Best Motorcycle Routes in Europe — Ultimate Touring Guide

Europe is, without question, the greatest motorcycle touring continent on earth. Within a single day's ride you can cross national borders, climb from sea level to 2,700 meters, ride through four climate zones, and experience road engineering that ranges from ancient Roman trade routes to modern Alpine tunnels blasted through solid granite. The roads are immaculately maintained, the fuel infrastructure is dense, and the riding culture runs deep — from the Sunday morning sportbike runs through the Swiss passes to the week-long adventure tours across Scandinavia.

This guide covers the best motorcycle routes in Europe — the roads that every serious touring rider should experience at least once. Each entry includes practical details like elevation, distance, best season, and links to explore the full route on MotoVault.

Stelvio Pass and the Dolomites — Italy

Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio)

The Stelvio Pass is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps at 2,757 meters and one of the most iconic motorcycle roads in the world. The eastern approach from Prato allo Stelvio climbs through 48 numbered hairpin turns over 24.3 km — each bend tighter and more dramatic than the last. The western descent to Bormio adds another 40 hairpins. The road surface is excellent, the gradient manageable, and the views of the Ortler glacier are otherworldly.

Key facts:

• Elevation: 2,757 m
• Distance: 49 km (Prato to Bormio)
• Hairpin turns: 88 total
• Open: Late May to mid-November (weather dependent)
• Best time: June or September (less traffic than July-August)

Ride the full Stelvio Pass route on MotoVault.

The Dolomites Circuit

The Dolomites offer arguably the densest concentration of world-class motorcycle passes anywhere. Within a 150 km radius you can ride Passo Pordoi (2,239 m), Passo di Giau (2,236 m), Passo Sella (2,218 m), Passo Gardena (2,121 m), and Passo di Falzarego (2,105 m) — each with its own character. The Sella Ronda loop connecting four of these passes is a 55 km circuit that can be ridden in either direction and takes about two hours of pure riding bliss.

The Dolomites are best combined with the Stelvio in a multi-day tour. Three to five days lets you ride every major pass without rushing. Explore all Italian routes on MotoVault.

Grossglockner and Timmelsjoch — Austria

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

The Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is a 48 km toll road that climbs to 2,504 meters through the Hohe Tauern National Park. It is Austria's most visited tourist attraction for good reason — the road was engineered specifically for the driving experience, with wide lanes, sweeping curves, and 36 hairpin turns. At the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe viewpoint, you stand face-to-face with the Pasterze Glacier and Austria's highest peak (3,798 m).

Key facts:

• Elevation: 2,504 m (Hochtor tunnel), viewpoint at 2,369 m
• Distance: 48 km
• Toll: Approximately 30 EUR for motorcycles (2026)
• Open: Early May to late October
• Best time: June and September

The road surface is superb — freshly paved and well-maintained. Traffic can be heavy in July and August, especially with tour buses. Early morning arrivals (before 9 AM) give you the cleanest run.

Ride the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and explore all Austrian routes on MotoVault.

Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road

The Timmelsjoch (2,474 m) connects Austria's Otztal Valley to Italy's Passeier Valley and is one of the finest cross-border rides in the Alps. The Austrian side features a modern toll road with dramatic architecture — the open-air galleries are striking pieces of mountain engineering. The Italian side descends through tighter, more technical switchbacks into South Tyrol.

The Timmelsjoch Motorcycle Museum, located at the top of the Austrian side, houses a remarkable collection of vintage and racing motorcycles. It is worth an hour of any rider's time.

Key facts:

• Elevation: 2,474 m
• Distance: 35 km (Obergurgl to St. Leonhard)
• Open: Mid-June to mid-October

Furka, Grimsel, and Susten — Switzerland

Switzerland's central Alps contain three passes that form a natural triangle, and riding all three in a single day is one of the classic European motorcycle experiences.

