Top 10 Best Motorcycle Roads in Eastern Europe – high mountain roads and coastal rides have one thing in common – fabulous views. Well, two if you add in the motorcycle factor.
Eastern European countries are rich in tradition, diverse culture and friendly people. If you haven’t tried Romanian hospitality first hand, you should definitely add this to your bucket list. If you add in the views that take your breath away and the winding mountain roads that take you above the clouds, you’re in for a treat. In easy reach by motorcycle from Germany or Austria and on fly & ride basis from other countries, Eastern Europe will fascinate and amaze you all the way.
Make the most of your motorcycle adventure in the Balkans! Here’s our take on Top 10 Best Motorcycle Roads to ride in Eastern Europe.
Top 10 Best Motorcycle Roads in Eastern Europe
10. Trojan Road (road 35)
Waterfalls, monuments and incredible views stretching over 30 hairpin curves while riding Beklemeto Pass in Bulgaria. A.k.a. Trojan Pass, Road 35 follows the ancient Via Trajana (Trajan’s road), connecting north region of Bulgaria to the south. The road is completely paved. Should you like to venture to Arch of Freedom, a monument dedicated to liberation of the Bulgarians, a narrow off-road track will take you to it.
Route: from Trojan to Karnare
Type: paved
Distance: 48 km
Duration: 1h30min
Altitude: 1520m
Maximum gradient: 11,2%
9. Ride along Ohrid Lake in Macedonia
Start riding along Ohrid Lake from Albania, cross the border with North Macedonia and take on the twists and turns offering an amazing view of the Lake with every corner. The region is famous for the Ohrid pearls. The city of Ohrid has jewelry shops open late at night offering of unique pieces made using Ohrid pearls. The cobbled narrow streets, and the lively terraces with amazing views over the lake give the city its unique atmosphere. You can’t leave the city without walking the wooden passageway over the lake to Church of St. John at Kaneo. The landscape here is breathtaking.
Route: from Lin (Albania) to Ohrid (Macedonia)
Type: paved
Distance: 60 km
Duration: 1h30min
8. Tzoumerka National Park in Greece
Traditional Greek villages, narrow, sinuous roads, fabulous landscape and sheep, goats, pigs, you name it, it’s here, in the middle of the road or on the side of the road, depending on your luck. Riding up Tsimovo Pass feels like a racetrack. 27 sharp turns make your heart pump faster. Just remember to pay attention to falling rocks, especially after rainy days. Should you like to visit Holy Kipinas Monastery, please remember that no monks leave here. You can collect the key from the bar in the village of Kipina, enjoy the visit and remember to return it, so that other travelers can enjoy the visit as well. Week-days are preferred to week-ends.
Route: Ioannina – Tsimovou Pass – Gefiri Gogkou (Iron Bridge) – Anemotrypa Stalactite Cave – Holy Kipinas Monastery – Ioannina
Type: paved
Distance: 117
Duration: 3h30min
Recommended tour: Greece Motorcycle Tour includes a rest day in Ioannina. During this day, riders can venture to Tzoumerka National Park.
7. SH 20 Road in Albania
Ride along Cemi river on one of the most scenic motorcycle roads in Albania. Although not very high in altitude (684m) Leqet e Hotit is one of the most beautiful mountain passes in North Albania, along the border with Montenegro. The road is steep and full of hairpin curves. Old bunkers and military houses can be found along the way.
Route: Hani I Hotit to Tamarë
Distance: 30 km
Duration: about 1hr ride
Type: paved
Average gradient: 7%
6. Danube Gorge – Serbian Side
Danube forms a natural border between Romania and Serbia, with Danube Gorge, Serbian side being its most picturesque part. Why the Serbian side? Easy, because Danube’s banks are higher here, offering vantage points over the cauldrons and over Romanian Side. To put it simpler, the views are best from this side. Visit Golubac Citadel and take a boat trip. The views from the water beat the ones from dryland.
Route: from Veliko Gradiste to Cladova
Distance: 140 km
Duration: 2h30min
Type: paved
Once you’re here, dare to cross to the Romanian side. The Gateway to the Carpathian Mountains and its high alpine roads is right here, at the Iron Gates.
Recommended tour: Best of Eastern Europe Motorcycle Tour includes a fantastic day’s ride on Danube Gorge, Serbian side.
5. Transalpina Road in Romania
If you took our advice and crossed to Romania, a world of motorcycle roads is open for you to explore. But only some of them are considered the Best in the World. Transalpina Road is the highest motorcycle road in Romania. With its highest point at Urdele Pass (2,145m above sea level), crossing Paring Mountains, the road is one of the most spectacular roads of the Carpathian Mountain Chain and the highest mountain road in Romania.
