Many people know that autumn is one of the best times to visit La Rioja, but why? For many reasons that we are going to summarise in this article in five. Although they are not all there are, they are all there are, but what we are sure of is that you are going to love these five suggestions.
1. Delight in the colours of the vineyards
Ochre, purple and purple are some of the predominant colours of the Rioja autumn landscape, one of the most beautiful in the country. It is the best time to take a walk among the vineyards, as this image is sure to remain in your memory. It is also harvest time and the vineyards are ripe and ready to be harvested. Some wineries allow visits during the most important time of the year, so it is well worth seeing how the grapes are harvested to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
2. Hiking in the Sierra de Cebollera Mountains
Autumn scenery in the Sierra de Cebollera mountain range
El otoño es una estación magnífica para hacer senderismo por La Rioja ya que esta comunidad ofrece multitud de caminos y rutas con los que podrás quedarte boquiabierto con los diferentes paisajes. Uno de los mejores lugares de la Rioja Alta para hacer senderismo es la Sierra de Cebollera, en el alto valle del río Iregua, en la comarca del Camero Nuevo. Este enclave geológico está formado por las formaciones glaciares denominadas “hoyos” en altitudes superiores a los 2.000 metros. Destacan sus bosques naturales de pino silvestre, haya y roble rebollo que esconden increíbles arroyos de montaña, con saltos de agua y pequeñas cascadas en un entorno de bosque de ribera. Cuando acaba el verano los colores de la tierra eclosionan en la Sierra de Cebollera y, tan solo por este motivo, la marcha guiada de otoño es una de las citas emblemáticas del Parque Natural. El Centro de Interpretación del Parque Natural, situado en Villoslada de Cameros, tiene una exposición permanente sobre las características más singulares del Parque Natural y ofrece información sobre los recursos y actividades programadas.
3. Route of the indianos in Torrecilla en Cameros
This tourist route, unknown to the general public, is one of the main points of interest in Torrecilla en Cameros. The backbone of the visit is the phenomenon of emigration in general and that of the Indianos in particular. This route begins at the Riojan Emigration Centre, whose gallery of illustrious men contains the portrait of the Count of Superunda. About a hundred metres from the main entrance is his birthplace and his palace.
Riojan Emigration Centre, in Torrecilla en Cameros. Author: larioja.org
Next to the palace of the Manso de Velasco family is the Parish Church of San Martín, where we can visit the Parish Museum, with its Corpus Christi Processional Canopy, donated by the Count of Superunda in 1753. Other points of interest are the Plenary Hall of the Town Hall, where there is a portrait of Felipe Nestares Ruiz (1926), an indiano who carried out important works, and the Espacio Sagasta.
4. Deer rutting in the Ezcaray Valley
Author: José Carlos
One of the symbols of autumn in La Rioja is the bellowing of the deer, one of the most curious phenomena of Iberian nature. One of the places where you can hear these sounds of love is the Ezcaray valley and the high areas of the Sierra de La Demanda. Here you can go on excursions to see these animals and listen to their mating calls. During the trips, which are carried out in 4×4, an interpreter guide leads the participants to the strategic observation points, always respecting minimum safety distances and without disturbing.
5. Grape tasting in the garden of Bacchus (Vivanco)
In the Garden of Bacchuslocated in the outdoor room of the Museum Vivanco of Wine Culture, you can discover a collection of more than 200 different grapes from Spain and the world. In the grape tasting, you can taste from the most common grapes used in winemaking to the most atypical and peculiar ones. The aim is to discover the origin of wine and the grape varieties from which wines from all over the world are made. For more information on prices and availability, call 900 823 536 or send an email to reservas@vivancoculturadevino.es.
