The best motorcycle itineraries in Europe and in the world

Every motorcycling or tourism publication has tried to put together a list of the best routes in the world. They have drawn on experience from those who work in the business or people who have quite simply put in the hard (yet pleasurable) hours on the road, as well as using the feedback from their readership.

We’ve analyzed some of these top ten lists that have been published on the web to find out which routes are the most uniformly popular. The world is full of tracks that seem made for 2 wheels, and unfortunately, one lifetime is not enough to try them all…. We’d love to hear your comments and suggestions.

North and Central America

DUFFY LAKE ROUTE - CANADA

A 575km ring road in the Vancouver area that starts on Highway 99 west of the Canadian city and passes through some really spectacular scenery. The first part is along the fjord in Howe Sound with mountain and sea views, then on to the desert area in Pemberton, after that you’ll be greeted by lush scenery that will accompany you to Lilloet and Fraser Canyon. A real pleasure to ride on,… this route gives you a taste of what this part of the American continent has to offer.

CRESTON, BC TO KOOTENAY BAY – CANADA

Just a small stretch of road when you consider how vast this country is. 72 short, yet intense kilometres. We’re in the south of British Columbia, along the eastern coast of Lake Kootenay. It’s interesting to note that part of this itinerary (9km) requires crossing Lake Belfour on a ferry (free).

THE HANA HIGHWAY, HAWAII

Ocean on one side, mountains on the other. 60 miles through Jurassic Park with around 600 bends and 60 small one-way bridges. This is a real paradise for motorcyclists in search of routes off the beaten track.

ROUTE 66. THE MOTHER ROAD

Exactly. The mother of all roads. Almost 4,000km, from Chicago to Los Angeles, crossing through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY, VIRGINIA

The local charm of the country passing through sites from the battles during the Civil War, then it’s up towards the Great Smoky Mountains winding through the bends of Blue Ridge Parkway.

NEEDLES HIGHWAY, BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA

An amazing highway (it almost seems as if it was made for motorbikes) that takes you directly to Sturgis Motorcycles Rally. Along the way you’ll be accompanied by beautiful scenery, tunnels with granite walls, buffalos grazing in the pastures, and you’ll spot numerous wild small animals going about their day. Make sure to ride with prudence.

TAIL OF THE DRAGON AT DEALS GAP, NORTH CAROLINA/TENNESSEE, USA

11 miles with 318 bends. Whether it be considered heaven or hell, it is noted as one of the most incredible American routes to ride on. Along the way you’ll find motorcycle parts hanging from trees, an homage to the various falls along the road. It’s also one of Hollywood’s favourite stretches to film. The Tail of the Dragon is ideal for sport bikes. Luckily, no trucks are allowed…..

BEARTOOTH PASS, WYOMING

An adventurous itinerary to say the least, with enough ups and downs to rival the best roller-coasters. Incredible mountains, dense forests, rivers, … snow and tundras. If you find yourself in the vicinity, add this pass to your itinerary. You won’t be sorry.

PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, CALIFORNIA

320 km (200 miles), from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. For many this is one of those stellar routes that should be on everyone’s list. Beaches, forests of redwoods, cliffs of Big Sur, the capital of surfing in Santa Cruz, Monterey… finishing up on the Golden Gate Bridge.

AMERICA’S WILD WEST

The wildest part of west America Here you get to drive through the lands of the Navajo and Apache, and you can go off-road, adventuring along the parallel trails. And what could be better than traversing the 1,864 miles of canyons, deserts and forests? Not to mention the border cities or the great National Parks.

PALOMAR MOUNTAIN

One of the favourite roads of American bikers is found between San Diego and Los Angeles. It takes you away from the coast in the direction of the Cleveland National Forest. From here you can visit the spectacular High Point in the Palomar Mountain range. It’s here that you’ll find the famous observatory that from 1949 to 1992 enjoyed the title of the biggest in the world. Keep an eye out for the rattlesnakes though……

PEAK TO PEAK HIGHWAY: COLORADO

A diverse patch of nature in just 60 miles, with a road that offers some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. You can find the famous Rocky Mountain range here. Settle down for the night here, and take in the night sky from the warmth of your sleeping bag.

GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD: MONTANA

Remote, and accessible only in summer, this epic stretch of narrow and winding road which is 50 miles long is the holy grail for adventure lovers. It goes through the Glacier National Park in Montana, and Logan Pass at an altitude of 2,000 metres. Don’t forget your binoculars, and to check the weather forecast before setting off.

