Best Motorcycle Roads in the Alps: Stelvio, Grossglockner, Furka & More (GPX Tracks)
The Alps are every rider’s dream – a playground of endless switchbacks, breathtaking panoramas, and perfectly engineered roads carved through the mountains. From Italy and Austria to Germany, Switzerland, and France, this is Europe’s ultimate motorcycle destination.
Whether you’re chasing adrenaline on the Stelvio Pass, soaking in the scenery on Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße, or gliding through Furka Pass, each road tells a story and delivers pure riding pleasure.
Why the Alps Are the Ultimate Motorcycle Playground
The Alpine region offers a rare mix of smooth tarmac, technical corners, and cinematic landscapes. Within just a few hours of riding, you can pass through five countries and experience everything from glaciers to vineyards.
What makes the Alps special for motorcyclists is not just the views, but the quality of roads and variety of riding styles — from fast sweepers to tight mountain hairpins.
If you’re planning your next big adventure, the Alps should be on top of your bucket list.
Top Alpine Motorcycle Routes You Must Ride
1. Stelvio Pass (Italy)
Arguably the most famous motorcycle road in the world, the Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) climbs to 2,757 m and features 48 legendary hairpins on the northern slope alone. Best ridden early in the morning to avoid traffic, this route combines technical challenge with jaw-dropping beauty.
Best time to ride: June–September
Highlights: Ortler Alps, Prato allo Stelvio, Bormio, classic biker cafés.
2. Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria)
Austria’s crown jewel — the Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße — takes you through 48 km of perfectly maintained tarmac, climbing to 2,504 m at the Edelweiss Spitze viewpoint.
Tip: Bring cash for the toll (about €28 per bike), and don’t skip the museum at Franz-Josefs-Höhe for the best glacier views.
Best time to ride: May–October
Highlights: Edelweiss Spitze, Franz-Josefs-Höhe, Pasterze Glacier.
3. Furka Pass (Switzerland)
One of Switzerland’s most scenic routes, the Furka Pass offers 2,429 m of pure magic. You’ll recognize the famous curve from the James Bond film Goldfinger. Combine it with Grimsel and Susten Passes for an unforgettable Alpine loop.
Best time to ride: June–September
Highlights: Rhone Glacier, Andermatt, Grimselpass lookout.
4. Route des Grandes Alpes (France)
Running from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, this 700 km journey takes you through France’s highest passes, including Col du Galibier, Col d’Izoard, and Col de l’Iseran.
Best time to ride: July–September
Highlights: Galibier, Iseran, French alpine villages, panoramic vistas.
5. Timmelsjoch & Reschen Pass (Austria–Italy)
These two neighboring passes offer incredible views and smooth flow, connecting Tyrol with South Tyrol. Stop at the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum at the summit — a must for every biker.
Best time to ride: June–September
Highlights: Ötztal Alps, museum, Italian espresso at the border.
Planning Your Ride – Tips from me
Best season: Late May to early October. Early rides can mean snow walls; late autumn brings rain and fog.
Navigation: Use a GPX route set ready for navigation app like OsmAnd, Maps.me, Locus Map or nav devices such as Garmin, or TomTom. Avoid relying on a smartphone and Google Maps alone — it’s not made for mountain riding (heat, cold, and rain).
Fuel up often: Gas stations become rare above 1,500 m.
Weather: Expect rapid changes — pack for heat, cold, and rain.
Stay overnight: Don’t rush. Choose biker-friendly campgrounds or mountain guesthouses.
Ride Smarter with Ready-to-Ride GPX Routes
Planning an Alpine motorcycle adventure can take weeks — figuring out where to go, which passes are open, and how long each ride takes. That’s why we created the Alps (Italy, Austria & Germany) Motorcycle Tour Book & GPX Routes, a complete travel pack with:
✅ 7 tested day routes (GPX Routes & Tracks) covering 1,743 km
✅ 53 must-see points of interest
✅ Daily itineraries with times, distances, and road types
✅ Bonus travel guides, phrasebook & packing list
Each route is pre-tested and downloadable in GPX and KML formats, so you can upload it to your GPS and start riding instantly.
👉 Explore the Alps with our Motorcycle Tour Book & GPX Routes – your ready-to-ride adventure awaits.
Key Alpine Passes to Add to Your Bucket List
- Stelvio Pass (Italy)
- Gavia Pass (Italy)
- Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Austria)
- Furka Pass (Switzerland)
- Col du Galibier (France)
- Timmelsjoch Pass (Austria–Italy)
- Susten & Grimsel Pass (Switzerland)
- Col de l’Iseran (France)
- Passo Gardena (Italy)
Final Thoughts
The Alps are not just a destination — they’re a motorcycle rite of passage.
Every curve tells a story, every pass brings new views, and every stop offers a chance to meet fellow riders from all over the world.
Don’t just dream about it.
👉 Explore the Swiss & French Alps with our Motorcycle Tour Book & GPX Routes
