San Millán de la Cogolla & the Cárdenas Valley — Nájera to the Cradle ofSpanish.
Distance
40 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
450 m
San Millán de la Cogolla & the Cárdenas Valley — Nájera to the Cradle of Spanish.
A short, gentle loop from the Camino town of Nájera up the green Cárdenas valley to San Millán de la Cogolla. The twin monasteries of Yuso and Suso are a UNESCO World Heritage site and the place where the first written words of Spanish were set down. Vineyards, oak woods and the Sierra de la Demanda rising behind. Easy paved roads — a relaxed half-day of history close to Logroño.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance40 km
Days1
Total climb450 m
DifficultyEasy
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The route.
NájeraStart · Old royal capital on the Najerilla and a key Camino de Santiago stop, with the pantheon of Santa María la Real. Head south up the Cárdenas valley.
BerceoScenic Point · Birthplace village of Gonzalo de Berceo, the first Spanish poet known by name. Vineyards and the Demanda foothills open up here.
San Millán — Yuso MonasteryPhoto Spot · The grand lower monastery (11th c.), the Escorial of La Rioja, holding the Emilianense codices — the cradle of written Spanish. Part is now a hotel.
San Millán — Suso MonasteryScenic Point · The older upper hermitage-monastery on the hillside above Yuso, with Mozarabic arches. A short climb rewards with valley views.
NájeraEnd · Roll back down the Cárdenas to Nájera to finish.
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