Real-world routes across the UK and Europe, documented with a bias toward adventure touring. These are roads ridden, not just researched—complete with insights on surfaces, scenery, and suitable stopping points.
Wales
Snowdonia Circuit
280 miles2-3 days
A weekend loop through North Wales taking in the best mountain passes, coastal roads, and forest tracks. Includes the A5 through Snowdonia, the A470, and quieter B-roads around Cadair Idris.
Route Highlights
Llanberis Pass and views of Snowdon
Coastal stretch through Harlech and Barmouth
Forest roads around Dolgellau
Traditional market towns with biker-friendly cafes
Mix of fast A-roads and technical mountain passes
Lake District
Cumbrian Trails Explorer
120 miles1 day
Green lanes and byways through the Lake District, linking Keswick to Ulverston via legal off-road routes. Requires trail-capable bike and decent navigation skills.
Quiet tarmac linking sections through Lakeland villages
Mix of gravel tracks and challenging stone surfaces
Scottish Highlands
North Coast 500 Alternative
480 miles4-5 days
Avoiding the overcrowded NC500, this route explores quieter Highland roads with equally stunning scenery. Starts from Fort William and loops through lesser-known coastal and mountain areas.
Route Highlights
Remote single-track roads with passing places
Coastal sections with dramatic sea views
Mountain passes with minimal traffic
Wild camping opportunities throughout
Traditional Highland hospitality in small villages
Northern Spain
Picos de Europa Loop
320 miles3 days
Circuit of the Picos de Europa mountain range in northern Spain. Dramatic limestone peaks, narrow gorges, and sweeping mountain passes. Best ridden May to October.
Route Highlights
Incredible mountain scenery rivaling the Alps
Technical hairpin climbs and descents
Traditional mountain villages with authentic Spanish cuisine
Mix of smooth tarmac and rougher mountain roads
Relatively traffic-free outside August
Portugal
Algarve to Porto Coastal Run
420 miles4-5 days
Portugal's Atlantic coast from south to north, mixing coastal roads with inland mountain passes. Less touristy than Spanish routes, with excellent food and affordable accommodation.
Route Highlights
Dramatic clifftop coastal roads
Detours into the Serra da Estrela mountains
Historic towns and fishing villages
Excellent value for money throughout
Rideable year-round with mild winters
France
Massif Central Traverse
380 miles3-4 days
Through the volcanic landscapes of central France. Empty roads, dramatic gorges, and medieval villages that time forgot. Perfect for riders seeking solitude.
Route Highlights
Some of France's emptiest roads
Volcanic peaks and crater lakes
Deep gorges with winding canyon roads
Authentic French cuisine away from tourist areas
Smooth, well-maintained surfaces throughout
Yorkshire
Yorkshire Dales Circuit
180 miles1-2 days
Best of the Yorkshire Dales in a day, or split across a weekend with overnight in Hawes. Classic British scenery with excellent roads and traditional market towns.
Route Highlights
Buttertubs Pass with its spectacular views
Fast, flowing roads through Wensleydale and Swaledale
Cafe culture in Hawes and Grassington
Limestone scenery and dry stone walls
Popular with bikers, excellent road surfaces
Central Spain
Trans-Extremadura Trail
280 miles3-4 days
Off-road adventure through one of Spain's least-visited regions. Dirt tracks, farm roads, and ancient drovers' routes. Hot, remote, and challenging—not for beginners.