Most Scenic Motorcycle Routes in the World
There’s nothing like hitting the open road on your motorcycle with the wind in your hair and nothing but open road and amazing views ahead of you. You can do this on any old highway or freeway, but why not ride the most scenic motorcycle routes in the world?
On this list, I’ll cover routes that have incredible views, great sightseeing, and unforgettable adventures. Let’s get right into it!
1. Trollstigen, Norway
Norway is known for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and its roads are no exception. Trollstigen is a road in Norway that is part of the Norwegian County Road 63 which is a 65-mile road that connects Skjåk to Åndalsnes. Trollstigen (or Trolls Ladder) is about 4 miles long and has 11 hairpin turns that ascend 2,500 feet.
There’s also an 800-foot waterfall called Stigfossen Waterfall on this little section of the road, so it’s packed with beauty and amazing views the entire way up. When you get to the top, there’s a lookout point and a visitor’s center. It’s only open a couple of months a year due to its proximity to the Arctic Circle. It’s usually open from mid-May to November, but check online before you go to make sure it’s open.
2. Pacific Coast Highway, USA
When it comes to ocean rides, the Pacific Coast Highway in California is one of the best in the world. It’s 656 miles long and has incredible ocean views the entire time! People travel from around the world to complete this epic ride. Some of the best stops along the route are Big Sur, Santa Monica Pier, Solvang, and even the Golden Gate Bridge!
This highway has been closed many times due to fires, so check to see if it’s open before starting. If there are no fires, it’s open year-round and can be completed in five days if you’re short on time, or 10 days if you want to really enjoy the ride and experience everything there is to see.
3. Amalfi Coast, Italy
This is one of the most incredible roads there is. The Amalfi coast is a 30-mile stretch of coastline that has some of the most beautiful cities and landscapes in all of Italy. You can start your journey either in Salerno or Sorrento and work your way across the coast. Some of the cities you can’t miss are Positano (the most famous city), Amalfi, Praiano, Furore, Conca dei Marini, Atrani, and Minori. You can see all these cities in a day or you can space out your tip and spend a day in each city.
The road itself winds high up in the mountains and then dips down into the seaside towns. You will get plenty of twists, turns, viewpoints, and much more. Just watch out for the buses because they stop for no one.
4. Col du Tourmalet, France
This is one of my favorite rides on the list. The route is actually part of the Tour de France, which is the most popular bike race in the world. This mountain stage of the Tour makes for a fantastic bike ride (if you’re in really good shape) or an epic motorcycle ride. This winding road is in the Pyrenes Mountain Range at an elevation of 7,000 feet.
This col (or mountain pass) is part of a longer ride called the Route des Cols des Pyrenees. It’s a 570-mile route that will take you to all the best paved mountain passes in the Pyrenees that pass through little mountain towns, past hundreds of waterfalls, and offers some of the best views in the Pyrenees. This route is only accessible during the summer, so make sure to plan accordingly.
5. San Juan Skyway, USA
Let’s face it, the best roads to ride are in the mountains. That’s why the San Juan Skyway is one of the best routes when it comes to mountain roads. It’s 236 miles of pure mountain heaven in Colorado that starts and ends in Durango. Some of the most iconic cities that it passes through are Silverton and Ouray, which sit at 9,300 feet and 7,800 feet, respectively.
They are both old mining towns that are famous for their old American feel and natural beauty. They are also some of the best hiking spots in the world. Just remember that at these elevations, everything is going to feel a lot harder. You’ll want to do this route in the summer because, in the winter, the roads are slick and dangerous.
6. Transfagarasan Highway, Romania
This is one of the lesser-known routes on this list but is getting more and more popular as the years go on. It’s an old military road that passes through the Fagaras mountains in Transylvania. The road is at an elevation of 6,500 and is Romania’s most popular road. However, even with its popularity, the road is mostly empty.
Another cool thing about it is that it passes between the two highest peaks in Romania. It’s only 56 miles long, so you can do it as a day trip. The major cities near it are Sibiu and Râmnicu Vâlcea which you can stay in before and after the ride. The road is only open from June to early October, so make sure you plan accordingly.
7. Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam
This loop has been on my bucket list for a while now. The Ha Giang Loop in is northern Vietnam and takes three to four days to complete. Most people take a bus from the city of Hanoi to Ha Giang, where they rent a motorcycle and start their journey. You can also ride up from Hanoi depending on how long you want to go.
Some of the highlights of the loop are Heaven’s Gate Pass, Dốc Chín Khoanh, and Mã Pí Lèng Pass. You will also travel through small villages, see endless rivers, and ride past towering rice terraces. March-April and September-November are the best times to do this loop because you’ll avoid the brutal summer months and rainy season.
