5 Best UK Motorbike Routes for the Summer

The UK has some of the best motorcycle routes in the world – if you know where to find them. Below are the fives best routes in the UK for motorcycling, offering stunning scenery, sweeping vistas and, importantly, fun twisting roads.

The North Coast 500, Inverness

The North Coast 500 is a 516-mile loop of the most northern tip of the Scottish mainland, starting and finishing at Inverness Castle. Along the sweeping roads you’ll have plenty of time to take in the rugged edges of the North Highlands, with mountains, moorlands, and lochs. There’s plenty of opportunity to explore side routes so you can find the beautiful sandy beaches on Scotland’s north coast. There are ample facilities along the way, with petrol stations and plenty of places to taste some peak Scottish culinary delights.

Whilst you can complete the North Coast 500 in three days, allowing five days means you can enjoy it at your leisure and really take time to explore the area. The road can get busy in the peak of summer, so avoid the school holidays if you prefer quieter roads.

The Welsh Valley Retreat, Chepstow to Aberystwyth

The Welsh Valley Retreat is 100 miles long and takes you from Chepstow in the south west of Wales, along the spectacular Brecon Beacons, to Rhayader and through the Elan Valley, finishing on the tranquil west coast. Of course, you’ll be able to enjoy the lush green valleys of Wales, with the road passing right through them or sometimes from an elevated viewpoint. There’s lots of cafes and pubs to make a pit stop in, as well as accommodation if you’re extending your trip.

This route will take most people about a day to complete. If you have more time, you could explore the Black Mountain Pass which twists through the Brecon Beacons National Park in a series of tight bends and fast straights.

Antrim Coast Road, Larne to Portstewart

The Antrim Coast Road winds around the northern coast of Northern Ireland. You can pick your starting and end point anywhere along the road, but the popular route starts at Larne, taking riders to the Giant’s Causeway and then finishing at Portstewart. There’s lots of picturesque seaside villages to visit, as well as opportunities to enjoy the rolling green hills and craggy rockfaces of Northern Ireland. The road is full of twists and turns and the road surface is excellent quality.

Rain is common in Northern Ireland, even in the summer, but it usually isn’t so severe to affect riding. Fans of Game of Thrones can visit the caves and landscapes that inspired and even featured in the TV series along the route.

The Cat and Fiddle Road, between Buxton and Macclesfield

The Cat and Fiddle Road is the common name for the A537 between Buxton and Macclesfield in the Peak District in England. The Cat and Fiddle is the name of the pub that stands at the summit and is the second highest pub in England. The road has been very popular with motorcyclists thanks to its numerous challenging bends. As a result of its popularity, there’s plenty of biker-friendly accommodation in the various towns along the route.

The route is about 7.5 miles long and will take less than an hour to ride it. There are a series of average speed cameras along the route, installed in response to the high motorbike accident rate. Riding at the 50mph speed limit means you’ll have ample opportunity to really take in the incredible landscape.

North Devon Coast Road, Woolacombe to Bridgwater

The 63-mile route along the North Devon coast in south-west England is one of the most uninterrupted stretches of coastal road in the country. Starting by the expansive sandy beaches of Woolacombe, you’ll be able to enjoy views from the cliff-top moorland at the top of Exmoor National Park and also visit some charming Devon villages. The road has lots of hills to keep you engaged on your ride, if the gorgeous landscape isn’t quite enough for you.

This route is likely to be extremely busy with holidaymakers during the summer, so avoid the peak months if you can. You can extend your trip by continuing from Bridgewater along the coast and to Land’s End in Cornwall for a longer coastal adventure.

If these motorcycle routes have inspired you to go on a riding trip, you’ll need the best motorbike to do so. Euphoria Finance offers simple motorbike finance deals so you can start your adventures as soon as possible.