The best motorcycle roads in the UK
Britain packs a remarkable amount of riding into a small island. The Scottish Highlands have long, empty roads through glens and over passes, with single-track coast roads in the far north-west. Wales has the fast, flowing A-roads that bikers drive across the country for. The Lake District and the Pennines have short, steep passes that feel like a miniature Alps, and the Peak District sits within an hour of millions of riders.
This list ranks the roads we would plan a trip around, from one-hour blasts to multi-day tours. Every entry gives the road number, a rough length in miles and kilometres, the months it is at its best and where to stay nearby. Most sit in regions where you can base yourself for a few nights and ride a different road each day.
British roads change character quickly. A fast moorland A-road can drop into a single-track lane with passing places, sheep on the tarmac and a 1-in-3 gradient. Read the road, keep something in reserve, and ride the famous stretches early in the day before the traffic builds.
1. Bealach na Bà (Applecross pass)
- Road
- Unclassified
- Length
- About 11 miles (18 km)
- Best season
- May to September
The road from Tornapress to Applecross climbs to 626 metres (2,054 feet) in about 6 miles (10 km), with gradients of up to 20 per cent and a set of tight hairpins near the top. It is single-track throughout, with passing places, and the view from the summit across to Skye and Raasay is one of the best in Britain. Ride it in the morning, take the coast road north from Applecross back toward Shieldaig, and do not attempt it in snow or ice.
2. North Coast 500
- Road
- A9, A99, A836, A838, A894 and others
- Length
- About 516 miles (830 km)
- Best season
- May to September
A loop of about 516 miles (830 km) from Inverness around the far north of Scotland: the east coast up to John o' Groats, the wild north coast to Durness, then down the west through Assynt, Ullapool and Torridon. The west side is the prize, with single-track roads winding between lochs, mountains and white beaches. Allow at least five days, more if the weather turns. It is busy with campervans in July and August, so May, June and September are the best months to ride it.
3. Rannoch Moor and Glen Coe
- Road
- A82
- Length
- About 45 miles (72 km)
- Best season
- April to October
From Tyndrum the A82 runs north across Rannoch Moor, a huge open bog of lochans and heather, then drops past Buachaille Etive Mòr into Glen Coe, the most dramatic valley in Scotland. The road is wide, fast and well surfaced, with long sweeping bends; the view is the attraction. It is also a main tourist and trade route, so it is busy in summer and the police watch it closely. Carry on to Fort William, about 45 miles (72 km) from Tyndrum, and the road to the Isles.
4. Snow Roads: the Cairnwell and the Lecht
- Road
- A93 and A939
- Length
- About 90 miles (145 km)
- Best season
- May to September
The Snow Roads Scenic Route runs about 90 miles (145 km) from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey across the eastern Cairngorms. The A93 climbs through Glenshee to the Cairnwell Pass at 670 metres, the highest main road in Britain, before dropping to Braemar. The A939 from Cockbridge over the Lecht to Tomintoul is steeper and wilder, with snow gates at either end that close in winter. Both are open moorland roads with long views and fast, sweeping bends; watch for deer on the road at dawn and dusk.
5. A470 and the Evo Triangle
- Road
- A470, A5, A543 and B4501
- Length
- About 20 miles (32 km)
- Best season
- April to October
The A470 runs the length of Wales and some of its best stretches, through the Brecon Beacons and the hills north of Rhayader, are fast and flowing. The Evo Triangle near Cerrigydrudion is the short, famous part: a loop of about 20 miles (32 km) on the A5, the A543 and the B4501 across open moorland above the Alwen and Brenig reservoirs. It is quick, open and well sighted, and it is heavily policed. Ride it once to enjoy it, not to race it.
6. Hardknott and Wrynose passes
- Road
- Unclassified
- Length
- About 10 miles (16 km)
- Best season
- May to September
Two of the steepest road passes in England run back to back from Little Langdale to Eskdale, about 10 miles (16 km) of single-track road with gradients of up to 1 in 3 (33 per cent) and hairpins on Hardknott that are tight even on a light bike. The views over the fells and the Roman fort below Hardknott summit are worth it, but this is slow, technical riding. Go early, give way to oncoming cars on the steep ramps, and avoid it in wet or icy weather on a heavy tourer.
7. Llanberis Pass and Snowdonia
- Road
- A4086 and A498
- Length
- About 25 miles (40 km)
- Best season
- April to October
The A4086 climbs from Llanberis between rock walls and boulder fields to Pen-y-Pass under Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), then the A498 drops past the lakes of Nant Gwynant to Beddgelert. Together they give about 25 miles (40 km) of the finest mountain scenery in Wales. The road is narrow at the top of the pass and busy with walkers' cars, so the riding is about scenery more than speed. Loop back via the A4085 or carry on to Porthmadog and the coast.
