Ride Through These Stunning Countries
Join us for unforgettable motorcycle adventures across the heart of Europe. Our guided tours take you through:
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road
Elevation: Up to 2,504m (Edelweissspitze)
Length: ~48km
Region: Salzburg to Carinthia
Highlights: Austria’s most iconic mountain road, winding through the Hohe Tauern National Park with views of the Grossglockner (Austria’s highest peak).
Experience: A motorcyclist’s playground with hairpins, panoramic viewpoints, and the famous Edelweissspitze lookout. [visitcarinthia.at]
- Nockalm Road
Elevation: Up to 2,042m
Length: ~35km
Region: Carinthia
Highlights: 52 gentle bends through the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, known for its larch and stone pine forests.
Experience: A scenic and relaxed ride with educational stops, alpine museums, and nature exhibits.
- Silvretta High Alpine Road
Elevation: Up to 1,760m
Length: ~22km
Region: Vorarlberg to Tyrol
Highlights: Connects Montafon and Paznaun valleys, with views of the Silvretta mountain group and the Ill river.
Experience: Well-maintained tarmac (asphalt) road with sweeping bends, and some tight curves, help make this a technical and rewarding ride.
- Gerlos Alpine Road
Elevation: ~1,628m
Length: ~12km
Region: High Tauern National Park
Highlights: Nine major turns and views of the Krimml Waterfalls.
Experience: A short but scenic ride with a 9% gradient and access to hiking trails and aquaparks.
- Goldeck Panoramic Road
Elevation: ~1,895m
Length: ~14.5km
Region: Carinthia
Highlights: Views of Lake Millstatt and picnic spots.
Experience: A gentle ride with ten turns and panoramic vistas.
- Villach Alpine Road
Elevation: Up to 1,732m
Length: ~16.5km
Region: Carinthia
Highlights: Views of Villach, Worthersee, and the Julian Alps.
Experience: A scenic ride with multiple viewing platforms, including the dramatic "Rote Wand."
- Otztal Glacier Road
Elevation: ~2,830m (2nd highest paved road in Europe)
Region: Tyrol
Highlights: Glacial landscapes and high-altitude riding.
Experience: A challenging ascent with breathtaking views.
France offers some of the most spectacular high elevation motorcycle roads in Europe, especially in the French Alps, where high passes, balcony roads, and historic routes combine to create unforgettable riding experiences. Here's a detailed look at the best high alpine passes and routes for motorcyclists in France:
- Route des Grandes Alpes
Overview: This legendary route stretches from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, weaving through the heart of the French Alps.
Experience: A multi-day journey packed with high passes, alpine villages, and dramatic landscapes. Ideal for riders seeking variety and challenge.
- Col de l’Iseran
Height: 2,764 m
Details: The highest paved pass in the Alps, offering sweeping views and a remote, rugged feel.
Ride Quality: Demanding but rewarding, with long climbs and stunning descents.
- Col du Galibier
Height: 2,642 m
Details: A favorite among cyclists and motorcyclists alike, this pass delivers tight switchbacks and panoramic views.
Ride Quality: Technical and scenic, with a tunnel option for poor weather.
- Col de la Bonette
Height: 2,715 m (2,802 m via summit loop)
Details: Often claimed as the highest road in Europe thanks to its summit loop.
Ride Quality: A dramatic climb with lunar-like terrain and expansive vistas.
- Col d’Izoard
Height: 2,360 m
Details: Known for its unique rock formations and desert-like scenery.
Ride Quality: A surreal experience with a mix of smooth and rugged sections.
- Col du Grand Saint-Bernard
Height: 2,469m
Details: A historic route linking France, Italy, and Switzerland, with a tranquil alpine lake and monastery.
Ride Quality: Peaceful and scenic, with most traffic diverted to the tunnel.
- Col du Turini
Height: 1,607m
Details: Famous for its role in rally racing, this pass features dense forests and tight curves.
Ride Quality: A technical ride with Mediterranean flair near Nice.