Furka Pass

The Furka Pass (2,429 m) gained fame as the location of the James Bond car chase in Goldfinger, and it delivers on the cinematic promise. The road climbs through alpine meadows dotted with wildflowers in summer, crosses a barren moonscape near the summit, and offers views of the Rhone Glacier. The surface is smooth, the corners are well-sighted, and the gradient is consistent.

Ride the Furka Pass route on MotoVault.

Grimsel Pass

The Grimsel Pass (2,164 m) is darker and more dramatic than the Furka — granite walls, hydroelectric dams, and turquoise reservoirs give it an almost Icelandic atmosphere. The road surface is excellent, and the sweeping curves along the reservoir are among the most satisfying in Switzerland.

Ride the Grimsel Pass route on MotoVault.

Susten Pass

The Susten Pass (2,224 m) is often called the most beautiful pass in Switzerland. The eastern approach through the Meien Valley builds gradually through forest and meadow before erupting into a series of tight hairpins with views of the Stein Glacier. The western descent drops through a dramatic gorge.

Riding the Furka-Grimsel-Susten triangle covers approximately 120 km and takes 3-4 hours with photo stops. Add the Gotthard Pass and Nufenen Pass for a full day of 250 km through five passes.

Explore all Swiss routes on MotoVault.

Trollstigen and the Atlantic Road — Norway

Trollstigen (The Troll's Path)

Trollstigen is a mountain road in western Norway that climbs 858 meters through 11 hairpin turns carved into a near-vertical cliff face, with the Stigfossen waterfall (320 m) cascading directly beside the road. It is one of the most visually dramatic motorcycle roads on the planet. The viewpoint platform at the summit extends over the cliff edge and offers a vertigo-inducing perspective straight down the switchbacks you just climbed.

Key facts:

• Elevation gain: 858 m
• Gradient: 10% average, steeper in sections
• Hairpin turns: 11
• Open: Late May to October (weather dependent)
• Road width: Single lane in sections with passing places

The road is narrow by Alpine standards, and you will share it with campervans and tourist buses. Patience is required. Ride early in the morning or late in the afternoon for the best experience.

Ride Trollstigen on MotoVault.

The Atlantic Road (Atlanterhavsveien)

The Atlantic Road is an 8.3 km stretch of coastal highway that hops between small islands via a series of low bridges, the most famous being the Storseisundet Bridge — a gravity-defying arc that appears to launch vehicles into the ocean when approached from certain angles. On a stormy day, waves crash over the road surface. On a calm day, the views across the Norwegian Sea are endless.

The Atlantic Road itself is short, but combining it with Trollstigen and the coastal route through the fjords creates a 3-4 day loop through some of Norway's most spectacular scenery.

Explore all Norwegian routes on MotoVault.

Transfagarasan and Transalpina — Romania

Transfagarasan Highway (DN7C)

Jeremy Clarkson famously called the Transfagarasan "the best road in the world," and while every rider's ranking differs, the claim is defensible. The road crosses the Fagaras Mountains at 2,042 meters through a series of tight switchbacks, long sweeping curves, and a tunnel through the summit ridge. The northern approach is the star — a relentless climb through dense forest that suddenly opens into exposed alpine terrain with views across the Carpathians.

Key facts:

• Elevation: 2,042 m
• Distance: 90 km (Curtea de Arges to Cartisoara)
• Open: Late June to late October
• Road surface: Variable — generally good but with patches in places

Unlike the Swiss or Austrian passes, the Transfagarasan has minimal traffic management. You will encounter stray dogs, horse carts, and shepherds moving flocks across the road. This is part of the charm. The lack of guardrails in some sections demands focus.

Transalpina (DN67C)

The Transalpina reaches 2,145 meters — higher than the Transfagarasan — and is far less crowded. The road is rougher in sections and less dramatic in its switchbacks, but the isolation and wild scenery are unmatched. Riding both roads in a 2-3 day loop from Sibiu is one of the best-value motorcycle touring experiences in Europe.

Ride the Transfagarasan and explore all Romanian routes on MotoVault.

