5 amazing places in Europe for off-road riding

Mid Wales

The magnificent scenery surrounding the small town of Rhayader and the Elan Valley features a myriad of green lanes, many of which are big-bike friendly.

Our pick of the bunch is the stunning trail which runs for 10 miles around the edge of the Claerwen Reservoir. It’s a pleasant gravel track with little to intimidate even the most inexperienced riders, except for some steep drop-offs into the reservoir below and a couple of rocky water crossings that are more fun than difficult. The highlight of the track is its location, and during the ride you’ll briefly feel as if you have the entirety of the Welsh countryside to yourself.

The Alps

The continent’s tallest and most extensive mountain range, the Alps is a mecca for motorcyclists looking to ride off-road in Europe. Amid the towering peaks lie some of the most well-known mountain passes in the world, but there’s a whole other world waiting to be explored by those who are willing to turn off the tarmac.

The old military roads found in the Alps historically supplied a series of forts positioned along national borders, but now they act as an adventure bike riding paradise. One of our favourites is the Col de Tende, which tops out at 1,870m. It’s a stunning ride that connects the French city of Nice with the town of Cuneo over the border in Italy.

The Col del Sommeiller is also a classic. Topping out at 2,993m, the stunning views aren’t the only reason you’ll be breathless while riding it. And, due to the high altitude of these unpaved passes, it’s worth planning ahead to ensure you tackle the routes when they’re free of snow which can render them impassable.

Portugal

Portugal benefits from some of the most relaxed laws when it comes to riding off-road in Europe, which explains why it’s a haven for riders looking to explore off the beaten track. Aside from sand dunes and beaches, or where signs specifically forbid it, all trails are legal to ride.

It’s a relatively small country which can be ridden from top to bottom in just a handful of days with only the odd rare excursion onto tarmac needed. This makes it perfect for an adventurous week away. It’s also worth noting when planning your trip that the best time to visit Portugal is outside the UK’s peak holiday season (June to September), as some trails can be closed (particularly in the south) due to a heightened fire risk during the summer months.

Northern Spain

Another destination that proves popular with road riders, Northern Spain also offers some cracking off-road and trail riding for adventure bikers. A particular highlight is the sheer variety on offer, from riding through the Bardenas Reales desert to ascending narrow smugglers trails which zig-zag through the Pyrenees mountain range.

For riders looking to tick off one of the Pyrenees’s highest mountain roads, the road to the summit of the Pic Negre (technically located over the border in Andorra) offers an incredible ride and a lofty altitude of 2,643m to enjoy the view from at the top.

Spanish laws governing trail riding are a little more complicated than their relaxed neighbours in Portugal, which is why Your Adventure Life have done all the legwork with this fantastic tour that starts in Bilbao, crosses the Pyrenees, and finishes in Barcelona, taking in the best off-roading riding along the way.

Southern Norway

While hikers and wild campers can make full use of Scandinavia’s right to roam, motor vehicles are forbidden from simply travelling where they please, as off-roading is illegal.

However, as Norway is such a vast and sparsely inhabited country, there are plenty of legal gravel backroads to explore, and as a rule of thumb, if a trail looks suitable for a car or 4×4 then it’s probably OK to ride.

The Trans Euro Trail (TET) is a particular highlight of southern Norway’s trail and much of it can be tackled on larger adventure bikes. However, given Norway’s reputation for inclement weather, you may want to ensure you have a good set of adventure tyres fitted to provide grip in wet or muddy conditions.