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Sierra de la Demanda and Urbión in La Rioja. Photo: Tourism of La Rioja.

The nature of La Rioja through the Way of Saint James

After crossing the landscapes of Navarra, the Way of Saint James enters the Autonomous Community of La Rioja. The Pilgrim’s Way crosses the territory at its northern end, and pilgrims can enjoy its nature from the seventh stage, a day that ends in Logroño, the capital.

The River Ebro is responsible for welcoming the pilgrim. It is the second-longest river in Spain, after the Tajo, and the second largest after the Duero. The eastern end of La Rioja is bathed by its waters, which provides the area with the ideal geography and climate for growing grapes and making wine.

On the outskirts of Logroño, the Pilgrim’s Way follows its route through La Grajera Park, the city’s only natural park. A walkway flanked by cypress trees accompanies the pilgrim to a large reservoir used to irrigate the market gardens in the south.

La Grajera Park. Photo: Tourism of La Rioja.

La Grajera Park. Photo: Tourism of La Rioja.

Following the yellow arrows, the path climbs up to the top of La Grajera, from where you can see the whole green space and the city of Logroño. La Grajera Park has fishing areas, bird and fauna observation points.

In the eighth stage, on the way to Nájera, the pilgrim faces two climbs: The Alto de Navarrete and the Alto de San Antón. Two demanding stretches allow you to enjoy the panoramic view of the Najerilla valley. It is considered the central valley of the vineyards of La Rioja.

Later, on their way to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, pilgrims can visit the Botanical Garden of La Rioja in Azofra. It is the ideal place to learn about the natural diversity of the area and admire some of its rarest species. The garden has a peat bog of European carnivorous plants.

Flora and Fauna of La Rioja

Due to its geography and the seven valleys that make up the tributaries of the river Ebro, La Rioja has a very diverse flora. Heather and juniper heaths predominate, although beech and conifer forests are also present. However, the main protagonists are the vast fields of vines that sometimes become the only company of the pilgrim.

La Rioja has a list of 58 Singular Trees. It includes the most outstanding trees in the area, either for their age, their size or their shape. Following the route of the Way of Saint James, the pilgrim can see the Carrasquedo Spanish fir in Grañón, seven kilometres from Santo Domingo de la Calzada. It is 23 metres high and 311 years old. The rest are distributed throughout La Rioja.

The Autonomous Community has a total of six areas included in the Natura 2000 Network. In addition, some of them are considered Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPAs).

In the southwest of La Rioja are the Sierras de La Demanda, Urbión, Cebollera and Cameros. These mountains of the Iberian System are home to some protected species, such as the short-toed eagle and the golden eagle. As well as the grey partridge, the hen harrier, the honey buzzard, the booted eagle, and the eagle owl.

Short-toed Eagle.

Short-toed Eagle.

In addition, in the Sierra de Cebollera, you can find unusual small invertebrates such as the webbed newt, the asp viper and the green lizard. Mammals include the grey dormouse and the red vole, whose presence does not extend beyond this mountain range. The geographical position of Cebollera makes it a migratory route for European birds, such as the wood pigeon.

Beyond the Way

Pilgrims who can deviate from the route to Santiago de Compostela and get to know the area better should not miss the Cave of the Hundred Pillars and the Cave of Ajedrezado. The first of these is in Arnedo and is a cave complex whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. It is hidden underground, and it is believed that the inhabitants of the area used it as a refuge.

The Ajedrezado cave is in Santa Eulalia Somera. The complex is made up of two cavities connected by a corridor, and in one of them, an inscription in Latin can be read. History professors believe that this space was used to bury hermits who lived in other cavities.

The Sotos de Alfaro Nature Reserve is in the middle stretch of the banks of the Ebro. A space with a unique ecosystem through which the waters of the Ebro flow, creating meanders, islands, and beaches. The different hiking routes allow visitors to get to know the area and appreciate the natural diversity of the space.

In the flooded copses grow poplars, willows, ashes, and alders. They are home to storks, herons, hoopoes, and kingfishers, among others. European mink and otters can also be spotted in the waters of the Ebro. Furthermore, within the Reserve, you can visit the Collegiate Church of San Miguel, a 17th-century temple on which hundreds of storks nest every year.

The Sierra de Cebollera Nature Reserve is 53 kilometres from Logroño. Within the Iberian System, it is a privileged geological enclave due to the glacial formations at its highest altitudes.

In the Nature Park Interpretation Centre, located in Villoslada de Cameros, you can visit a permanent exhibition and watch an audio-visual showing the evolution of the landscape throughout history.

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