MOUNTAIN BIKE in stages along the paths, canyons and mountains of IREGUA VALLEY
LA RIOJA - SPAIN
IREGUA VALLEY is a variation of the base route of FUENTES del VINO MTB. Instead of spreading throughout LA RIOJA as the latter more or less does, IREGUA VALLEY concentrates its activity primarily in the mountains, canyons and trails of the Iregua valley.
The choice is not casual. Located only a few kilometers south of Logroño we find a territory of "high potential" for the practice of MTB.
The most palpable argument of this is that the territory we are talking about is the same in which La Rioja BIKE RACE MTB stage test is held annually. Even allowing themselves the luxury of changing the track of the route every year.
We are talking about a UCI scoring event for the international ranking of the world championship.
We are not really wrong if we say that both because of its location and its cycling style, IREGUA VALLEY is something like a Rioja BIKE RACE in stages without competition and without an audience.
The mountains of the Sierra de Cameros, which are what make the valley possible, hide -literally- among their canyons, pine groves and beech trees, an infinity of singletracks - "flows" sometimes and enduring others - worked by local bikers, who give walk to a multitude of route options for each of the stages of the tour.
On the left bank of the valley we have the mountain range of the Sierra de Cameros with the peaks of El Viso, Peña Saida and Cerroyera -among others- hiding the Sendas de la Barguilla, Preciosa, Aspero, del Monolito, Bonita and La Guandara... among many.
On the right bank of the Valley, the mass of Moncalvillo and the Serradero fields with the Sendas of Moncalvillo MTB Center, and above all with the altruistic work -again- of the local bikers, have given rise -to name just a few- to the Trails of the Deer, the Wild Boar, the Greyhound, the Fox ... among which they pay homage to the animals of the field and many others ... Dark, of Silence, of the Beech, Forgiveness, Millers, Neveras, Natural, Bosquecillo, the forgotten Berrendo... I mean, task for years!
The proposals of LA RIOJA PUNTO BIKE for IREGUA VALLEY are based on logical linkages of these Paths and Summits, adapted -when possible- to different lengths and difficulties, which together give rise to a 3-stage proposal.
If we decide to put a finishing touch on the route, we will add the circular stage that from Nájera and through the Najerilla Valley takes us to the walls of Matute and Anguiano, now in the Sierra de La Demanda. A stage that maintains at all times -and perhaps even surpasses- the pulse and tone of the ensemble in the ascents -and descents- that hold the key to the rocky fortresses that make up the decoration of our scenary.
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The kilometers and the unevenness of the route obviously vary depending on the selection of stages we make. But these data from a "standard" selection are worth to give us an idea of the possible set:
FUENTES del VINO IREGUA VALLEY 3 Stages E+A+H: Distance 161 km / Unevenness 4.515 m
FUENTES del VINO IREGUA VALLEY 4 Stages E+A+H+I: Distance 226 km / Unevenness 6.155 m
- The Stages
- Stage E
- Stage A
- Stage H
- Stage I
With start point at Albelda de Iregua, the structure of the proposal is the one of 1 circular -E- and two point to point stages -A and H- which are mainly developed in the IREGUA VALLEY. Optionally we can add one more circular stage through the Najerilla Valley -I- then making a four stages route.
Stage E: Circular Albelda de Iregua
Distance 44 / 67 km - Unevenness 1.200 / 1.795 m
The 2 options that we give for this circular stage starting in Albelda de Iregua consist of 2 tracks, Cameros and Gran Cameros, with the same philosophy but different difficulty. Both cross the mountains of the Sierra de Cameros, taking advantage of the many trails adapted for MTB by local bikers.
We are talking about a geography that is becoming internationally known for being the usual scenary of La Rioja BIKE RACE, the MTB stage race held annually in the area. The routes enter the Sierra de Cameros by the Senda de la Barguilla -de la Barriguilla in biker slang- they enter the paths of the neighboring Leza Valley, and ascending the peaks of El Viso or Peña Saida descend towards Viguera or Nalda linking several of the most popular singletrack trails in the area; Senda Preciosa, Aspero, Senda del Portillo de las Monjas ... Bonita ... del Monolíto ..
Gran Cameros is our proposal for bikers to whom everything seems little.
Apart from the 2 options presented here, we have other more specific tracks with which we try to adapt the routes more if possible to the profiles of the cyclists.
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Stage A: Albelda de Iregua - Nájera
Distance 63 / 54 km - Unevenness 1.505 / 1.225 m
The stage that takes us from Albelda de Iregua to Nájera consists of 2 well differentiated sections. The first one takes full advantage of the original track from the Calzada Romana del Iregua to Torrecilla en Cameros, a much more technical and demanding route - with many kilometers of "singletrack" - than the term "Calzada" may suggest.
In the 2nd part we will have to ascend the "wall" of the Sierra de Cameros, pedal through the spectacular spaces -which seem created for cycling- at the top of the mountain, and then descend to the NAJERILLA VALLEY to meet again with the vineyards that will be our guide to Nájera.
Option A7 between Albelda de Iregua. and Logroño climbs straights throughg Moncalvillo. The result is a shorted option of 54 kms and 1.225 meters of unevenness.
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Stage H: Nájera - Albelda de Iregua
Distance 44 / 54 / 44 - Unevenness 1.155 / 1.790 / 1.455 m
The stage in which we return to the starting point of IREGUA VALLEY takes advantage of the very high potential for MTB practice that is hidden on the North slope of Moncalvillo.