Making the connection between Transylvania and Oltenia, the road, also called The King’s Road by the locals, was built in 1938 under the rule of King Carol II of Romania with an economic, strategic and military purpose and later rebuilt during World War II by German troops.
Route: from Novaci to Sugag
Distance: 135 km
Duration: 3hrs ride
Type: paved
Altitude: 2145m
When: open from May to October
Where: you can bring your motorcycle or fly to Cluj-Napoca (Transylvania, Romania), rent a BMW motorcycle in the city of Turda and begin your journey. Turda is the best location to start your motorcycle adventure as it has direct links to the best motorcycle roads in Romania, on or off highways. If you get your motorcycle in the city of Turda, you can be at the base of the mountain in about 1hr to start your adventure.
Several motorcycle tours include the Romanian scenic roads. Best of Eastern Europe (18-day tour, 9 countries or shorter experiences with motorbike included).
4. P14 in Durmitor Natural Park
Connecting Pošćenski Kraj to Plužine, P14 is a scenic road in Northern Monetnegro offering spectacular views and an incredible motorcycle ride. The beauty of Durmitor Natural Park made UNESCO include the region in its World heritage list.
Continue P14 with E762 and ride along Piva Canion.
Route: from Pošćenski Kraj to Plužine
Distance: 43 km
Duration: 1h30min ride
Type: paved
When: open from May to October
3. Dalmatian Coast
Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro are part of a one-of-a-kind motorcycle adventure on Dalmatian Coast. A narrow, coastal region, one of the four historical areas of Croatia, mostly covered by rugged dinaric mountains – this is what Dalmatian Coast Motorcycle Ride covers. And riding it, gives you great views over the Sea and some of the islands of the Adriatic. A nice walk to Zadar Nova Riva will show you a great old city with friendly people. Stop at the Riva of Zadar to listen to the Adriatic waves pushed by the Wind playing The Sea Organ (Morske Orgulije). Dubrovnik – the Pearl of the Adriatic is our next destination, riding the Dalmatian Coast. Walk the walls of the citadel, try fresh sea food for dinner and have a swim in the Adriatic.
Route: from Rijeka to Kotor
Distance: 628 km
Duration: 9hrs ride
Type: paved
When: from April to October
2. Kotor Serpentine in Montenegro (P1)
25 switchbacks on a single lane, discovering an amazing view over Kotor Bay with every corner. If there is a paradise for motorcycle riders, this is it. An unbelievable ride – The Lovcen Serpentine Boka Kotorska was built between 1879 – 1884 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Principality of Montenegro at a very high cost – one golden ducat/meter. About 45 km of serpentine, hairpin curves cutting through rough terrain making way for incredible motorbike rides and opening a heavenly view of the entire region of Kotor Bay – at your feet.
The city of Kotor at the base of the serpentine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its well preserved medieval old town, beautiful architecture and sea side, the city attracted the attention of Lonely Planet Travel Guide, placing it first among the citied that should be visited in 2016.
Route: from Trojica to Cetinje via P1
Distance: 40 km
Duration: 1hr ride
Type: paved
When: from April to October
1. Transfagarasan Road (7C) – Twists & Turns, Thrill and Excitement
The most sinuous and challenging of Europe’s roads for motorcyclists is called Transfaragasan. The road was built between 1970 and 1974 as a military route, by communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Welcome to Făgăraș County – the land of fortresses and alpine roads.
The road winds up to the highest peaks of the Carpathians and connects Transylvania with Wallachia, crossing the Făgăraș Mountains. Due to the high altitude, the road is open only 3-4 months a year. Snow walls can be found on the side of the road even in June.
90 km of road, riding up to 2042 m in altitude, over 5 km serpentines, over 80 hairpin curves, 5 tunnels and over 500 small bridges. Now that’s a road you need to ride!
Route: from Cartisoara to Curtea de Arges
Distance: 90 km
Duration: 2hrs ride
Type: paved
Altitude: 2042m
When: from mid-June to October.
Where: you can bring your motorcycle or fly to Cluj-Napoca (Transylvania, Romania), rent a BMW motorcycle in the city of Turda and begin your journey. Turda is the best location to start your motorcycle adventure as it has direct links to the best motorcycle roads in Romania, on or off highways. If you get your motorcycle in the city of Turda, you can be at the base of the mountain in about 1hr to start your adventure.
Several motorcycle tours include the Romanian scenic roads. Best of Eastern Europe (18-day tour, 9 countries or shorter experiences with motorbike included).
This is our take on Top 10 best Motorcycle Roads to ride in Eastern Europe. Tell us your favorite in the comments below or add to the list.
Claudia Palfi
world motorcycle traveler
professional tour guide