Garage door open, the smell of petrol and leather, and in your head you're already riding the first bend. For us motorcyclists, Europe is the most varied riding ground there is. Whether you ride a heavy adventure bike, a nimble naked bike or a relaxed cruiser: among the best motorcycle routes in Europe there's guaranteed to be something for you.
Here you get around 2,500 kilometres of route recommendations, from the big classics to quiet side passes. You'll also find out what to watch out for in each region so the tour goes smoothly. So: pack your panniers, check your tyres, off you go.
The 10 best motorcycle routes in Europe
We start with the legends. These are the roads you'll still talk about years later, and that every motorcyclist should have ridden once.
1. Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria)
It's not called "the queen" for nothing. When you stand at the top in the car park at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe looking at the Pasterze glacier, you remember why you ride a motorcycle. The 48 kilometres are fun from start to finish.
Riding fun: 36 hairpins and gradients of up to 12 percent.
Tip: buy your ticket in advance in the Glocknerstraße online shop, then you'll skip the queue at the Ferleiten toll booth (north entrance) or Heiligenblut (south). At the top the speed limit is 70 km/h, by the way. Also be sure to ride up to the Edelweißspitze. The short cobbled stretch takes you to 2,571 metres, and at the top you have a 360-degree panorama.
2. Transfăgărășan (Romania)
Once an insider tip, now world-famous. The road crosses the Făgăraș mountains in the Carpathians and is much wilder than most Alpine passes.
Riding fun: the northern ascent is spectacular. It winds like a grey snake through the green valley.
Tip: watch out for stray dogs and, no joke, bears. The region has one of the highest bear densities in Europe.
3. Trollstigen (Norway)
Imagine a road built almost vertically into the rock. That's exactly what Trollstigen is.
Riding fun: eleven hairpins plus the view of the Stigfossen waterfall.
Tip: fines in Norway are extremely high. Better enjoy the view and take it easy on the throttle.
4. Amalfi Coast (Italy)
The SS163 is the coastal road in its purest form. Rock face on the left, a steep drop to the deep blue sea on the right.
Riding fun: tight bends where your knee almost brushes the old stone walls.
Tip: don't ride it in August. Heat and coaches take all the fun out of it then. May and September are the better months.
5. Route Napoléon (France)
From Grasse to Sisteron you ride the route Napoleon once took. The road is well built and flows nicely.
Riding fun: wide radii, ideal for sports tourers.
Tip: plan a detour into the Gorges du Verdon, the "Grand Canyon of Europe". The gorge starts at Castellane, which is right on the route.
6. Wild Atlantic Way (Ireland)
This isn't about speed, but about the experience. The route stretches over 2,500 kilometres along the rugged west coast.
Riding fun: narrow roads, flocks of sheep on the tarmac and lush green everywhere.
Tip: spend money on really good rain gear. In Ireland you often get all four seasons in one afternoon. More in Buying a motorcycle rain suit.
7. Silvretta High Alpine Road (Austria)
Many find it more beautiful than the Glockner because there's much less hustle. But note: the twisty Vorarlberg side from Partenen up to the Bielerhöhe has been closed since 2024 after rockfalls and mudslides, according to the German automobile club ADAC probably until at least summer 2030.
Riding fun: the western ramp has most of the hairpins, where you really get into a rhythm, once it reopens. Until then you can only reach the Bielerhöhe from the Tyrolean side via Galtür.
Tip: stop at the Silvretta reservoir at the top and look across to the Piz Buin group. Check the current road conditions before your tour.
8. Stelvio Pass (Italy)
The test of nerve among Alpine passes. 48 numbered hairpins on the South Tyrolean side from Prad and Trafoi, 34 on the other side towards Bormio.
Riding fun: very demanding, but a pass you should ride once in your motorcycling life.
Tip: practise hill turns beforehand. The hairpins are so tight you almost have to lean the bike over at a standstill.
9. Picos de Europa (Spain)
High mountains like the Alps, but without Alpine prices and without the heavy traffic.
Riding fun: twisting gorges such as the Desfiladero de la Hermida.
Tip: the region is known for its cheese. Try "Queso de Valdeón".
10. Magistrala (Croatia)
For many the best coastal road of all.
Riding fun: hundreds of kilometres of bends in a row, always right by the sea.
Tip: the police check strictly here. Enjoy the flow, but don't overdo it.
Alpine passes by motorcycle: classics and quiet alternatives
For many of us the Alps are the measure of all things. But every pass has its own character.
The classics: where you meet like-minded riders
On the Passo Pordoi or the Grimsel Pass in Switzerland you're never alone. These roads are something like the scene's regular meeting place. You meet people from all over Europe, talk shop at the kiosk and ride on very well-kept tarmac. The Bernina Pass in Switzerland belongs here too: spacious, safe and scenically magnificent.
Insider tips: where you can still hear your engine
If you're looking for peace, take the small, often single-lane passes.
