New Zealand
6 scored roads in New Zealand, reranked for motorbikes rather than for cars, with the fit score shown next to each one.
Riders and drivers want different things from the same map. A single track lane that ruins a weekend in a wide car is often the best thing you will ride all year, and a fast open A road that flatters a grand tourer can be a dull hour on a bike.
Every country page below reranks the scored library for corner quality and scenery, drops the width penalty that applies to cars, and flags the seasonal gravel and noise restrictions that increasingly decide where bikes are welcome.
Checked by the Drivers Atlas desk
Scored and written by the Drivers Atlas editorial desk, drawing on driven routes across the UK and Europe, mapping data and member road reports. Checked against current closure and restriction notices for New Zealand. How we score roads.
Last reviewed 27 May 2026
Ranked
01 · Otago
New Zealand's highest sealed road with a hairpin stack above the Cardrona valley.
43.5 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · Fit 10.0 / 10
Snow and ice, chains may be required in winter
02 · Nelson
Marble mountain switchbacks between Tasman Bay and Golden Bay.
21.1 mi · Rating 9 / 10 · Fit 9.5 / 10
Fog common at the summit
03 · Fiordland
A glacial valley run to the Homer Tunnel and a fiord surrounded by vertical rock.
73.9 mi · Rating 9.6 / 10 · Fit 9.5 / 10
Avalanche closures in winter, carry chains
04 · Canterbury
Braided rivers, beech forest and the dramatic Otira viaduct across an alpine fault.
55.9 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10
Snow and ice in winter
05 · West Coast
Rainforest and waterfall canyon roads link the lakes to the wild West Coast.
90.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10
Slips and flooding after heavy rain
06 · Coromandel
A narrow shoreline road under pohutukawa trees with the Firth of Thames alongside.
34.2 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 8.8 / 10
Slip prone after storms
Before you go
Parts of Tyrol and several Swiss and Italian valleys restrict loud motorcycles or ban them on specific days. Fines are high and bikes are impounded.
A two thousand metre pass can be fifteen degrees colder than the valley you left forty minutes ago. Pack for the summit, not the start.
Filling stations are rare above the tree line. Fill in the valley before every pass rather than assuming there is something at the top.
Common questions
The Dolomite pass loop, the Col de Turini, the Furka Susten Grimsel triangle and the Transfagarasan all rank at the top for corner quality on two wheels.
Yes. Several Tyrolean valleys and some Swiss roads restrict motorcycles above set noise limits, and a few close to bikes on specific days. Check locally before you ride.