COASTAL ROUTE ONE: MAINE

You may just get a whiff of seafood as you make your way along this coast. It’s Route 1 from Brunswick to Machias in New England. All up there are 167 miles that wind through small seaside towns, breathtaking scenery off the beaten track and old light houses. It would be advisable to keep two fingers on the brake: you just might find yourself eye to eye with a moose around the next bend.

RIVER ROAD: TEXAS

A loop for hardcore motorcyclists of 17 miles through the Valley of the Gods. The high point of the road that follows the Rio Grande, is a 115-mile long trail. Best to avoid it in the summer. Too much dust.

PIKES PEAK, COLORADO, US

A road that takes you up amongst the clouds. It’s also a known hill-climbing spot for motorcyclists that has an annual competition with a starting point of 2,800 metres, that goes up to 4,300 metres. The maximum incline is 10.5%.

PRUDHOE BAY – ALASKA

Best left to experienced bikers. This is Alaska, a place known for it’s extreme, yet stunning landscape. You’re up against disconnected dirt roads, rain, snow ….. it’s better faced in a group, perhaps even with a specialised tour. The route is worth the hard work.

THE GREAT RIVER ROAD (HWY 61)

2,552 miles that start in Itasca State Park in Minnesota and end up in Jackson in Louisiana. The route (GRR 61) was created in 1938 and is still considered one of the most beautiful stretches of road for motorcyclists in that it goes through the 10 states that border the Mississippi, departing from its source in Louisiana Cajun Country, passing by marshland, dense woods and rocky areas without ever getting close to built up industrial zones.

COSTA RICA

A number of day-long routes leaving from the capital San Josè, and taking you through rainforests, across rivers, along beaches, even besides a volcano….

COZUMEL ISLAND LOOP MEXICO

Short, yet intense. 41 miles in total, leaving from San Miguel and returning to the second biggest island of Mexico. Beaches, a Mayan village, a black coral factory, tequilla and much more….

CHASING CHE, CUBA

2,000 km, from L’Avana to Baracoa, on an island that was a sort of forbidden fruit for decades. A true beauty, that can finally be crossed also by American citizens.

South America

THE CARRETERA AUSTRAL – CILE

550 miles leaving from Chaiten and going south until Villa O’Higgins. On this stretch you will rarely see any asphalt. This road is best tackled only by experienced off-road motorcyclists. You’ll be rewarded by views of pristine lakes, glacial waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery.

LOS CARACOLES PASS, CHILE AND ARGENTINA

Chile and Argentina share at least 5,000 miles of a border. Los Caracoles is the most important pass between the two countries and connects Santiago to the region of Mendoza.

SERRA DO RIO DO RASTRO, SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

The most famous motorcycling track in Brazil passes through this mountain range which is located in the south, in the state of Santa Caterina.

RUTA 40. THE END OF THE WORLD

One of the longest roads in the world. We’re talking about a massive 5,301km from Cabo Vírgenes (Santa Cruz) to Quiaca (Jujuy) on the borer of Bolivia. Enchanting landscapes which take you through a record number of 20 National Parks! Utterly amazing!

CHE GUEVARA TOUR

This very popular long South American route was made famous by Che who wrote about his extraordinary experiences in his diary.

Europe

Norway

Italy

Spain

France

Regno Unito E Irlanda

Romania

The Transfagarasan Highway – Sibiu to Curtea de Arges, Transylvania, Romania
Built in 1970 by direction Nicolae Ceaucescu ……to dominate nature. This road crosses the highest mountains of Romania for a good 90km. It snakes around with fast bends, and leaves you speechless with its beauty. Please note that it is closed in Winter. This road connects the historical regions of Transylvania and Wallachia.

Switzerland

Furka Pass, between Gletsch and Andermatt, Switzerland

Turkish motorcyclists say it reminds them of the Eastern Anatolia. Take a break to admire the glaciers.

Deutschland

Nurburgring, Germany
A legendary route that is 43 miles south of Cologne and 75 miles north-west of Frankfurt. It naturally includes the automobile circuit built in 1984 and 12.8 miles long (one of the most demanding in the world), but what will really fascinate you will be the hamlet and medieval castle of Nürburg.