8. Manali Leh, India
This 266-mile-long highway in India connects Leh to Manali and is in the Himalayas and when I say in the Himalayas, I mean IN the Himalayas. The highest elevation of the ride is 17,500 feet at Tanglang-la base. The ride starts at 6,400 feet and ends at 11,500 feet, so if you struggle with altitude, maybe stay clear of this one. Also, the “road” that this route is on starts out pretty good, but as you get closer to Leh, the worse the conditions are.
On your ride up, you’ll be driving up high mountain passes, past (and sometimes through) glacial rivers, and long valley roads. July-September is the only time you can make the full trip from Manali to Leh, but even during these months, the weather is unpredictable, so keep an eye on the weather. This is 100% guaranteed to be the trip of a lifetime!
9. Route des Grandes Alpes, France
This route is long and mountainous and has everything that you could ever want as a biker. This route starts in the high mountains of Lake Geneva and winds through France all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in Nice. It’s 450 miles long, but if you don’t have time to do the entire trip, no worries! The route from Beaufort to Briancon is 170 miles long and will provide all the mountain beauty of the rest of the route in just a day trip!
Some of the places you’ll be riding through are Bourg-St-Maurice, Val-d’Isere, Col de l’Iseran, Bonneval-sur-Arc, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, and Col du Lautaret (just to name a few). If you want to complete the full route, it will take you 3-5 days depending on how much time you want to spend in some of the adorable French towns. This ride through the French Alps cannot be missed!
10. Great Ocean Road, Australia
Enough of the mountains, let’s move down to the ocean! Australia has some of the most jaw-dropping gorgeous beaches in the world and you can ride 150 miles down under while enjoying endless ocean views! This is a relatively short ride and can be completed in just a couple of days, but it will be one you’ll never forget!
Some of the best stops along the way are The Grotto, Loch Ard Gorge, Griffiths Island Lighthouse, Point Addis, Childers Cove, and The 12 Apostles. There are also waterfalls further inland and even redwoods! It’s like you are driving the Pacific Coast Highway but in Australia!
11. Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand
This is one of the most famous routes in Southeast Asia and will be sure to amaze you! It’s 370 miles of Thai mountain roads dotted with little towns along the way that are some of the cutest places in the world. The route starts in the famous city of Chiang Mai, goes past the tallest mountain in Thailand, and over to Mae Sariang. Then, it heads up to Khun Yuam and the incredible city of Mae Hong Son, before moving on to Baan Rak Thai.
The last stop on the loop is Pai, which is one of my favorite towns in all of Thailand, and finishes back in Chiang Mai. It’s usually split into four days, all of which will be action-packed while enjoying the best food in the world. Just make sure you don’t do this route during “smoke season” when they are burning their crops from January to April.
12. Gavia Pass, Italy
If you love riding mountain passes like I do, then Gavia Pass is one you can’t miss. It’s one of the highest mountain passes in Italy at 8,600 feet and is not very well known, so you will most likely have the road all to yourself! The route is only about 30 miles long and starts in the city of Bormio and passes the Cerulean Lago Bianco, Lago Nero, and Stelvio National Park before ending in the little town of Ponte de Legno.
This pass is also where a lot of people start or finish their ride through the Dolomites, and is considered one of the most incredible parts of the journey. Make sure you check the weather and webcams before heading up the pass, as the weather is very unpredictable and can turn on a dime.
13. Tizi-n-Tichka Pass, Morocco
Now, we head down to Africa to another mountain pass, the Tizi-n-Tichka Pass. It’s at 7,200 feet and surrounded by nothing but dessert (except during the winter when there’s a little snow). If you’ve never heard of the Atlas Mountains, they’re what separates the Sahara Desert from the Atlantic Ocean. This pass is only about 30 miles long but is the most famous pass in this mountain range.
Most people will usually start their ride in Marrakesh and end in the seaside town of Agadir, which is famous for surfing, golden sand beaches, and laid-back beach vibes. The whole route is only about seven hours long but is a great way to experience the desert and sea in one day.
14. D8 Coast Road, Croatia
Last on the list, we have the D8 Coast Road in Croatia. It starts in the city of Split and ends in the medieval city of Dubrovnik (one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones!) You will have incredible mountains to your left and endless ocean views to your right on this 140-mile coastal road.
There are lots of viewpoints, islands, and beaches that you can stop at along your ride. When you get to Dubrovnik, the fun doesn’t have to stop there! You can continue to Montenegro and then on to Albania! The coastal roads never end! However, this list does…
What Do You Think?
That’s all I got for you! Did I miss anything? Are there any routes that you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading!
