Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure through the UK’s most breathtaking motorcycle routes?
The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s most scenic roads, offering riders an unforgettable experience filled with stunning landscapes, historic landmarks, and charming villages.
But with so many incredible routes to choose from, how do you know which ones are the best?
That’s where we come in. We’ve scoured the country to bring you the top 10 motorcycle routes in the UK that guarantee jaw-dropping views and unforgettable memories.
Top 10 Motorcycle Routes in the UK
Now, get ready to rev up your engine and hit the road as we take you on a journey through the UK’s most awe-inspiring routes.
1. The North Coast 500 – Scotland
The North Coast 500 (NC500) is the ultimate road trip on your doorstep, offering easy access, great scenery, challenging roads, good facilities, and lots of opportunities to take in your own detours or side routes. This 500-mile route starts and ends in Inverness, taking you on a journey through some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes.
In the height of summer, the NC500 can get busy, with the single-lane roads on the West Coast struggling to cope. The shoulder season of April/May and September/October might be preferable, with quieter roads, fewer midges, and often better weather than in the summer.
The road over the Pass of the Cattle into Applecross remains one of the great riding roads and can be challenging in adverse conditions, which are common. Food at the Applecross Inn is notoriously good, and the road around the peninsula to Torridon is another highlight.
There’s a free campsite by the YHA in Torridon, with youth hostels an affordable and convenient way of touring the loop without spending a fortune. Fuel is often a concern, but many of the villages along the way have 24-hour automated fuel pumps, and even the smallest of fuel tanks should be able to cope.
While it is possible to do the NC500 in three days or less, to enjoy it fully, a good five days would be best advised, as the pace is slow and the opportunities to stop plentiful.
2. East Coast Discovery Route – England
The East Coast Discovery Route is a 180-mile journey that takes you from the old English seaside resorts of the East Coast to the stunning roads across the Yorkshire moorland. Starting in Skegness, the route traces up the east coast, through Mablethorpe and out into the Lincolnshire Wolds to the Humber Bridge.
Over the Humber Bridge, head east to Withernsea and follow the coast from there. The road is particularly good: quiet, twisty, and well-sighted, with Flamborough Head worth stopping at once you get to the top.
On to Scarborough and the A171 all the way up to Whitby. This is a lovely road with some nice sweeping corners, though watch out for some of the hidden dips and corkscrews.
From Whitby, a good route if you’re heading south is to loop across to the North York Moors and come back down through that. The main road – the A169 – back down to Pickering is the quickest way, but for more interest, head down into Goathland and ride out the back of it to the west, where a network of quiet single-track lanes fan out south and west.
3. 63 Miles of Hills and Happiness – England
This 63-mile route is one of the most uninterrupted coastal runs in the country, passing through cliff-top moorland at the top of Exmoor National Park, down the steepest of hills, and having some quaint Devonshire villages to stop at on route.
Start in Woolacombe and ride along the A3123 to Berry Down Cross, then hang a left at Blackmoor Gate to pick up the A39 that you’ll remain on for the next 50 miles, all the way into Bridgwater.
A good deviation is to take the side roads in the direction of Martinhoe, turning left immediately after the Lynton and Barnstaple Narrow Gauge Railway Adventure centre, heading down to the cliff tops and then down through the narrow lanes, past Lee Abbey, and on through the stunning Valley of the Rocks, before coming out at the back of Lynton.
There are some lovely villages on the way, including Lynton and Lynmouth, then Porlock a little further along. The harbour front of Lynmouth is particularly pleasant, with a good selection of eateries.
4. The Trans European Trail – England to Scotland
The Trans European Trail (TET) is the first fully mapped legal trail route through mainland Europe, with 1,634 miles of the total 2,112 miles running through the UK. Starting at Newhaven Ferry Port in East Sussex, the route takes you all the way up to North Shields in Tyne and Wear.
The TET isn’t entirely non-tarmac, as some of it relies on linking sections between the legal trails, but the real draw is in the ease of being able to follow the route and the community that’s grown up around it, with riders across Europe sharing tips and advice.
Some of the trail is accessible to large capacity adventure machines, especially those with the right tyres, like stretches of the Fosse Way and the Ridgeway. But other parts, notably the Lake District, are better suited to lightweight trail bikes in or around the 250cc class, as these stretches can be quite challenging.
5. The Windermere Loop – Lake District
The Lake District is a paradise for motorcycle enthusiasts, and the Windermere Loop is the perfect way to explore this stunning region. This 65-mile route takes you around Lake Windermere, offering breathtaking views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Start your journey in the charming town of Windermere and take the boat across to the west shore. From there, you’ll ride along the shores of Coniston Waters, passing through picturesque villages and unspoilt landscapes.
