A breathtaking guide to the world’s best rides

Published: 15 April 2017 Updated: 15 April 2017

These life-changing routes have been suggested by an incredible group of experts – YOU!

Which would you ride? Or even better, have you ridden any of these already? What’s next, eh?

‘The Stelvio Pass is a right of passage’

Nominated by: MCN reader Gareth Harford, KTM 1190 Adventure

Route: Dash to Interlaken in Switzerland and then ride the Stelvio and Pinzolo pass in Italy before heading to the MotoGP in Misano.

Length: 600 miles

What makes it special? Watching the GP on the TV is one thing, but if you ride to Misano for the round in September you’ll get more action than the racers. The route to Misano will take you through Interlaken before heading to the Alps and the dramatic Stelvio pass. The Pinzolo isn’t as well known, but just as good so don’t miss it. The beautifully smooth tarmac and thousands of hairpins are incredibly addictive. We’d leave now to make it for the next round in September – you won’t want to leave those mountains!

Ride this road: Stelvio and Pinzolo Pass. You’re going to love both of these incredible routes through the Alps.

Take a picture at: Anywhere on either of the passes.

Stay at: There’s plenty of cheap options as it’s the ski off-season.

‘A mad ride to one of Europe’s best roads. And all in a weekend’

Nominated by: Jason Cannadine, Yamaha XSR700

Route: A quick 400- mile dash to Baden-Baden in Germany

Length: 880 miles

What makes it special? The Black Forest is home to one of the best riding roads in Europe – the B500- and it’s only 400 miles away. Get there in a day, ride the 40-mile ‘track’ as many times as you can over the weekend and head back for Sunday night. The B500 carves its way down the middle of the Black Forest and wriggles up and over mountain passes with gorgeous scenery and roller- coaster turns. It’s a biker’s dream. The northern section is the most exhilarating; a two-year-old with a crayon couldn’t have drawn more twists, curls and whirls.

Ride this road: Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt. The whole ribbon is just unnaturally flawless, thanks to a finely balanced blend of hairpins, lefts, rights and long, fast sweepers.

Take a picture at: There are loads of top look-out points on the B500.

Stay at: Pension-Williams is an excellent biker friendly hotel. Visit pension-williams.com for more info.

‘Every mile oozes cowboy-cool’

Nominated by: Nathan Millward, BMW R1200GS Adventure

Route: State Route 12 in Utah is a single road crossing a National Forest and Park.

Length: 122 miles

What makes it special? It’s only 122 miles, but every inch is dripping with cowboy-cool backdrops. The speed limit is slow but the scenery is out of this world. The road cuts through red sandstone and runs along the top of a ridge with steep drops and dramatic views of mountains, valleys and rocky cliffs.

Ride this road: Just north of Bryce Canyon National Park, off Highway 89, four hours north-east of Las Vegas.

Take a picture at: A layby halfway along the route has amazing views.

Stay at: The town of Torrey has everything you need.

‘You’re riding way above the clouds’

Nominated by: Gareth Brown, Honda MSX125

Route: A stunning ride over Scottish mountains – Inverness to Perth

Length: 150 miles

What makes it special? Scotland is our answer to the Alps. You can have an Alpine adventure with breathtaking views, hundreds of hairpins, smooth tarmac and rocky mountains… and it’s all in the UK. Start in Perth, head north to Braemer then hang a right to the Bridge of Gairn. Make your way up to the brilliantly named Cock Bridge before heading for the Bridge of Brown… yes really! You’re riding above the clouds the whole time. You’ll pass through ski resorts, so it’s best to go in summer. Expect wide open roads, tight little switchbacks and spectacular views.

Ride this road: A939 from Bridge of Gairn until it turns into the A95. It’s a brilliant road to tackle with your mates.

Take a picture at: There are plenty of ski resorts, take your pick and then your picture!

Stay at: Isle Bar & Rooms is a fantastic hostel with craft beers, ales and wine as well as home- cooked venison pizza.

‘Home to some of the world’s squiggliest mountain roads’

Nominated by: Kathryn Perkins, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R

Route: Mount Olympos to Pyrgos. It’s everything you want, from mountains to a golden coast.

Length: 200 miles

What makes it special? Around a million Brits visit Cyprus every year to party in Ayia Napa. Riding doesn’t usually come to mind, which is a shame as it has some of the squiggliest mountain roads in the world. Cyprus’ interior is a plethora of sweet black ribbons of tarmac, dusty gravel tracks and mouth- watering views of crystal blue waters and golden beaches. Head north from Pathos to the Baths of Aphrodite, then follow the coastal road to Pyrgos and back down to the labyrinth of twists and curls in the Troodos Mountain range.

Ride this road: From Mount Olympos, take the E911 northbound.

Take a picture at: Any of the many look-out points in the mountains.

Stay at: There’s plenty of cheap accommodation along the beaches.

‘One of the most stunning deserts in the world’

Nominated by: Sam Manicom, 1992 BMW R80GS

Route: Head into Africa’s deserts and ride in Namibia – from Swakopmund to Sossusvlei.

Length: 295 miles

What makes it special? Ride with the 2000m high Nakluft mountains in sight. About 35 miles out you’ll find the Vogelfederberg outcrop which offers a panoramic view over the desert. The track is covered in canyons and twisties. Your target is the iconic landscape at Sossusvlei – rust-red dunes and bleached white pans.

Ride this road: B2 along the coast and then the C14 through the Namib Nakluft National Park.

Take a picture at: Dune 7 – it’s the highest sand dune in Africa.

Stay at: The lodge in Soltaire; visit the bakery – their apple cake is regarded as the best in Namibia.

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By MCN News