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United Kingdom

The best motorcycle roads in United Kingdom

37 scored roads in United Kingdom, 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 United Kingdom. How we score roads.

Last reviewed 22 April 2026

Ranked

Top roads for motorbikes in United Kingdom

01 · Applecross, Scottish Highlands

Bealach na Ba

Britain's highest road climbs via hairpins to a wild moonscape pass above Applecross.

11.5 mi · Rating 9.9 / 10 · Fit 10.4 / 10

Frequently closed by snow and ice from November to March

02 · Brecon Beacons, Wales

Black Mountain Pass

A ribbon of hairpins climbing a bare Welsh moorland made famous by Top Gear.

11.8 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10 · Fit 10.0 / 10

Frequently closed by snow, one of Wales's first roads to shut

03 · Sutherland, Scotland

Kylesku to Durness

A remote NC500 highlight of sea lochs, switchbacks and empty moorland roads.

28 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.8 / 10

Exposed to high winds and occasional snow

04 · Lake District, England

Hardknott Pass

England's steepest road gradient, a brutal one in three climb over Roman ruins.

3.1 mi · Rating 9.5 / 10 · Fit 9.5 / 10

Ice and snow regularly close the summit in winter

05 · Denbighshire, Wales

Horseshoe Pass

A famous horseshoe bend switchback climbing out of the Vale of Llangollen.

11.2 mi · Rating 8.8 / 10 · Fit 9.4 / 10

Snow gates close the summit in severe winter weather

06 · Wester Ross, Scotland

Applecross Coast Road

A lochside single track with views straight across to Skye and the Cuillins.

15.5 mi · Rating 9.4 / 10 · Fit 9.3 / 10

Occasional storm closures but lower and gentler than Bealach na Ba

07 · Snowdonia, Wales

Llanberis Pass

A dramatic pass beneath Snowdon's crags linking two of Wales's most storied villages.

9.9 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10

Can ice near the summit in cold snaps

08 · Lake District, England

Honister Pass

A steep slate quarry pass squeezed between towering fells above Buttermere.

4 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10

Ice and snow can close the summit in winter

09 · Lake District, England

Wrynose Pass

Narrow single track linking Langdale to Duddon Valley over the ancient Three Shire Stone.

4 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10

Prone to ice and occasional winter closure

10 · Isle of Skye, Scotland

Quiraing Road

A high single track skirting the surreal landslipped pinnacles of the Trotternish ridge.

8.1 mi · Rating 9.3 / 10 · Fit 9.2 / 10

High winds and fog frequently affect the summit

11 · Kintail, Scottish Highlands

Glen Shiel Road

A fast sweeping glen road beneath the jagged Five Sisters of Kintail ridge.

23.6 mi · Rating 9.2 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10

Snow and wind common in the glen during winter

12 · Yorkshire Dales, England

Buttertubs Pass

Tour de France famous climb past limestone potholes between two classic dale villages.

6.8 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.1 / 10

Snow can close the pass for short periods in winter

13 · North Pennines, England

Hartside Pass

A biker's classic with wide open views across the Eden Valley to the Lakeland fells.

8.1 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10

One of England's first roads to close in snow

14 · Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland

Torr Head Coast Road

A hair raising cliff edge single track with views across to the Mull of Kintyre.

8.1 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10

Very narrow, can be treacherous in wind and rain

15 · Peak District, England

Cat and Fiddle Road

A biker and driver favourite of fast open curves past England's second highest pub.

7.1 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10

Ice and fog common on the exposed summit in winter

16 · Caithness, Scotland

Berriedale Braes

Two tight hairpin descents drop the A9 into a dramatic cliffside river gorge.

3.7 mi · Rating 8.5 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10

Steep hairpins can ice in winter

17 · Denbigh Moors, Wales

Evo Triangle, A543

One leg of the legendary Evo Triangle, a flowing high speed moorland test road.

14.9 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10

Exposed moorland stretch can ice in winter

18 · Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland

Causeway Coastal Route

One of the world's great coast roads, hugging cliffs beneath nine dramatic glens.

29.8 mi · Rating 9.1 / 10 · Fit 9.0 / 10

19 · Snowdonia, Wales

Evo Triangle, A5

The connecting stretch of the Evo Triangle beloved for its rhythmic fast corners.

6.2 mi · Rating 8.8 / 10 · Fit 8.9 / 10

20 · Peak District, England

Snake Pass

Sweeping moorland A road that rolls and dips across the wild Pennine spine.

9.9 mi · Rating 8.9 / 10 · Fit 8.9 / 10

Regularly closed by snow drifts in winter

Before you go

The checklist

Check for motorcycle bans

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.

Layer for altitude

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.

Fuel range on the passes

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

Asked and answered

What are the best motorcycle roads in Europe?

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.

Are motorcycles banned on any alpine roads?

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.