8. Black Mountain Pass
- Road
- A4069
- Length
- About 12 miles (19 km)
- Best season
- April to October
The A4069 over the western end of the Brecon Beacons is around 12 miles (19 km) of open mountain road from Upper Brynamman to Llangadog, topping out near 493 metres (1,617 feet). The climb from the south is a series of sweeping bends and one famous tight hairpin with a view down the whole valley. Sheep wander on the road and there is no shelter on top. The limit is lower than it used to be, so enjoy the shape of the road rather than the speed.
9. Kirkstone Pass
- Road
- A592
- Length
- About 12 miles (19 km)
- Best season
- April to October
The highest Lake District pass open to traffic tops out at 454 metres (1,489 feet) between Windermere and Ullswater. From Troutbeck it is a steady climb with open views; the north side drops steeply past Brothers Water to Patterdale, about 12 miles (19 km) in all. The Kirkstone Pass Inn at the top is the classic stop. It is the gentle way to see the high fells on a bike, and it links neatly with Honister, Newlands and the Hardknott and Wrynose passes for a full day.
10. Buttertubs Pass
- Road
- Unclassified
- Length
- About 6 miles (10 km)
- Best season
- April to October
A short moorland pass of about 6 miles (10 km) between Hawes in Wensleydale and Thwaite in Swaledale, named after the deep limestone potholes beside the road near the top at around 526 metres (1,726 feet). The descent into Swaledale runs along the edge of a steep drop with a low wall and some tight, cambered bends. It is narrow and unfenced in places, with sheep on the road. Put it in a loop with the Tan Hill road, Fleet Moss and the Coal Road for a full Dales day.
11. Cat and Fiddle
- Road
- A537
- Length
- About 12 miles (19 km)
- Best season
- March to November
The A537 from Macclesfield to Buxton crosses the moors of the western Peak District in about 12 miles (19 km) of sweeping bends, climbing past the old Cat and Fiddle inn near the top. It was once known as one of the most dangerous roads in the country, and it now has a lower limit and average-speed cameras along its length. Ride it at the limit and it is still a lovely road, with long views west over Cheshire.
12. Snake Pass
- Road
- A57
- Length
- About 13 miles (21 km)
- Best season
- March to November
The A57 between Glossop and the Ladybower reservoir climbs over the moors of the Dark Peak in about 13 miles (21 km) of linked bends. The western side is open and exposed; the eastern side drops through forest along the Woodlands valley to the reservoir. The road sits on peat and is prone to landslips, so it has had long closures for repairs in the past. Check it is open before you go, and combine it with the Cat and Fiddle and the roads around Buxton for a Peak District loop.
How to plan a trip around these roads
Pick a region and ride loops from one base. North Wales, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales each give three or four days of riding without repeating a road, and they are a long day apart on the motorway. Scotland needs more time: allow a week for the far north-west, and book ahead on the NC500 in summer, where rooms in small villages go early.
Weather is the deciding factor. Pack for rain whatever the forecast, and keep a flexible day in the plan so you can ride the high passes on the clearest one.
- Single-track roads have passing places: pull in on your left, or wait opposite one on your right, and let faster traffic by.
- Many popular biker roads now have average-speed cameras and lower limits. Watch the signs.
- Midges in the Highlands are at their worst in still, damp weather from June to August. Bring repellent.
- High passes such as the Cairnwell and Bealach na Bà can close in snow outside summer. Check Traffic Scotland before you set off.
More of the best motorcycle roads
Questions riders ask
What is the best biking road in the UK?
Bealach na Bà, the Applecross pass in the Scottish Highlands, is the most spectacular single road. For a full tour, the North Coast 500 is the most famous. In Wales, the A470 and the Evo Triangle are the classics, and in England the Lake District passes and Buttertubs are the highlights.
When is the best time to ride in the UK?
May to September for Scotland and the high passes, when days are long and the roads are free of snow. Wales, the Lake District and the Peak District are good from April to October. May, June and September are quieter than the school holidays.
Which is the highest road in Britain?
The A93 at the Cairnwell Pass in the Cairngorms reaches 670 metres (2,199 feet), the highest main road in Britain. The Bealach na Bà reaches 626 metres (2,054 feet) on a single-track road.
How long does the NC500 take on a motorcycle?
Allow at least five days for the full loop of about 516 miles (830 km), and a week if you want to stop, walk and allow for weather. Book accommodation ahead in summer, as rooms in small villages fill early.
How do I ride single-track roads?
Use the passing places: pull into one on your left, or wait opposite one on your right, to let oncoming or faster traffic pass. Never park in them. Keep your speed down on blind crests, where there may be a car or sheep just over the top.