Eastern German Alpine Road
150 km. Leaving from Bayrischzell, in Oberaudorf you set off north towards Brannenburg and then east towards Samerberg and Bernau, then south once again until you reach Reit and then north again following the 305 until Berchtesgaden, that gives its name to the beautiful national park. You’ll drive through the mountains of Chiemgau, through the green forests and pastures. A corner of Germany that is not to be missed.

Portugal

Silver Coast Route – Portugal
An itinerary of 260km that starts in Lisbon and ends up on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean near Aveiro. You’ll find many interesting little towns, on roads that are perfect for motorbikes, such as Sintra, Ericeira, Figueira da Foz, to name a few. A large quantity of mountains, forests, beautiful, wild beaches, that few other countries could offer, with compulsory side trips such as “Cabo da Roca”, “Bidos e Nazaré, where Hawaain surfer Garret McNamara surfed a Guiness World Record wave of 24m.

Africa

South Africa

Morocco

Morocco
North Africa is perfect for those motorcyclists who are after a winter escape. There’s something for everyone – all types of bikes, and ability levels. The more adventurous can head south and face the mule tracks and sand dunes. And then there is the High Atlas,on the the Atlantic Coast.

Ceuta to Marrakesh loop, Morocco
On the ferry to Ceuta and then there’s a long stretch of 2,570km that explores the exotic kingdom and the desert culture. You’ll cross the mountains from Rif to Fes and then the Atlas range to end up in the Sahara in Erfound. The Todgha Gorge, the palms of Ouarzazate, and Marrakech are not to be missed. You head back along the Atlantic coast going through Agadir and Casablanca.

Asia

Turkey

Trabzon to Savsat, Eastern Turkey
300 km that feel as if you’re passing through different continents. From Trabzon you’ll head towards Hopa that is situated on the border with Georgia. Here the women are colourfully clothed with red and brown striped shawls, and you’ll travel through the lush tea plantations. Then it’s off to the heat in the Eastern Anatolia Region. You’ll travel along parallel to the border until you find the town of Artvin, where you will then find yourself in ‘Switzerland’. Well, at the very least, you’ll feel as if you were, what with the crisp, fresh air and your green surroundings. This is Savsat.

China

Russia

THE ROAD OF BONES, MAGADAN TO YAKUTSK, RUSSIA

Another large endeavour. The road of bones (as legend would have it this road was paved with a mixture of earth, gravel and bones ot the prisoners who died while building it) is 2,320km long and starts in Madagan on the sea of Okhotsk and Yakutsk on the Eastern shore of Lena.

Thailand

MAE HONG SON LOOP

In south-east Asia, in Thailand to be exact, there is this wild loop that is worth experiencing on two wheels. It goes for 600km through the mountainous country side of the country with over a thousand hairpin bends. Enough to make your head spin. Luckily, with a smorgasboard of waterfalls, caves and villages to visit, there will be plenty of breaks. It’s best to travel clockwise, as it’s a bit more pleasant. Average travel time is 4 days. Departure from Chiang Mai.

Vietnam

NORTH VIETNAM

In the middle of the remote Northern province. Departing from Hanoi, soon the roads become single lanes and full of pot holes, and then subsequently become small dirt road tracks. What makes the route so special? Well, because it takes you through lush valleys, up and down tea and coffee plantations. It’s a real pleasure to ride, and you’ll be well and truly away from the hustle and bustle we all know too well.

MONTAIN AND SEA VIETNAM

A 120km circuit that snakes it way from Nang City to Hue City, in the centre of the country. You’ll pass by the coast, small villages, rice fields, a stunning national park and passes over the mountains.

Japan

JAPAN

A country still mostly undiscovered by motorcyclists from the rest of the world. A Japanese publication asked its readers to vote on the most beautiful roads, so we’ll give them to you as we found them. There’s nothing more we can add.

Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
Aso Panorama Line
Kouya Ryuujin Skyline
(tie) Shimanami-kaido
Shiretoko Oudan Road
Izu Skyline
Shiga Kusatsu Road
Yamanami Highway
Venus Line
Bandai Azuma Skyline

The Arab Emirates

THE JEBEL HAFEET MOUNTAIN ROAD, ABU DHABI

This route is just over 11km and takes you up to 1,200m high with an incline of 8%. This stunning mountain road is about 60 minutes outside of Dubai. The Hafeet Mountain Road reaches the border with Oman and boasts 60 bends and a smooth surface that has recently been paved. A real joy to ride on!