Daroca de Rioja – Trails, Festivals and Historic Sites

Daroca de Rioja has an extensive network of paths and trails through oak, pine and beech forests, with panoramic views of the Ebro and Iregua valleys as well as Rioja Alta and Rioja Media.

Nature and Trails

The Barranco del Colorao is a large red rock ravine in the Sierra de Moncalvillo; it is visible from a distance from the upper part of the mountain range. The Sierra de Moncalvillo has numerous paths and routes for hiking. The Neveras de Moncalvillo include restored and signposted historic ice houses and charcoal-burning sites on the heights of the Sierra de Moncalvillo.

At the entrance to Hornos de Moncalvillo, there is a picnic area with barbecue facilities, a spring and tables.

Routes

The circular route 13 Ruta de las bodegas passes through Daroca, climbs steeply to the reservoir and then continues into the forest. The family-friendly El Tablón route connects Daroca with the towns of Medrano and Entrena.

Getting There

The LR-341 road connects the municipality of Daroca de Rioja to Hornos and Sotés in the west and to Medrano and Sojuela in the east. On weekdays, buses run from Logroño to Daroca de Rioja at 09:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00; in the opposite direction, they run at 09:30, 13:25, 16:35 and 19:25.

For a holiday apartment in Daroca de Rioja, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be used as points of comparison. Depending on the focus, forest paths, routes, festival dates and transport connections provide different reference points for planning.

More Places

For more ideas of places to visit, you can also access Castroviejo, El Cortijo, Enciso, Cenicero, Tricio, Las Ruedas De Ocón, Sojuela and Villalobar De Rioja.

Culture and Festivals

The restored 17th-century Ermita de San Lorenzo stands outside the town on the site of an earlier chapel of the same name dating from the 13th century. The ruins of the medieval Ermita de San Lamberto lie south of the town, less than 1 km uphill along the Camino del Santo; only remnants of the ground plan remain.

The exhibition of old agricultural machinery usually takes place over a weekend between the end of August and the beginning of September every two years in odd-numbered years. Tools and machinery illustrating rural life in the more recent past are displayed on the town’s streets and in its buildings.

On the weekend that includes the feast day of Saint Lorenzo on 10 August, two masses and processions with traditional dances take place. These festivities include cultural events, a traditional chop tasting, children’s games, chocolate celebrations and public dances.

The celebration in honour of Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio takes place on the second Sunday in November; since 2007, the programme week has included exhibitions, concerts, other cultural events and a communal meal. A Baroque image of Nuestra Señora del Patrocinio dates from the 17th century. The main altar is Neoclassical and dates from the 19th century.

For the higher-level travel overview: La Rioja.