Let's go touring…

Self Guided Motorcycle Tour to Alpine Circle

Ride from one stunning mountain pass to the next on our self guided motorcycle tour to Alpine Circle.

The self guided motorcycle tour to Alpine Circle is one of our most established motorcycle tours. It will take you to four beautiful mountain regions. These include the Bavarian and Swiss Alps as well as Austrian Tyrol. Furthermore, it goes as far as the Italian Dolomites. In transit, you’ll journey through the Champagne region, Black Forest and Luxembourg as well.

Besides, you will also ride some of the best-known mountain roads and passes. Moreover, you will visit some of the most renowned tourist attractions as well as the famous Alpine destinations.

Often motorcycle holidays in the Alps are more synonymous with the Swiss and Austrian Alps as well as the Dolomites. However, there is a section of the Alps that’s equally pretty. And yet, it offers a different touring experience.

The Alpenstrasse is an iconic biking road. Firstly, it passes through the picturesque scenery of rolling hills as well as flowery meadows and quaint villages. Secondly, you can follow here in the footsteps of the aristocratic Bavaria and experience history first hand.

Visit the magnificent royal castles – Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein. Stop by at Oberammergau as well as Ettal Abbey and brewery. Your hotel is conveniently located near the Füssen town centre. It is close to many traditional Bavarian bars, cafes and restaurants. Although it is a rather small region, there are many typical Bavarian dishes. The Münchner Weißwurst (white sausage) with a pretzel and sweet mustard appears to be the most popular among our clients.

The Austrian Alps are often described as the cradle as well as the birthplace of tourism in Austria. And, nowadays, motorcycle touring plays a big part during the summer holiday season. The region offers everything we need for a perfect biking experience abroad.

The locals are warm and welcoming, and the accommodation is superb. Also, there are not many other countries that can offer better biking roads and passes then Austria. On this tour, you’ll be staying at the Zell am See. It is one of the most beautiful lakeside towns in the Alps. Zell am See may take the cake when it comes to views. You’ll be afforded glimpses of some of the most stunning landscapes on earth. These include the pristine Zell am See Lake and Grossglockner National Park. It also includes the breathtaking vistas of the magnificent Kitzsteinhorn Glacier.

One of the main attractions of touring in the Austrian Alps is the opportunity to taste traditional food. You can enjoy a snack in a friendly roadside café as well as a fancy meal prepared by Michelin-starred chefs. Much of the food is prepared with fresh local ingredients that are typical of the area. So motorcycle touring combined with eating is a great way to experience the heart of the Austrian Alps.

The Dolomites is an unspoiled region of ragged peaks and pristine lakes as well as vast forests and traditional villages. But above all, some of the world’s most popular and challenging mountain passes are also found here. Corvara, your home for a night is located at the foot of the Passo Gardena and Passo Campolongo. The town is renowned for its warm hospitality as well as fantastic mountain views. Yet despite its popularity, somehow, Corvara has managed to maintain its ancient Alpine charm.

You will stay overnight in a welcoming chalet-style hotel. It has stylish rooms and its own traditional restaurant. The Dolomites have the culinary greatness of the entire Italy, all gathered in one place. The hotel’s chef is a master in serving old-fashioned, calorie-dense dishes to famished bikers. As cream on the cake, you’ll arrive at the ‘Pink Mountains’ via the legendary Grossglockner and glitzy Cortina d’Ampezzo.

For years, we have been saying the photos alone don’t do justice to your next destination. The best way to fully appreciate the Swiss Alps is to pack your panniers and take the photos yourself. Then you can see it, smell it, touch it, taste it as well as ride it.

You’ll be staying two nights in the Sankt Moritz area of the beautiful Engadin Valley. It is not one of the most photographed valleys for no apparent reason. The valley is simply breathtaking, and one of the best ways to explore it is by motorcycle. It is also a perfect starting point for riding the array of some of the most iconic mountain passes. These include Flüela, Ofen, Julier, Maloja and Albula as well as Bernina. And, of course, the one and only the magnificent Stelvio pass. So be sure that your battery is fully charged and bring extra memory cards for your camera.

This tour should undoubtedly be on your list if you enjoy motorcycle touring, delicious food, culture, and breathtaking scenery.

For more day-to-day information regarding the self guided motorcycle tour to Alpine Circle, please spend some time studying the tour itinerary below.

PLEASE NOTE: On rare occasions, the itinerary might slightly change depending on hotel availability.