The route also includes the famous Wrynose Pass and the steepest pass of them all, Hardknott. And if you have time, you can venture further north to ride the Honister Pass.
With its stunning scenery and challenging roads, the Windermere Loop is a must-ride for any motorcycle enthusiast visiting the Lake District.
6. The North East 250 – Scotland
The North East 250 is a new addition to the UK’s motorcycle routes, and it’s already making waves among riders. This 250-mile route takes you through the heart of Scotland, offering a diverse range of landscapes and experiences.
Starting in Glenshee, the route takes you through Speyside, the Cairngorms, Royal Deeside, Aberdeen, the East Coast, and the Moray Coast. Along the way, you’ll explore everything Scotland is famous for, from whisky distilleries and golf courses to castles and stunning beaches.
The North East 250 may not have the remote, scenic views of the NC500, but it’s significantly quieter and offers a unique glimpse into the heart of Scotland.
7. The Welsh Valley Retreat – Wales
If you’re looking for a motorcycle adventure that takes you from the bustling south west to the quietest coast of the UK, the Welsh Valley Retreat is the route for you. This 100-mile journey takes you through the stunning Brecon Beacons, up to Rhayader, and out through the Elan Valley.
Start your journey in Chepstow and head north on the A466 to Monmouth, passing the worthwhile rest-stop of the Tintern Abbey ruins. From there, head west on the A40 to the Brecon Beacons, where you can explore the narrow lanes that cross the Beacons.
The route also takes you to Rhayader, where you can enjoy good facilities and lodging options. And don’t miss the stunning run along the top of the Elan Valley, following the road to Devil’s Bridge Falls.
8. To a Yorkshireman’s Wedding – Yorkshire
This 132-mile route takes you through the stunning Yorkshire countryside, offering challenging riding and breathtaking views. Starting in Skipton, head north to Settle, where you’ll find some good eateries.
From there, take the winding B6479 up to the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle line. Then head north east to Hawes, with the Wensleydale Creamery a worthwhile stop along the way.
Two options now to get to Kirby Stephen: either west on the A684 then north on the B6259, or head north along the Buttertubs Pass. This can be a wild route if the weather’s bad, but it offers stunning views of the moorland.
The route also takes you to Alston, where you can stay at the biker-friendly Haggs Bank Bunkhouse and camping.
9. Plodding Through the Peak District – England
The Peak District can be a busy place, but if you take a route up through the middle on a weekday, it can feel as remote and wild as you want it to be. This 80-mile route shuns the obvious ones such as the Cat and Fiddle and Snake Pass, offering a more scenic and less crowded experience.
Start in Matlock and head north to Rowsley, where you take a right up towards Chatsworth House. From Baslow, take the A623 up to Chapel en le Firth, but don’t miss the good riding up towards Castleton and the Edale loop, with the climb up through Winnats Pass a highlight.
From Chapel-en-le-Frith, take the road up to Glossop, then the B6105 north alongside the Torside Reservoir and across the Woodhead Reservoir. Rather than straight up to Holmfirth, take the A6024 that branches off to the left and runs up and over Holme Moss.
The route ends in Hebden Bridge, which is a great launch place for exploring the Yorkshire Dales to the North.
10. Making for the Highlands – Scotland
If you want to explore the Scottish Highlands without having to traipse through the Glasgow/Edinburgh corridor, the Making for the Highlands route is the perfect choice. This 135-mile journey takes you from the borders of Scotland all the way up to Inveraray, the self-titled gateway to the Highlands.
Start in the village of Crocketford, just to the west of Dumfries, and head up to Ayr on the A712 and A713. From there, follow the A78 around to Greenock to the west of Port Glasgow, where you take a short ferry across to Dunoon.
From Dunoon, ride the main A815 alongside Loch Eck, then around the stunning Loch Fyne to Inveraray. If you have time, take the B836 just out of Dunoon, in the direction of Clachan of Glendaruel, where you’ll also find a great campsite.
Top 10 Motorcycle Routes in the UK: Wrap-up
These top 10 motorcycle routes in the UK offer riders an unforgettable experience filled with stunning views, challenging roads, and charming villages.
From the rugged coastlines of Scotland to the rolling hills of the English countryside, these routes showcase the best of what the UK has to offer.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your helmet, rev up your engine, and hit the road. Adventure awaits!