Passo di Gavia (Italy): the small, nasty brother of the Stelvio. In places the road is only three metres wide, and there are stretches without crash barriers. That gives you butterflies.
Col de la Cayolle (France): one of the most beautiful passes in the Maritime Alps. You ride through a gorge so narrow you think you could touch the rocks.
Sölkpass (Austria): while everyone heads for the Glockner, you often have the road to yourself here. Lots of nature, no hustle.
Coastal tours: sea, bends and salt in the air
Starting the engine in the morning and smelling the sea: a day can hardly start better.
Sardinia: endless grip
Sardinia has a character all of its own. Among motorcyclists the tarmac is considered exceptionally grippy, and many explain that with the rough stone in the surface. You should definitely ride the SS125 Orientale Sarda. It leads through mountain massifs, and suddenly you're looking down on hidden bays.
Note: the rough surface eats rubber. Many report much more tyre wear than at home, so don't set off on half-worn tyres.
Corsica: the island of 10,000 bends
Corsica is wilder than Sardinia. The roads are narrower, and pigs or goats often cross the road. In the Calanche de Piana the red rocks positively glow at sunset. A moment you won't forget in a hurry.
Motorcycle routes through national parks and nature regions
In national parks you're right in the middle of nature, and it's often much quieter than on the well-known passes.
Black Forest (Germany)
The Black Forest is the German classic on the doorstep. Everyone knows the Black Forest High Road (B500), but my advice: leave the main road. The Münstertal or the road up to the Schauinsland have gradients and bends that really challenge you.
Important: at weekends the Black Forest is very busy. If you can, ride during the week. The Schauinsland road (L124) is even closed to motorcycles at weekends and on public holidays from April to October.
Dolomites (Italy)
The "pale mountains". The national parks here feel like open-air museums. The Sella Ronda is the best-known section, but also ride into the Paneveggio nature park. The wood for Stradivari's violins came from the forests there. The roads are emptier and nature more pristine.
Pyrenees (Spain/France)
The Pyrenees are the counterpoint to the Alps: drier, more rugged and lonelier. In the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park you feel like you're in a western. On the Spanish side the roads are often new and very well surfaced.
Motorcycle trips by region: what to expect
Germany: more than motorways
Germany is often underestimated. Away from the A7 there are really good riding areas:
Eifel: around the Nürburgring everything is geared to motorcyclists. The "Green Hell" is only the centre of a large network of twisty country roads.
Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge): roads reaching over into the Czech Republic, dense forests and very hospitable people.
Bavarian Forest: wide bends you can ride nicely under power.
Austria: hospitable, with a few rules
Austria likes motorcyclists. Most of the time, anyway.
Rules: watch out for the 95 dB rule in the Außerfern (Reutte district, Tyrol). If your registration papers state a stationary noise level above 95 dB(A), you're not allowed to ride on several roads from mid-April to the end of October, for example through the Lechtal, over the Hahntennjoch and in the Tannheimer Tal. According to the ADAC, the fine starts at €220.
Regions: Carinthia is ideal as a base for tours into Slovenia and Italy. In Styria the "Styrian Iron Road" tempts with industrial heritage and beautiful bends.
Switzerland: high Alpine and expensive
Scenically, Switzerland is hard to beat. Passes such as the Susten or the Furka are real feats of engineering.
Costs: Switzerland is expensive. Food and accommodation in particular cost noticeably more than in Germany. And you need a vignette for the motorway.
Caution: the police have no sense of humour. Even small speeding offences cost money, and larger ones quickly get very expensive, up to criminal proceedings. Ride relaxed and enjoy the scenery.
Italy: motorcycle country through and through
In Italy you're welcome everywhere on a motorcycle.
Tuscany: gentle hills, ideal for cruisers.
Abruzzo: the Gran Sasso is known as Italy's "Little Tibet". On the huge plateau you feel wonderfully far away from everything.
Food: every break becomes a culinary highlight. Even the espresso at the petrol station tastes better than many an expensive coffee at home.
France: empty country roads
France has the "départementales", the D roads. On these you're often alone for kilometres.
Auvergne: a volcanic region. It hardly gets twistier.
Vercors: dizzying roads carved straight into the rock faces. A must for adventurers.
Balkans: adventure almost on the doorstep
Not keen on mass tourism? Then head east.
Slovenia: the gateway to the Balkans. In the Soča valley you'll find the clearest water you've ever seen.
Montenegro: the Durmitor National Park is one of the last real wilderness areas in Europe.
Albania: an adventure bike makes sense here. The main roads are fine, but the best parts are on gravel tracks.
Scandinavia: winding down instead of racing
You don't ride to Scandinavia to be fast.
Sweden: endless gravel tracks, for example on the TET (Trans Euro Trail).
Norway: lots of tunnels and lots of ferries. Allow enough time, the average is often only 50 km/h.