For an alternative to the Alpine Circle self guided motorcycle tour, please use this link: Slovenia, Croatia and Dolomites self guided motorcyle holiday.

If you require a motorcycle rental for the self guided motorcycle tour to Alpine Circle please get in touch with our partner, RoadTrip.

Please visit our Facebook page for up-to-date information regarding the self guided motorcycle tour to Alpine Circle.

When to go:

Late May to September

Price

Includes

10 nights b&b accommodation
6 evening meals
Return Eurotunnel crossing
GPX routes
Trip check list
Daily itinerary
Suggested tourist attractions
Emergency services numbers

Excludes

Countries:

France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg

Motorcycle rental:

Available

Book now:

Tour highlights

Grossglockner High Alpine road
Salzburg and the Eagle’s Nest
Neuschwanstein – Disney Castle
Black Forest and the famous B500
Stelvio mountain pass
Medieval town of Glorenza
Bavarian alps
Italian Dolomites
Swiss alps
Biker friendly 3*** and 4**** hotels

Self Guided Motorcycle Tour to Alpine Circle Itinerary

Day 1 – Folkestone to Champagne Region (France) (Approx. 250 miles)

Today your Alpine Circle self-guided motorcyle-tour starts! The morning Euro-Tunnel crossing is followed by a relaxing motorway ride towards Reims. You will ride via the lush French countryside passing through numerous sleepy little towns and villages in the afternoon.

Sézanne is a traditional provincial town with cobbled streets and a big Norman church in the town centre. It is also an excellent place to stop for a drink. A long tradition of wine and champagne making will be evident everywhere around you.

Your first-night stay will be in one of the most beautiful Towns in the Aube region. Troyes has been described as having one of the most beautiful medieval centres to be seen in France.

You can spend hours exploring the town’s narrow streets and cobbled alleys and visiting some of the many tourist attractions. The city cathedral is definitely worth a visit. There is also a fantastic selection of bars, cafes as well as gourmet restaurants.

“In France, one meal without a glass of wine is a cause for slight concern. Two meals without a glass of wine is when they start to hyperventilate. And three meals without a glass of wine is an absolute disaster”

Day 2 – Champagne Region to Black Forest (Germany) (Approx. 250 miles)

This morning you will continue your Alpine Circle self-guided motorcyle-tour through the French countryside, cross the mighty river Rhine and enter Germany. You’ll spend most of the day riding the relaxing byways and highways through the rolling hills and green pastures. On the French side, we usually stop at Vittel, Gérardmer and also the Schlucht pass in the Vosges Mountains.

Vittel is a spa town famous for its water. It has a charming town centre with quite a few cafes and restaurants making it convenient for lunch. There is also plenty of parking for bikes.

Gérardmer is a gorgeous lakeside town nestled at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. It is worth stopping for a little stroll or a jambon baguette at one of its many boulangeries.

The Schlucht pass is one of the most popular biking routes in the Vosges Mountains. It is mainly frequented by the local bikers from both Germany and France.

From here, it will be a straightforward ride across the German border and towards your next destination. Your hotel just outside Lake Titisee will welcome you with a comfortable room and a traditional evening meal.

“In Germany if someone asks you, “Would you like a drink?” and you say, “Danke (Thanks)” that actually means “No, thank you.”
Equally, when paying your bill if you say “thank you” to the waiter before receiving your change that means “keep the change” “

Day 3 – Black Forest to Bavaria (Germany) (Approx. 190 miles)

Today the Alpine Circle self-guided motorcyle-tour continues. a superb day of riding lays ahead of you on your way to the most prosperous part of Germany. You will ride some great biking roads with perfectly smooth tarmac that is typical of the legendary German road engineering.

From our own experience, the best places for lunch stops are village bakeries. Here you’ll get what we call in the touring industry – three in one; food, drink and toilet. They serve some of the best freshly made sandwiches, salads and cakes you can wish for. The younger members of staff are usually well versed in the English language. As you approach Bad Waldsee, you’ll be able to get a glimpse of the Bavarian Alps for the first time.

If you have time on your way to your hotel, you can slightly deviate from your route to visit Linderhof Castle. There is also an opportunity to see two other magnificent creations of the Mad King Ludwig. Hohenschwangau, as well as Neuschwanstein (Disney Castle), are very close to each other and worth seeing.