There are so many hidden "gems" - certainly well hidden - that it is impossible to give a single option. The result is these different proposals that we show in the profiles, Gran Moncalvillo, Integral Moncalvillo... and even others that we do not show here.
All of them, with their different lengths and difficulties, and with their different combinations of Paths -Ciervos, Neveras, Molineros, Oscura, del Perdón, del Zorro, Natural...- return us to the Iregua Valley from which we started, through the spectacular rocks and canyons of Portal de Cameros in Islallana. A "National Park" style end for what is usually the last of the IREGUA VALLEY stages.
And when the snow prevents pedaling through the high areas, our resource is Medio Moncalvillo.
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Stage I: Circular Nájera
Distance 65 / 44 km - Unevenness 1.640 / 1.120 m
If we decide to add a 4th stage to the IREGUA VALLEY proposal, we will not be disappointed. The basic option for a circular route from Nájera which we call Entrepeñas, -among rocks- is a demanding proposal that maintains the pulse and "scenic tension" of the route as a whole.
The route is embedded -literally- among the characteristic conglomerate monoliths that characterize the NAJERILLA VALLEY, commonly known as Peñas de Tobia, Matute or Anguiano which we access from the Monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla. A show in themselves, a double one with our bikes descending through its paths and canyons.
If we choose to take the day with a little more calm, the Entreviñas -among vineyards- proposal will guide us through the paths near Nájera and through the sea of vineyards that extends between the Najerilla river and the slopes of La Demanda Range.
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To get an idea of what the FUENTES del VINO IREGUA VALLEY route looks like and what you can find if you decide to meet it, click and browse below in any of these tabs.
Stage E: Circular Albelda de Iregua
Distance 44 / 67 km - Unevenness 1.200 / 1.795 m
Hole in the clouds over Nalda.
Vineyards Los Valles -of Bodegas Vinícola Real - under the peaks of the Cameros Range. Today's track territory.
Cameros Gate - La Rioja “National Park”
View over the old Kingdom of Viguera
Remnants of the past in the Col of Cerro del Castillo de Viguera.
Slopes of Cerroyera above Portal de Cameros. Long descent from the Portillo de las Monjas to the Iregua Valley.
Typical Riojan singletrack under the Castle of Clavijo.
Chozo Blanco, an exhibition building at the top of the mountains.
Autumn colors in the Iregua Valley.
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Stage A: Albelda de Iregua - Nájera
Distance 63 / 54 km - Unevenness 1.505 / 1.225 m
Portal de Cameros, transition from the vineyard to the Sierra in the Iregua Valley.
Iregua Roman Path under the rocks of Peña Bajenza.
Spectacular viewpoint of Peñueco on the Portal de Cameros - Viguera, Camero Nuevo Range -
Portal de Cameros, American West environment between Islallana and Viguera.
Hermitage of San Bartolome, a historical and geographical reference in the heart of Camero Nuevo. Better to ignore the bull.
Open lands on the summits of Serradero.
Torrecilla en Cameros, the track includes at this stage the section of the old Roman Path between Viguera and Torrecilla, 13 wild kilometers, for "pedestrians" and practically with just enough space for a bike wheel.
Towards the South, the high pastures of the Sierra de Camero Nuevo extend on the horizon, exerting a hinóptico power of call.
There is no doubt, we are in a space created for our bikes.
We reach the upper area of the Sierra, the landscape towards the opposite slope to which we have climbed can be impressive, we are in one of the "star" points of FUENTES del VINO MTB, the Najerilla Valley and the peaks of La Sierra de La Demanda take care of it.
The route continues for a long time over the Sierra de Camero Nuevo. If weather permits, the Sierra de La Demanda will accompany us as a backdrop for a few kilometers.
Again through small roads and vineyards we reach Nájera, from the Arabic "Naxara" -place among mountains-. A place brimming with history that invites you to "get lost" and wander around.
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Stage H: Nájera - Albelda de Iregua
Distance 44 / 54 / 44 - Unevenness 1.155 / 1.790 / 1.455 m
In the North, behind the sea of vineyards, the Sierra de Cantabria will close the horizon throughout this stage.
The rolling hills of the Moncalvillo hide an authentic "arsenal" of singletracks among their forests and pine groves. It is difficult to choose the Paths, whenever you choose one you lose another.
Spain Tour 2020 runs wild in search of the Moncalvillo ramps, an area also interesting for road cycling.
Impressive descent line from Moya Pic to the Iregua Valley in Islallana through the Berrendo hills. A finishing touch for IREGUA VALLEY.
Autumn textures on the slopes of Moncalvillo
Watercolor of vineyards in the Iregua Valley.
In Islallana, with only 6 kilometers - flat - to reach the end, with a bar with beer & wine, we can say that we have finished IREGUA VALLEY.
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Stage I: Circular Nájera
Distance 65 / 44 km - Unevenness 1.640 / 1.120 m
If we add the optional circular stage in Nájera, this will be the scenary; a first front of fields and vineyards, and the hidden Paths of Las Peñas de Anguiano and La Demanda Range on the second front to round off a very complete and demanding stage.
We begin the stage under the ancient gaze of the caves / refuge that characterize Nájera.
Scenes of the the route in the intermediate zone between Nájera and the Sierra de La Demanda.
Matute and its rocks, the protagonists of today's stage.
Descent to Tobia along the GR-93 path.
Path in Nájera looking for Biker.
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