Tips for planning your motorcycle tour through Europe
So the trip doesn't turn into stress, you should sort out a few things beforehand. More in Planning motorcycle trips in Europe.
The right gear
Layering: at the top of the pass it's 5 °C, down in the valley 30 °C. Merino underwear is worth its weight in gold.
Tyres: check your tread. An Alpine trip of 3,000 km eats more rubber than the daily commute.
Navigation app or paper map
Apps: use apps such as Calimoto or Kurviger. They find bends a normal sat nav doesn't know. More in The best motorcycle route planners.
Paper: take a map anyway. In the mountains you often have no signal, and even GPS sometimes plays up.
Stage length
Don't overestimate yourself. In the Alps, 250 km is already a full day's ride. You stop for photos, drink coffee, look around. If you stress yourself, you ride less safely.
In short: what type are you?
Europe has something for everyone. Are you the pass collector who takes every hairpin in South Tyrol? The connoisseur rolling past lavender fields in Provence? Or the adventurer looking for the next gravel pass in Albania? Whatever you choose: the main thing is that you get home safely.
The roads are there, and every bend has its own story. Now all that's missing is yours. So grab your bike, check the tyre pressure and go. See you on the road.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle trips through Europe
When is the best time for a motorcycle tour in the Alps?
Best from mid-June to the end of September. Before June many high passes are still closed for winter, and from October you have to expect the first fresh snow and slippery roads.
Do I need a vignette in every European country?
No. In Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia, for example, you need one for motorways. In France, Italy and Croatia, on the other hand, you pay distance-based tolls at toll booths. An overview of the various tolls in Europe is on the ADAC website (German).
Which motorcycle is best for Alpine passes?
Agility counts. Adventure bikes or naked bikes are ideal for tight hairpins. A heavy cruiser works too, but in hairpins like those on the Stelvio you need much more strength and riding skill.
Is the Stelvio Pass suitable for beginners?
It's a real challenge. The 48 hairpins on the north-east side from Prad are very tight and steep. You should be able to control your bike confidently at low speed and know how to turn on a hill.
What's the 95 dB rule in Austria about?
In the Tyrolean district of Reutte (Außerfern), from mid-April to the end of October there's a riding ban on several roads for motorcycles with a registered stationary noise level above 95 dB(A). That applies to foreign bikes too. Check your registration papers before you leave (in German papers, field U.1).
How many kilometres should I plan per day?
On flat terrain, 400 km is no problem. In the Alps or on twisty coastal roads you should limit yourself to 200 to 250 km so the tour stays relaxed.
Do I need special insurance for the Balkans?
Within the EU your normal insurance is enough. In Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia an EU number plate counts as proof of insurance, but the International Motor Insurance Card (formerly the "Green Card", now white) is recommended. In Albania and North Macedonia you need it, otherwise you have to take out short-term insurance at the border. The country code must not be crossed out on the card.
Which accessories are essential for long tours?
A comfortable seat, a good sat nav, a rain suit, a compact puncture repair kit and a power bank for your smartphone.
Are there special rules on helmets and gloves in Europe?
Helmets are compulsory everywhere. In France your helmet must also have reflective stickers (this applies to foreigners too), and you must wear CE-certified gloves. Here you'll find the detailed rules and regulations for each country.
How do I find motorcycle-friendly accommodation?
Look on portals such as "Bikerbetten" or for accommodation that explicitly describes itself as motorcycle-friendly. Such places often have covered parking, a drying room for clothing and tools for small repairs.
Corsica or Sardinia: which is more worthwhile?
Sardinia has the better tarmac and more flowing bends. Corsica is wilder and more varied scenically, but the roads are often narrower and in worse condition.
What do I need to watch when riding in a group?
Ride staggered (except in tight bends), never overtake each other within the group and always set the pace by the weakest rider.
Can I wild camp in Scandinavia?
Yes, thanks to the right of public access, it's allowed in Sweden and Norway under certain conditions. Motorised vehicles usually have to stay on paved surfaces, though.
How do I protect my motorcycle from theft when travelling?
Take a quality disc lock with an alarm and, if possible, park the bike in a lockable garage or within sight of your accommodation.
Which app is best for motorcycle routes?
Calimoto and Kurviger.de are the best known. Both are designed to find bends instead of sending you the fastest way over the motorway.
Sources
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road: driving safety and facts (GROHAG)
- Silvretta High Alpine Road closed until 2030 (ADAC, German)
- Stelvio Pass (Wikipedia, German)
- Tyrol: riding ban for loud motorcycles 2026 (ADAC, German)
- Road closure Schauinsland road L124 (BVDM, German)
- Motorcycle rules in France (ADAC, German)
- Countries where the Green Card is compulsory (GDV, German)
- Tolls and vignettes: all countries (ADAC, German)
Last checked: September 2026. Rules, closures and fines can change.