“We all think the Oktoberfest in Munich is called Oktoberfest because it’s in October. Funny that… because it starts in September. And also Adidas designed vomit-proof sneakers exclusively for Oktoberfest… that starts in September”

Day 4 – Free Day (Approx. 120 miles)

As this is your first free day since departing on this fantastic Alpine Circle self-guided motorcyle-tour, you have a choice of visiting some tourist attractions that are only a short ride away. If you did not do it yesterday, you might visit the famous castles of Hohenschwangau, Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Palace.

If you prefer to go for a longer ride, a popular route is to head towards Oberammergau and Ettal. Oberammergau is well known for its Passion Play. In Ettal, you can visit the world-famous abbey and brewery. It is perhaps one of the most luxuriously decorated churches ever built.

From here, you can continue with the ride that will take you around the Starnberger See (lake). Then join the Romantische Straße (Romantic Road) and return back to the hotel.

Or you might choose to stay in the town, take a stroll, have lunch and relax. This is one of the most beautiful and tranquil regions of the Alps, so take your time and enjoy it.

“Apparently, during the Glorious days of the Empire, the Romans taught the wild Germanic tribes how to build the roads.
Interesting…considering the state of the roads in Italy nowadays it makes you wonder how exactly they worked that one out”

Day 5 – Bavaria to Zell am See region (Austria) (Approx. 130 miles)

Today it is only a short ride on your Alpine Circle self-guided motorcyle-tour, so it will give you plenty of time to take it easy and explore. Leaving Bavaria behind, you will cross into Austria by riding over the Fern pass.

Your route then continues towards the Gerlos pass and the magnificent Krimml waterfalls. Krimml is also a great place to stop for lunch and take a few snaps of the waterfalls. It is quite a distance from the car park to the waterfalls. so it could be a sweaty walk wearing all that biking gear. However, why not, if you still feel energetic and really determined to get that perfect holiday photo. It’s worth an effort.

Also, look out for the Pizzeria Cascata. It has a good menu with a great selection of Italian and Austrian dishes… and a Fiat 500 parked on its roof. It is also easy to park in front of it.

You’ll be staying in a comfortable hotel in one of the most famous towns in this picturesque region. Zell am See is a lakeside town surrounded by pine forests, flowery meadows as well as snow-capped mountains.

“Most of us assume that the world’s best known Austrian would be somebody like Amadeus Mozart or Sigismund Freud or Niki Lauda or even (might be a long shot) Adolf Hitler but it’s not… It is Arnold Schwarzenegger. So we hope after this tour… YOU’LL BE BACK!!!”

Day 6 – Zell am See to the Dolomites (Italy) (Approx. 150 miles)

From here, you’ll continue the Alpine Circle self-guided motorcycle-tour and journey deeper into the High Alps. And it does not get any higher than the High Alpine Road – Großglockner. In the past, this road was used by invading armies, immigrants, traders and smugglers, as well as tourists. Nowadays, it earned a deserved reputation of being one of the best biking roads in Europe, if not the world.

A slight deviation will take you to the edge of the Glockner glacier Pasterze. On a clear day, the visitor centre affords breathtaking views of the glacier and surrounding peaks. Mountains and glaciers aside, you will also get to see dozens of marmots and, if you’re lucky, the ibexes. The added bonus is the restaurant serves the most delicious pancakes anyone can wish for.

If you play your cards right, you will arrive at the Italian Dolomites just in time to order your well-deserved drink, sit down and enjoy the best sunset ever. And there is no more beautiful and better place than Corvara.

“One of the most famous Italians to come from the Dolomites is a mummy called the Iceman or more affectionately Ötzi.
He might be 5,000 years old, but he barely looks a day over 1,000! “

Day 7 – Dolomites to Sankt Moritz (Switzerland) (Approx. 160 miles)

Today, weather permitting, it is a good idea to set your GPS to keep you off the motorways. By doing so, you will ride over Campolongo, Pordoi, and Tonale pass in Italy. Then you’ll cross into Switzerland and also ride occasionally chilly but always beautiful Bernina pass.

The Jolly Bar in Edolo is an excellent place to stop if you get a bit parched or peckish or both. So watch out for it. But never mind if you miss it, there are plenty of other places just down the road in Aprica.

The Engadin valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Swiss Alps. It is famous for its traditional mountain villages, strikingly mild climate as well as close proximity to many passes. It is also regarded as the gateway to the Swiss National Park. So it makes it a perfect place for your next overnight destination.

The hotel has everything you need – comfortable rooms, an excellent restaurant menu, safe parking, and above all, stunning 360 degrees mountain vistas.