Germany may not have the towering alpine passes of Austria or Switzerland, but it offers exceptional motorcycle touring, especially along the Deutsche Alpenstraße (German Alpine Road)—a scenic masterpiece that winds through Bavaria’s alpine foothills. Here's a detailed look at the best high alpine routes and passes for motorcyclists in Germany:
- Deutsche Alpenstraße (German Alpine Road)
Length: ~484km
Route: From Lindau on Lake Constance to Schönau am Königssee
Highlights:
Sweeping curves through the Bavarian Alps
Stunning lakes like Chiemsee, Tegernsee, and Königssee
Historic towns such as Füssen (home to Neuschwanstein Castle)
Scenic passes like Oberjoch Pass with 105 bends
- Oberjoch Pass
Elevation: ~1,178m
Location: Near Bad Hindelang in the Allgau Alps
Highlights: One of Bavaria’s most popular motorcycle routes with 105 curves.
Experience: A thrilling ride with panoramic views and smooth tarmac
- Rossfeld Panorama Road
Elevation: ~1,570 m
Location: Near Berchtesgaden
Highlights: Germany’s highest scenic road, offering views of the Salzburg basin and the Berchtesgaden Alps.
Experience: A short but spectacular loop with wide curves and dramatic vistas.
- Sudelfeld Pass
Elevation: ~1,123m
Location: Between Bayrischzell and Oberaudorf
Highlights: Popular among motorcyclists for its curves and alpine scenery.
Experience: A great warm-up route before tackling longer alpine stretches.
- Kesselberg Road
Elevation: ~850m
Location: Between Kochelsee and Walchensee
Highlights: A historic mountain road with tight bends and lake views.
Experience: Often busy, but worth riding early in the day for a peaceful experience.
Italy's Tyrol region—especially South Tyrol (Alto Adige)—is a motorcycling paradise, offering dramatic alpine scenery, thrilling passes, and well-maintained roads. Here's a detailed look at the best high alpine motorcycle passes in Italy with a focus on the Tyrol region:
- Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio)
Elevation: 2,758 m (2nd highest paved pass in the Alps)
Location: Between Bormio and Prato allo Stelvio
Highlights: 48 hairpin bends, epic views, and a legendary status among iders.
Experience: A bucket-list ride with technical switchbacks and panoramic vistas. Best ridden early in the day to avoid traffic. [ditisitalie.nl]
- Timmelsjoch (Passo del Rombo)
Elevation: 2,474m
Location: Connects Austria’s Ötztal with Italy’s Passeiertal in South Tyrol
Highlights: The "Top Mountain Crosspoint" museum, sweeping curves, and stunning alpine architecture.
Experience: Smooth tarmac especially on the Austrian side leading to rugged terrain on the Italian side.
- Jaufen Pass (Passo di Monte Giovo)
Elevation: 2,094m
Location: Between Sterzing and St. Leonhard in Passeier
Highlights: Connects two scenic valleys with tight curves and expansive views.
Experience: A thrilling ride with a mix of forested sections and open alpine roads.
- Gardena Pass (Passo Gardena))
Elevation: 2,136m
Location: Between Corvara and Selva di Val Gardena
Highlights: Part of the famous Sellaronda circuit, surrounded by the Sella massif.
Experience: the surface is smooth, the landscape scenic (great photo stops).
- Pordoi Pass (Passo Pordoi)
Elevation: 2,239m
Location: Between Arabba and Canazei
Highlights: Cable car to Sass Pordoi, views of Marmolada and Piz Boe.
Experience: Tight hairpins and dramatic Dolomite landscapes.
- Campolongo Pass)
Elevation: 1,875m
Location: Between Corvara and Arabba
Highlights: Fourth pass in the Sellaronda loop.
Experience: Gentle curves through alpine meadows.
- Karer Pass (Passo di Costalunga)
Elevation: 1,752m
Location: Near Nova Levante
Highlights: Gateway to the Great Dolomites Road.
Experience: Great views of the Latemar range across this scenic pass.
- Mendel Pass)
Elevation: 1,363 m
Location: Near Bolzano
Highlights: Forested climbs and views over the Adige Valley.
