What Are The Best Motorcycle Adventure Routes in Europe?

Spain

Think Spain is all about paella and package holidays? Think again. Tucked away on the Iberian Peninsula, it’s packed with thrilling adventure motorbike routes, with plenty of camping stop-offs.

Options include:

• Costa Brava. Admire the Catalonian coastline on this popular road trip. The warm Mediterranean climate of Spain’s east coast is an added bonus. You’ll also have the chance to break your journey up in the city of Girona.
   

• Camino de Santiago. This pilgrimage across northern Spain is also known as the ‘Way of St James’. It’ll take you to Santiago de Compostela, a city crammed full of historic monuments.
   

• Pyrenees. Running along the border between Spain and France, this mountain range will spoil you with gripping motorcycle adventure routes. The N-260 is one of the region’s major roads. And the Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aspin mountain passes are just over the border.

The French Alps

Stretching almost 1,000km, the Alps are Europe’s biggest chain of mountains. They’re often the backdrop to the Tour de France – one of the world’s great cycling races.

Their French arm offers plenty of variety, from towering peaks like Mont Blanc to high-end ski resorts such as Chamonix and Megève. Motorbike touring locations here include: 

• Route des Grandes-Alpes. This crosses the French Alps from north to south, linking the Mediterranean to Lake Geneva.
   

• La Bonette Loop. Located near Castellane, the Loop is full of gorges and valley roads. And the St Bernards Loop takes you into Switzerland and Italy too, after starting in Bourg St Maurice.
   

As the home of everything from boeuf bourguignon to luxury pastries, France’s culinary scene only sweetens the deal. Plus, you’re never too far from a welcoming campsite.

The Scottish Highlands

Spanning Loch Ness, the Cairngorms National Park, Ben Nevis, and the Caithness coast, the Scottish Highlands are never short of drama. This huge historic region in the country’s north-west has inspired everything from the poetry of Robert Burns to the Harry Potter films.

Yet it’s also criss-crossed with epic motorcycle adventure routes. These include:

• North Coast 500. This 500-mile trip around the northern Highlands coast features secluded beaches, charming fishing villages, and everything in between. It’s regarded as one of the nation’s best bike trips.
   

• Road to the Isles. Officially known as the A830, this takes you from Fort William to Mallaig. Once there, you can jump on a ferry to the Isle of Skye.
   

• A82. Stretching from Loch Lomond to Inverness, this A-road carries you past famous Scottish landmarks like Glencoe.

Italy’s Amalfi Coast

Perched on the western side of Italy, the beautiful Amalfi Coast runs from the Gulf of Naples to the Gulf of Salerno. It’s just a stone’s throw from world-famous sites like Sorrento, Naples, and Mount Vesuvius. And the warm Mediterranean climate means it’s perfect for beach lovers.

Need further inspiration when researching your motorcycle adventure routes? It may help that Naples is seen as the birthplace of modern pizza too. Make sure to check out:

• The SS163. This is the main route along the Amalfi Coast, taking you all the way from Sorrento to Salerno. For the coastal scenery alone, it could well be one of the best motorcycle roads in the country.

Norwegian Fjords

Norway is home to more than 1,000 fjords. On a basic level, these are long, deep stretches of water with steep land at the sides. But they’re so much more than that, offering sweeping panoramas and stunning natural beauty that has to be seen to be believed.

The country’s top motorcycle adventure routes include:

• Atlantic Road. This eye-catching route near Averøy spans a series of small islands along Norway’s west coast. The fact you’re exposed to the Atlantic’s ever-changing weather makes it even more thrilling.
   

• Nordkapp route. Perched right at the top of Norway – and Europe – the North Cape is certainly remote. Yet it easily captures the imagination. The best motorcycle roads to reach it are the E6 from Alta, followed by the E69. It’s not a trip you’ll forget in a hurry!
   

• Kystriksveien. Also known as the Norwegian Coastal Way, this can take you towards the Arctic, covering around 670km in the process.

The gear you’ll need on your European motorcycle touring route

Europe’s motorcycle adventure routes can vary dramatically when it comes to their different terrain, climate, and length. But a few bits of kit should help, whether you ride into humid summer conditions or an Atlantic storm.

Here are just a few examples of motorcycling and camping essentials:

• Sat nav to ensure you stay on the main motorcycle touring routes.
   

• Boots, which should be sturdy enough for different conditions but comfortable to ride in.
   

• Motorcycle jacket – preferably something lightweight and breathable. It’s also worth checking for waterproof options given Europe’s changeable weather.
   

• Helmet – this one goes without saying, but you’ll need a proper helmet for comfort and safety.
   

• Camping gear such as a tent and sleeping bag. Check if you’ve got enough room for a stove, basic utensils, and a torch.
   

• Backpack, ideally a compact one suited to light packing.
   

• Motorcycle accessories – think Panniers, a handy way to carry luggage on longer-distance trips, as well as the essentials like puncture repair and first aid kits.
   

• Official documents like your passport, driver’s licence, V5C vehicle logbook and insurance information, for example. Don’t forget to check your insurance policy is valid in the country you’re heading to. Different rules may well apply.

Do's and don’ts on your camping adventure

Before leaving home, look at these do's and don’ts to avoid any bumps in the road.

Safety when planning motorcycle touring routes in Europe

Exploring Europe’s top motorcycle adventure routes isn’t only about the scenery. Safety is just as important when planning your trip.

It’s a large and diverse continent, with the European Union home to around 449 million people alone. That means traffic laws and regulations will differ greatly from country to country.

We’re committed to rider safety and have plenty of tips and information on pre-ride checks.