Las Conchas de Haro

Las Conchas de Haro is a natural rock gorge carved by the Ebro River right on the boundary between Labastida (Bastida) in the Basque Country and La Rioja. This is where the river slices through a narrow limestone corridor between two mountain ranges, creating one of the most recognisable landscapes of the Rioja Alavesa area and neighbouring Haro.

What will you see there?

The gorge sits at roughly 445 metres above sea level and separates two rock formations: the Riscos de Bilibio, the tail end of the Obarenes mountains, and the Riscos de Buradón, part of the Sierra de Cantabria (also known as Sierra de Toloño). The Ebro squeezes between these limestone walls through a narrow channel, and seen from above the cliffs on either bank look almost like a natural gate between the two regions.

The site also carries real geological weight: it's one of the best places to observe the Alpine overthrust, a structure where rocks of the Basco-Cantabrian basin have been pushed over those of the Ebro basin, a continuation of the south-Pyrenean overthrust system. Because of this scientific value, Las Conchas de Haro was added in 2022 to La Rioja's inventory of geologically significant sites.

The cliffs flanking the gorge once held two settlements, Bilibio and Buradón. Excavations at Buradón uncovered the remains of a paleo-Christian church, the only one of its kind confirmed so far in the Basque Country. The strategic position over this narrow river passage also led the Romans to build fortifications on the surrounding rocks, controlling movement along the Ebro.

Where are the best viewpoints?

The most iconic views over the gorge and the Ebro valley open up from three spots: the Riscos de Bilibio, the ridge of the Sierra de Toloño, and the area around the Ermita de San Felices hermitage, perched above the ravine. From any of these you can take in both the rocky channel itself and the wider panorama of Rioja Alavesa's vineyards, with Haro visible on the opposite bank.

How to get there and when to visit?

Las Conchas de Haro sits right next to the road connecting Haro and Labastida, so reaching it by car is straightforward — you can park nearby and continue on foot to the viewpoints. The area also has marked walking and cycling routes, including one that runs from Labastida toward San Ginés and back, passing close to the gorge. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when temperatures are mild and the surrounding vineyards look their best — green in spring, coloured by the harvest in autumn.

It's also worth stopping in the nearby villages along the river: Briñas, Salinillas de Buradón and Miranda de Ebro, which together with Haro and Labastida form a natural route for exploring this stretch of the Ebro.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Las Conchas de Haro? It's a natural rock gorge where the Ebro River cuts through between the Obarenes mountains and the Sierra de Cantabria, right on the border of La Rioja and the Basque Country.

Why is this site geologically important? Because it clearly shows the Alpine overthrust, a tectonic structure linked to the south-Pyrenean overthrust, which is why it was added to La Rioja's geological heritage inventory in 2022.

Where's the best place to view the gorge? From the Riscos de Bilibio viewpoint, the ridge of the Sierra de Toloño, or near the Ermita de San Felices hermitage.

Can you reach it on foot? Yes, marked trails run through the area, including a route linking Labastida with San Ginés.