Is there a better way to experience absolute freedom than the smell of hot asphalt and a horizon that seems endless? Adventure motorcycle touring is currently living its golden age. No matter whether you live in Europe, Asia, or the USA, every two-wheel enthusiast has that one unique bucket list in mind — places that simply have to be visited before age starts setting different limits.
Reaching a certain age often comes with stability, but for many people it’s also the perfect moment to turn their boldest plans into reality. You already have the experience, the right skills, and — most importantly — you know exactly what you expect from your machine.
Here’s a subjective list of 5 iconic motorcycle routes around the world that combine technical challenges, breathtaking scenery, and a true cultural kaleidoscope. From the vast American backroads to the African gateways of the desert — get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
1. Route 66 (USA) – The American Dream on Two Wheels
It’s impossible to start this list anywhere else. Route 66, known as The Mother Road, is an absolute pop-culture classic and the ultimate symbol of motorcycle freedom. Originally stretching nearly 4,000 kilometers (2,448 miles), the route connects Chicago with Santa Monica, California, crossing 8 states and 3 time zones.
Route: Chicago (Illinois) ➔ Santa Monica (California)
Distance: approx. 3,940 km
Best time for the trip: May – June or September – October
Why do you have to ride it?
Riding Route 66 is like traveling back in time. This is where you’ll feel the spirit of old America — nostalgic 1950s gas stations, neon-lit motels, giant roadside sculptures, and classic American diners where the coffee has tasted the same for half a century. Although the route was officially removed from the U.S. highway system in 1985, its historic sections still attract hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists every year.
Motorcycle world fun fact:
Although Route 66 is mainly associated with heavy cruiser motorcycles (such as Harley-Davidson or Indian), more and more travelers are choosing Adventure-class bikes for this route, such as the BMW R 1250 GS. Why? Because the old concrete slabs of the legendary road in Arizona and New Mexico can be brutal on your spine, while the modern active suspension of touring motorcycles turns that demanding surface into a smooth carpet ride.
2. Andalusia Loop (Spain) – Europe’s Capital of Curves
If you’re looking for a place where the asphalt grips your tires like nowhere else and the number of corners per kilometer is enough to make your head spin, southern Spain is your Holy Grail. Andalusia offers some of the best motorcycle roads in the world, winding through the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges and picturesque white villages (pueblos blancos).
Route: Malaga ➔ Ronda ➔ Granada ➔ Sierra Nevada ➔ Malaga
Distance: approx. 800–1200 km (depending on the loop variant)
Best time for the trip: All year round (except for the extremely hot July and August)
Why do you have to ride it?
The route from Malaga to Ronda (the famous A-397 road) is an absolute legend. More than 40 kilometers of nonstop corners with perfect asphalt and a road profile that lets you fully unleash the potential of your machine. Andalusia combines the technical sections of alpine-style switchbacks with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and, on clear days, even the distant coastline of Africa on the horizon.
Ronda: A town split by the gigantic El Tajo gorge that will leave you speechless.
Sierra Nevada: The highest paved roads in Europe, where you can ride at altitudes exceeding 2,500 meters above sea level.
Motorcycle world fun fact:
Andalusia is the winter testing base for most professional motorcycle teams and journalists reviewing new models. The stable weather (over 300 sunny days a year) means that while Poland, Germany, or the northern USA are covered in rain and cold, the riding season around Malaga is still in full swing. The perfect solution here is the Fly & Ride formula — you fly into Malaga, pick up a fully equipped BMW GS from a local rental company (e.g. motorland.rent), and enjoy sunshine and perfect curves the very same day.
3. Stelvio Pass and the Alpine Classics (Italy / Austria / Switzerland)
For every European motorcyclist, the Alps are both motorcycle kindergarten and university combined. Passo dello Stelvio (2,758 m above sea level) in the Eastern Italian Alps is the second-highest paved mountain pass in the range and is considered by many to be one of the most demanding roads in the world.
Route: A loop through the Stelvio, Gavia, Grossglockner, and Furka passes
Distance: approx. 1,500 km (entire Alpine route)
Best time for the trip: June – September (during other months the passes are closed due to snow)
Why do you have to ride it?