Experience: A relaxing ride with wide curves and good road conditions
Slovenia's Julian Alps offer a captivating blend of rugged mountain terrain, pristine lakes, and winding roads that make it a hidden gem for motorcycle touring. Nestled between Austria and Italy, this region is ideal for riders who enjoy technical mountain passes, cultural charm, and natural beauty.
- Vrsic Pass
Elevation: 1,611m
Highlights: Slovenia’s highest mountain pass, featuring over 50 cobbled hairpin bends.
Experience: A challenging and rewarding ride with dramatic alpine views, especially through Triglav National Park.
- Mangart Saddle
Elevation: ~2,055m
Highlights: One of the highest paved roads in Slovenia, offering panoramic views and tight curves.
Experience: A short but intense climb with breathtaking scenery—perfect for experienced riders.
- Passo del Predil
Location: Connects Slovenia with Italy
Highlights: Smooth curves and open views of Lake Predil.
Experience: A scenic cross-border route ideal for combining with Italian alpine tours.
- Soca Valley
Highlights: Known for its emerald-green river and lush surroundings.
Experience: A relaxing ride through one of Slovenia's most picturesque regions, with opportunities for stops at waterfalls and gorges.
- Lake Bohinj & Lake Bled
Highlights: Slovenia's most iconic lakes, surrounded by forested hills and alpine peaks.
Experience: Ideal for rest days or scenic detours, with nearby attractions like Savica Waterfall and Bled Castle.
- Kanal–Neblo Route
Length: ~13km
Highlights: A twisty road through the western Julian Alps, following the Soča River.
Experience: A moderately technical ride with variable road widths and charming villages.
- Triglav National Park Circuit
Route: A loop through Slovenia's only national park, including Vrsic Pass, Lake Bohinj, and the Upper Soca Valley.
Experience: Combines natural beauty with cultural stops, ideal for multi-day touring.
The Legendary Swiss Trio: Furka, Grimsel & Susten Passes
These three passes form a loop near Andermatt and are often considered the crown jewels of Swiss alpine riding.
- Furka Pass
Elevation: 2,429m
Highlights: Famous for its appearance in the James Bond film Goldfinger, this pass offers sweeping curves, dramatic views of the Rhone Glacier, and thrilling hairpins.
Experience: A mix of fast sweepers and tight turns with panoramic vistas.
- Grimsel Pass
Elevation: 2,164m
Highlights: Known for its stark granite landscapes and turquoise reservoirs. It connects to the Furka and Susten passes, making it ideal for loop rides.
Experience: Smooth tarmac and wide curves make it a joy to ride.
- Susten Pass
Elevation: 2,260m
Highlights: A 46 km route with tunnels, bridges, and stunning rock formations. It’s less trafficked than Furka, offering a more relaxed ride.
Experience: A mix of technical sections and scenic stretches, perfect for photography stops.
- Other Notable Passes
Gotthard Pass
Elevation: 2,106m
Highlights: Historic cobblestone sections and modern roads. The old Tremola road is a must for vintage charm.
Experience: A blend of history and adventure, with views of the Ticino region.
- Nufenen Pass
Elevation: 2,478m (highest paved pass entirely in Switzerland)
Highlights: Offers expansive views and connects Valais with Ticino.
Experience: Less crowded, with long straights and tight switchbacks.
- Umbrail Pass
Elevation: 2,501m
Highlights: Fully tarmac (asphalt)ed and connects to Italy’s Stelvio Pass.
Experience: A quieter alternative with grand valley views.
- Albula Pass
Elevation: 2,315m
Highlights: Dramatic cliff-side riding and varied terrain.
Experience: A mix of smooth and cracked surfaces, ideal for experienced riders.
Why Choose McTours?
Our tours are designed for riders who crave adventure, comfort, and cultural immersion. We offer:
- Experienced guides
- Thoroughly researched and handpicked routes with breathtaking scenery
- Quality hotels with the best regional cuisine
- Varied itineraries that appeal to different skill levels
Ready to ride?
Contact McTours today to book your next European Motorcycle Tour!