Sa Calobra — Mallorca, Spain

Sa Calobra (MA-2141) is a 9.4 km descent from the Col dels Reis (682 m) to the coast on the northwest shore of Mallorca. It packs 26 hairpin turns into its short length, including the famous 270-degree loop known as "The Knot" where the road crosses over itself. The road surface is excellent — Mallorca is a professional cycling destination and the roads are maintained accordingly.

Key facts:

• Elevation change: 682 m
• Distance: 9.4 km
• Hairpin turns: 26
• Open: Year-round
• Best time: March to May, September to November

The key to Sa Calobra is timing. Tour buses start arriving around 10 AM and the narrow road becomes difficult to enjoy. Ride it before 9 AM on a weekday and you will have the road nearly to yourself. The return climb is even more rewarding than the descent — the views over the Mediterranean are stunning.

Combine Sa Calobra with the coastal road through Deia and Valldemossa for a full-day circuit of the Serra de Tramuntana — Mallorca's mountain spine.

Ride Sa Calobra and explore all Spanish routes on MotoVault.

Col du Galibier — France

The Col du Galibier (2,642 m) is one of the legendary climbs of the Tour de France, and on a motorcycle it is no less impressive. The approach from the south via the Col du Lautaret is a steady climb through alpine meadows with views of the La Meije glacier (3,983 m). The final push to the summit is a narrow, exposed ribbon of tarmac above the tree line with panoramic views across the Ecrins and Vanoise massifs.

Key facts:

• Elevation: 2,642 m
• Distance: 35 km from Briançon
• Open: Late May to October
• Road surface: Good but narrow near the summit

The Galibier is best ridden as part of a loop including the Col du Telegraphe (1,566 m) and the Col d'Izoard (2,360 m). This triple-pass circuit covers approximately 180 km and offers a full day of some of the finest mountain riding in France. The region around Briançon — the highest city in France at 1,326 m — makes an excellent base.

Ride the Col du Galibier and explore all French routes on MotoVault.

Planning Your European Motorcycle Tour

Best Season

The Alpine pass season runs from late May to mid-October, though the highest passes (Stelvio, Grossglockner, Galibier) may not open until mid-June in heavy snow years. September is widely considered the ideal month — warm days, clear skies, manageable traffic, and autumn colors beginning to appear at higher elevations. July and August bring the warmest weather but also peak tourist traffic, especially on famous roads like the Stelvio and Grossglockner.

Norway's roads open later — Trollstigen typically opens in late May and closes in October. The midnight sun in June and July means near-unlimited riding hours in northern Scandinavia.

Romania's passes open in late June. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions with fewer tourists.

Mallorca is rideable year-round, though winter brings rain. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are ideal — warm enough for comfortable riding, cool enough to avoid the summer heat and crowds.

Logistics Tips

• Fuel planning — Alpine fuel stations are frequent (every 30-50 km on main routes) but can be sparse on secondary roads. Always fill up before climbing a pass.
• Tolls — Austria requires a vignette for motorways. Switzerland requires a vignette. Italy's autostrade use per-distance tolling. Many Alpine passes have individual tolls (5-30 EUR for motorcycles). The Grossglockner and Timmelsjoch are toll roads.
• Accommodation — Book ahead in July and August, especially in popular areas like the Dolomites and Swiss Alps. Many Alpine guesthouses and hotels offer locked garages for motorcycles — ask when booking.
• Border crossings — Schengen zone crossings are seamless with no stops. Switzerland is in Schengen but not in the EU, so currency changes to Swiss Francs. Romania is in the EU and joined Schengen for air travel in 2024.
• Emergency number — 112 works across all EU countries and Norway.

Use MotoVault to Discover and Navigate

Every route mentioned in this guide is available on MotoVault with GPS tracks, elevation profiles, waypoint details, and rider ratings. Browse routes by country on the explore page, add them to your trip plan, and navigate turn-by-turn from your phone.

Whether you are planning your first Alpine adventure or your tenth, MotoVault helps you discover the best roads, plan multi-day tours, and ride with confidence. Download it free and start planning your next European motorcycle tour.