Stelvio features 48 legendary tight hairpin turns (tornanti) on the northern side. Riding here demands perfect clutch control, throttle precision, and skillful use of the rear brake. This is not a route for relaxed sightseeing — here, you battle gravity, extremely tight corners, and heavy traffic from other road users. The reward, however, is incredible satisfaction and a summit view that looks like a giant spaghetti noodle thrown across the mountainside.
Motorcycle world fun fact:
The famous motoring show Top Gear once called the road over Stelvio Pass “the greatest driving road in the world.” While motorcyclists know that slightly wider passes (such as Austria’s Grossglockner High Alpine Road) offer a smoother riding flow, Stelvio remains the ultimate test of character for every rider.
4. Moroccan Adventure: Tizi n’Tichka Pass and the Dades Gorge (Morocco)
If Europe and the USA no longer feel adventurous enough for you, it’s time for true exotic riding. Morocco is the gateway to Africa — a country that hypnotizes with its colors, scents, and endless open spaces. The route leading from Marrakesh through the High Atlas Mountains all the way to the edge of the Sahara is the essence of Adventure touring.
Route: Marrakesh ➔ Ouarzazate ➔ Dades Gorge ➔ Merzouga (Erg Chebbi dunes)
Distance: approx. 1,000 km
Best time for the trip: October – November and March – April
Why do you have to ride it?
The key point of the route is the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m above sea level), offering spectacular desert-mountain scenery and hundreds of sharp corners. Farther along, the road leads into the Dades Gorge, where it literally climbs a vertical canyon wall, creating an incredible series of switchbacks famous from thousands of motorcycle wallpapers and travel photos. The journey ends in Merzouga, where the asphalt gives way to the red sands of the Sahara Desert.
Motorcycle world fun fact:
Morocco is demanding terrain — temperatures can change from 5°C in the higher parts of the Atlas Mountains to nearly 40°C in the desert within just a few hours. The key to success here is proper modular textile riding gear and a motorcycle capable of handling lower-quality fuel, constant dust, and sudden surface changes without complaint. Modern rental companies in southern Europe, such as Motorland in Malaga, allow riders to legally and fully insuredly enter Morocco with their motorcycles, making logistics much easier (all you need is a ferry from Algeciras to Tangier).
5. Pacific Coast Highway / Highway 1 (USA) – The Pacific Classic
To finish the list, we head back across the ocean to ride one of the most beautiful coastal roads on the planet. California State Route 1, widely known as the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), stretches along California’s dramatic cliffside coastline, connecting San Francisco with Los Angeles.
Route: San Francisco ➔ Big Sur ➔ Los Angeles
Distance: approx. 740 km
Best time for the trip: April – October
Why do you have to ride it?
Riding southbound (the recommended direction, since you ride on the ocean side and it’s easier to stop at scenic viewpoints) is pure poetry. On your right, you have the endless, roaring Pacific Ocean; on your left, majestic rolling hills. The most spectacular section is Big Sur, where the road winds high above the cliffs and the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge delivers views you’ve seen in dozens of Hollywood movies.
Highlights: Elephant seal colonies in San Simeon, the scent of eucalyptus forests, and evening fog drifting above the water.
Atmosphere: Pure California laid-back vibes, excellent infrastructure, and a car-driving culture where motorists willingly make room for motorcyclists (lane splitting is fully legal in California).
How to Turn Dreams into Reality?
All of these routes share one thing — each of them offers far more than just kilometers of asphalt. They are lessons in humility, opportunities to meet incredible people, and a source of memories that no one will ever take away from you.
Before turning sixty, logistics should not be a barrier. In the past, such a journey meant months of preparation, shipping your own motorcycle by sea, or risky “blind” travel with no guarantees. Today, thanks to professional rental hubs, you can organize the ride of a lifetime in just a few days. The key is choosing a reliable Adventure-class machine — like the iconic BMW GS — which forgives mistakes, ensures comfort, and gets you to your destination whether you’re crossing Alpine passes, Andalusian curves, or Moroccan off-road stretches.
And what is your dream route?
Which direction attracts you the most — raw North Africa, iconic America, or maybe technical and sunny Andalusia? If you’re planning your next motorcycle road trip and need advice on choosing the right bike, the best route, or on-the-ground logistics — drop a comment, and we’ll be happy to help you plan the adventure!