“If someone asked us “what did the Swiss invent?”
Most of us would probably say they invented: * Skiing – no… that’s British * Banking – no… Genovese claimed that one * Cheese – might be but Italians might beg to differ * Chocolate – definitely not… Maya Indians did it before * So what did the Swiss invent than?
Please go to day 8 to find out”

Day 8 – Free day (Approx. 120 miles)

The Swiss Alps and the Engadin valley, in particular, are a place of outstanding beauty, mountain charm and unrivalled biking roads. However, today it is usually all about one specific ride. You can take a ride to the medieval town of Glorenza and ride the mighty Stelvio pass.

From here, you’ll have a choice of taking a shorter route and descend via the twisty Umbrail pass back to Switzerland. Or you can opt to stay on the Italian side and extend your ride. This route will take you back via the glitzy ski resort of Bormio and the town of Tirano.

In an instance, the weather is not that good; you can turn in the opposite direction and ride to Lago di Como via Maloja pass. Whichever way you decide to point your bike, you’ll end up with a great ride. This fantastic Alpine Circle self-guided motorcycle tour always provides a choice. It never stops giving.

“The Swiss invented velcro, cellophane, the potato peeler, Helvetica font and the Swiss Army Knife”

Day 9 – Sankt Moritz to Black Forest (Germany) (Approx. 200 miles)

The Alpine Circle self-guided motorcycle-tour continues. From Switzerland, you’ll continue your journey on a mixture of mountain and country roads, some big and some small and some fast and some slow. You’ll start with a morning ride over the twisty but enjoyable Flüela pass.

On a nice day, it is worth stopping on top of the pass to have a coffee on a terrace overlooking a mountain lake. If you feel a bit peckish, this is a perfect place to treat yourself to a slice of nusstorte. The Swiss walnut pie is a delicious traditional cake sweet enough to send your blood sugar levels through the roof. And it is also sufficiently sticky to pool your teeth out. But in our own opinion, as well as many others, it is a risk undoubtedly worth taking.

From here, you’ll descend towards Davos, slowly leaving the Alps behind you. For the rest of the day, you’ll wiggle your way through the Swiss countryside and cross the border with Germany.

You’ll arrive at your hotel in the Black Forest just in time to have a drink before dinner.

“According to the Romans, they were the first to use the name “Black Forest.” They called it “Silva Nigra”, which means “Black Forest” in their Latin language”

Day 10 – Black Forest to Luxembourg (Approx. 250 miles)

Another good day of biking is ahead of you on the self guided motorcyle holiday. Today you’ll ride some great country roads surrounded by rolling hills, green fields and forests. It is a beautiful relaxing day that will give you plenty of time to take it easy and enjoy your journey towards Luxembourg.

The first part of your trip will include a section of the famous B500 – Schwazwaldhochstrasse. This scenic biking route runs from the charming spa town of Baden-Baden all the way to the Swiss border. This road has perfect tarmac and sweeps through the hilly forested landscape allowing breathtaking views.

Lake Mummelsee is one of the most tranquil and beautiful places in the Black Forest. It is located near the top of Hornisgrinde – the highest peak in the Northern Black Forest. From here you’ll get the best vistas of the German as well as French countryside below. We recommend the restaurant directly on the waterfront offering a wide range of snacks and meals using local produce.

The rest of the journey will be a combination of pleasant country routes, faster dual carriageways and some motorways.

Your hotel in Vianden will welcome you with a comfortable room and a delicious evening meal. It also has a well-visited beer garden.

“Luxembourg’s cuisine is heavily influenced by both French and German food traditions. Local delicacies include potato pancakes (gromper keeschelche), plum tart (quetsche tort), and green bean soup with potatoes, bacon and onion (Bouneschlupp)”

Day 11 – Luxembourg to Folkestone (Approx. 250 miles)

Back to the saddle for your final day’s ride and return to the UK. The first half of the journey will include some lovely country roads, followed by a straightforward motorway ride to Calais. Your return Eurotunnel crossing to Folkestone will be booked for late afternoon.

Please note due to the more favourable fuel costs; it is worth topping up in Luxembourg.

Thank you for RidingWithUs on this fantastic self guided motorcyle holiday. And we hope to see you again soon.

“Often returning home from a nice holiday is the best time to start thinking about the next one”

What our customers say

“I have been now on three tours so far and all have been great.”

John Parvin

UK, 2012, 2014, 2015