are a few ideas:

Basque-Navarre Railway Green Route

This route follows the historic Basque-Navarre railway, which ran through Álava from the early 19th century until 1967. With a total of 123.5 kilometres, this route will allow you to enjoy the history and nature of the region's villages at a relaxed pace.

It connects Estella (Navarre) and Bergara (Gipuzkoa), though the majority of the path runs through Álava, giving visitors access to Romanesque gems like Estíbaliz Sanctuary. It also delves into nature including spaces like Landa provincial park with its blue flag beach and passes through Medieval villages like Antoñana and Campezo.

Rioja Alavesa Lagoons

One of the best ways to explore one of the largest wetlands in Rioja Alavesa is by bike. We’re referring to Laguardia Lagoons, home to many species of birds.

Our proposed route is simple and easy for anyone who loves their bike: this 11.5 kilometre route leading to the protected Laguardia Lagoon Complex biotope comprising the lagoons Carralogroño, Carravalseca, Musco and Prao de la Paul pond.

Also, if you love wine, you’ve got to stop at one of the wineries in Rioja Alavesa for some wine tourism.

Vitoria Green Way

If you’re looking for a relaxing, easy bike route in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the circular Green Way is perfect for you. This 30 kilometre-long route is suitable for riding individually, with kids or with friends.

One of the advantages of the Green Way route is that you can start at any point and it offers an easy, well-marked route that will allow you to take in the beautiful nature surrounding the capital of Álava: Armentia forest, Salburua wetlands, Zadorra riverbank, and much more.

This is all rounded out with information centres like Ataria, lookout points for birdwatching, exhibition spaces and more.

Álava has many routes to help you discover and rediscover this region in fun, remarkable ways. Tune up your bike and hop on one of these routes with us!

Want to discover Álava in a unique way? Today we’ve got four different routes for motorbike riders to enjoy magnificent natural landscapes and gain a deep understanding of the culture and cuisine of our province.

These four routes are designed for motorbike riders and they mostly follow well-paved country roads with little traffic and amazing views. Read on for the details on these itineraries, totalling 700 kilometres and a whole lot of curves.

To the south at a leisurely pace

Starting in the town of Egino and ending on the provincial border with Burgos at Miranda de Ebro. With a total of 104 kilometres passing through places of interest like Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, Ullíbarri-Gamboa reservoir and its interior beaches, the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz with all of its marvels (Green Route, Medieval quarter, Santa María Cathedral, palaces, etc.), the Añana Salt Valley, where you can discover one of the oldest salt mines in the world.

To the north at a leisurely pace

Totalling 152 kilometres, this route starts in southern Álava and ends in Llodio. Along it you’ll have the opportunity to visit spots like Rioja Alavesa and its Medieval towns, enjoy the winding roads and views of Herrera pass, admire the walled town of Peñacerrada and discover the green valley of Ayala.

Valleys, Plains and Mountains

This is the longest route with a total of 261 kilometres. It starts and ends in Vitoria-Gasteiz and runs through the Santa Catalina botanical garden, Varona Tower, Nervión falls, Gorbeia and Izki natural parks and the towns of Agurain and San Vicente de Arana. A route surrounded by nature that is sure to delight.

Castles and wine

Finally, we’ve got a 181-kilometre circular route starting and ending in the capital of Álava, Vitoria-Gasteiz. This route delves into the Mountains of Vitoria, allowing you to discover Ocio and Portilla castles, follow the Water Route, which snakes along the Inglares river, past Herrerías falls, and then arrive at the wineries and vineyards of Rioja Alavesa. It is a place to enjoy the renowned wineries of Marqués de Riscal and Bodegas Ysios, designed by Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava. After finishing the route, you can return to Vitoria-Gasteiz via the Bernedo pass and Labraza.

A great way to see Álava on a motorbike and take in all its natural and cultural wonders.

Rioja Alavesa in certainly one of the most magical places in Álava. Its villages teeming with culture and history make it an essential stop any time of year. Vineyards, routes, wineries and museums are just a taste of everything offered by this wonderful destination. Although choosing just one thing to do here is impossible, here are a few ideas: 

Dolmen Route

One of the most well-known itineraries in Rioja Alavesa is the Dolmen Route, featuring no less than eight different dolmens. Dolmens are megalithic structures made more than 6,000 years ago that have become a tourist and cultural attraction. The route can be done both by car and by bike.

The dolmens you’ll find along the way are: Montecillo, Sotillo, San Martín, Layalza, Alto de la huesera, Chabola de la Hechicera, Encinal and Los Llanos. Each one has a different distinctive feature that will pique your interest in the time period.

Winery tours

The most popular thing to do in Rioja Alavesa is visit its famous wineries. The infinite number of walks surrounded by vines make the landscape of Rioja Alavesa a unique place you’ll never want to leave. There are renowned wineries including Marqués de Riscal designed by architect Frank Gehry and Bodegas Ysios by Santiago Calatrava. You can also visit traditional wineries like Valdelana and Solar de Samaniego. They all offer guided tours to see how the wine is made and participate in tastings. Bookings should be made in advance. Many of them also offer meals with a menu paired with their wines and even the option of spending the night at the winery. It’s a must if you visit Rioja Alavesa.

Visit its Medieval towns

If you’re looking for a more relaxed activity in Rioja Alavesa, wandering its towns might be just what the doctor ordered. Elvillar, Labastida, Leza... And, of course, the most well-known: Laguardia and Elciego.

Laguardia conquers the hearts of all its visitors with its Medieval features preserved for more than 1,000 years, its walls and its doors that transport you to this small town’s past. Wandering its Medieval streets and stopping at its bars to try the various wines of the area is one of the most commonly repeated activities for visitors.

Elciego is home to the famous Marqués de Riscal, combining winegrowing tradition with the Avant-garde, luxury and technology of the 21st century. Get lost in the town's picturesque streets packed with palaces and visit architectural sites like San Andrés church and Virgen de la Plaza hermitage.

Artziniega is among the most picturesque towns of Álava. A Medieval town north-east of Álava surrounded by stunning landscapes with great environmental value. Over the last few years, it has become one of the most visited towns in this part of Euskadi thanks to its natural and cultural richness.

Simply wandering the inviting Medieval streets of its centre will take you back to another time. One of the most popular activities here is wandering the old quarter, which was named a Historical Site. While wandering its streets, give its delicious cuisine a try. Its cheeses, charcuterie, cider and txakoli white wine will get you ready to continue your journey.

Photo: Artziniega

The town is considered the entryway to the Ayala Valley, a great place to relax and unwind. This makes it the perfect place for travellers looking to discover the absolute serenity of a rural Basque village. Many are drawn to the surrounding nature, including the Artziniega waterfall, a great spot to enjoy the outdoors and take a dip in the summertime. 

You can also visit the Artziniega Ethnography Museum, a renovated historical building with temporary exhibits and cultural performances in its outdoor amphitheatre. It’s a place where you’ll be able to see different ways of rural and urban life of this region. If you’re also looking for a fun way to spend some time with kids, try to find all 47 coats of arms in the façades of Artziniega.

This old quarter is one of the best preserved in the Basque Country. Given the forests and mountains to explore, it's the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts.