7 landscapes of La Rioja that you will want to enjoy in person
La Rioja is nature, is wine tradition, is intense colors. It is hidden villages that you want to visit in the best of ways: after having stumbled upon them on any road route. After being carried away by those landscapes that perhaps one does not expect in this land. Landscapes that are, precisely, the protagonists of these lines. Because they can steal the breath of the most experienced traveler and because, generally, you only want to return to them when you have to leave them. It also happens that, once you open your eyes and discover this beautiful land, the only thing you want is to enjoy it in first person.
One of the lagoons of Urbión | Victor Salvador Vilariño, Wikimedia
One of the most important wetlands in the world, these lagoons are the result of a glaciation that occurred more than 20,000 years ago. Every spring, with the thawing of the Riojan mountains, this set of lagoons, with crystalline waters, shine with their own light. They do so between hiking routes for the whole family, carrying a glacial past that is worth discovering. La Rioja is a historic region, in every sense of the word.
One of the galleries that can be visited in the area | Barramaji, Wikimedia
The Cidacos Valley, where these caves are located, can be surprising from the very first moment. If the traveler is also encouraged to discover what lies beneath the Cerro de San Miguel, he will leave the place with the feeling of having seen something unique. The caves of the Hundred Pillars, a set of galleries and rooms through which it is possible to walk, were excavated during the Middle Ages. It was at this time when the inhabitants of the valleys of the area were forced to seek refuge under the mountain.
Monastery of Nuestra Señora de Valvanera, with spectacular views | Shutterstock
As if nature itself knew that this monastery must eternally be a haven of peace, it hinders access to it and hides its existence. With centuries of antiquity, this monastery of Valvanera is a must visit. It also offers some dreamlike landscapes nearby. The area has a lot of history for the tourist. Also many legends, stories and, to conclude on a high note, a quiet visit, together with that nature that protects and fascinates.
One of the many postcards that the Leza River leaves in its wake | Shutterstock
That’s the feeling you get when you walk along the canyon of the Leza River: that the river that flows through it can overwhelm anything. The strength of its waters, coupled with the impressive 7-kilometer-long gorge that is this canyon, form a breathtaking landscape that impresses. In this mountain range of Cameros, in the southern part of La Rioja, there is nothing that does not cause this effect.
This is what the beautiful village of Villoslada de Cameros looks like | Shutterstock
It is believed that this area, in the heart of the Sierra de Cebollera, has been inhabited since the 2nd century. Churches, hermitages and, in general, a beautiful medieval ensemble that, together with the natural park in which it is integrated, constitute a perfect enclave in which to spend a weekend. If possible, walking a good part of the time next to the Iregua River.
This waterfall in the middle of the sierra presents a captivating image. | Shutterstock
The Natural Park of the Sierra de Cebollera is a fairytale place. A perfect corner in which to get lost among forests, waterfalls and trails. In this sense, it is worth walking the paths that lead to the waterfall of Puente Ra calmly, without haste, without maps. Once you reach this enclave, you will understand why this place is so famous.
To take this route you have to enter another mountain range: the Moncalvillo mountain range, also owner of an exuberant nature. This particular trail, which begins in Sojuela, not only uncovers enchanting landscapes, but also speaks directly to the history and past culture of the region. Along 14 kilometers you will find four old snow deposits, which once served to supply the city of Logroño. This is undoubtedly one of the most important details to address when you are discovering the place: the history that has led it to be what it is. And La Rioja has a lot of history.
