If you’ve ever stared at your dusty GPS and thought, “I need something a little more… epic,” then saddle up, because you’re about to ride headfirst into the holy grail of motorcycle adventures. This isn’t your average Sunday cruise or scenic detour—this is the Ultimate ADV Bucket List, a curated list of the Top 10 motorcycle routes on Earth for riders who crave challenge, wonder, and just the right amount of chaos.
From the icy reaches of Alaska’s Dalton Highway to the twisting, temple-lined roads of Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Loop, these routes will take you across deserts, through ancient mountain passes, past glaciers, llamas, yaks, and possibly into existential enlightenment (or at least a very good roadside curry).
Expect deep gravel, high altitude, hairpin turns, and the kind of landscapes that touch your soul. There is a ride here for every rider and they’re in no particular order, so gear up, and let’s get lost—in all the right ways…
- Pamir Highway (M41) – Tajikistan to Kyrgyzstan (above)
The Pamir Highway, often referred to as the “Roof of the World,” is one of the most remote and challenging roads in the world. Stretching from Dushanbe in Tajikistan to Osh in Kyrgyzstan, it takes riders through the high-altitude landscapes of the Pamirs, crossing the towering Ak-Baital Pass at over 4,650 meters. The ride features a mix of broken pavement, rocky gravel, and long stretches with little to no fuel stops or cell coverage. Despite the hardships, riders are rewarded with jaw-dropping views, encounters with nomadic communities, and a rare feeling of pure solitude.
- Distance:~1,250 km (777 mi)
- Route:Dushanbe → Khorog → Murghab → Sary-Tash
- Elevation:Peaks at 4,655 m (Ak-Baital Pass)
- Terrain:Mostly paved but rough; expect potholes, gravel, and landslides.
- Best Time to Go:June–September
- Challenges:High altitude, fuel scarcity, cold nights.
- Highlights:Wakhan Valley, Soviet outposts, mountain deserts.
- Ruta 40 – Argentina (above)
Ruta 40 is a legendary ride that slices down the spine of Argentina, skirting the Andes for over 5,000 kilometers. It’s one of the longest roads in the world and offers a wild variety of landscapes—from the high-altitude deserts of the north to the glacial expanses of Patagonia in the south. Riders traverse barren steppe, ancient Incan ruins, wine valleys, and remote outposts where guanacos and condors are your only companions. It’s a dream ride for those craving adventure, isolation, and a sense of endless horizon.
- Distance:~5,200 km (3,230 mi)
- Route:La Quiaca → Mendoza → Bariloche → El Calafate → Rio Gallegos
- Terrain:Mix of tarmac, gravel, and remote stretches
- Best Time to Go:October–April
- Highlights:Andes views, Patagonian steppe, glaciers, Gaucho culture
- Tips:Wind can be brutal in Patagonia—pack accordingly.
- Transfăgărășan Highway – Romania (above)
Winding its way through the Făgăraș Mountains, the Transfăgărășan Highway is Romania’s crown jewel of tarmac. Famously dubbed “the best driving road in the world” by Top Gear, this 90 km stretch is packed with serpentine curves, steep inclines, and alpine switchbacks. Carved into the mountains by dictator Ceaușescu in the 1970s, it cuts through tunnels and passes shimmering lakes. It’s a short but intense ride, perfect for thrill-seekers with a taste for dramatic scenery and buttery-smooth bends.
- Distance:~90 km (56 mi)
- Route:Bascov → Căpățânenii Ungureni → Bâlea Lake → Cârțișoara
- Best Time to Go:July–October
- Highlights:Bâlea Lake, tunnels, sheer drops, and Dracula’s Castle nearby
- Notes:It’s a summer-only route—closed due to snow in winter.
Phot0 by : Helge Pedersen
4 – The Silk Road – Central Asia (above)
Riding the ancient Silk Road is like motorcycling through a living history book. Spanning thousands of kilometers across Central Asia, this route threads together the cultural riches of China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and beyond. Riders pass through the blue domes of Samarkand, the rugged Tian Shan mountains, and windswept desert roads dotted with camel caravans and ancient caravanserais. The terrain varies from well-paved highways to rugged backroads, making it a true transcontinental adventure.
- Distance:Variable (~4,000+ km)
- Sample Route:Xi’an (China) → Kashgar → Samarkand → Bukhara → Tehran
- Best Time to Go:April–October
- Highlights:Ancient cities, mountain passes, deserts, caravanserais
- Challenges:Border bureaucracy, fuel access, extreme climates
Photo by Lee Klancher
- Dalton Highway – Alaska, USA (above)
The Dalton Highway is one of the most remote and exhilarating roads in North America. Originally built to support the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, it stretches from Fairbanks to Deadhorse on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. Gravel dominates the route, which winds through vast forests, tundra, and arctic plains. It’s notorious for its isolation, unpredictable weather, and slippery surfaces. Reaching Prudhoe Bay feels like conquering the end of the Earth—an adventure motorcyclist’s rite of passage.
- Distance:~666 km (414 mi)
- Route:Fairbanks → Coldfoot → Deadhorse (Prudhoe Bay)
- Best Time to Go:June–August
- Highlights:Arctic Circle, pipeline, Alaskan wilderness
- Warnings:Slippery when wet; services are few and far between
- Karakoram Highway – Pakistan to China (above)
Dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Karakoram Highway connects Pakistan and China via the Khunjerab Pass, one of the highest paved international border crossings in the world. The road takes riders through the spectacular Hunza Valley, past ancient fortresses and glaciers that pour off the Karakoram Range. It’s a dramatic clash of nature and civilization where avalanches, landslides, and high-altitude roads keep adrenaline levels high.
- Distance:~1,300 km (810 mi)
- Route:Islamabad → Gilgit → Hunza Valley → Khunjerab Pass → Kashgar
- Elevation:Peaks at 4,693 m at Khunjerab Pass
- Best Time to Go:May–October
- Highlights:Baltit Fort, glaciers, the Indus River canyon
- Safety Note:Road conditions and landslides can be hazardous.
- Garden Route – South Africa (above)
The Garden Route is a lush, ocean-hugging journey along South Africa’s southern coast. Known for its striking scenery, this relatively short ride from Mossel Bay to Storms River offers dense forests, mountain passes, golden beaches, and the chance to spot elephants, whales, and ostriches along the way. With smooth roads and abundant accommodation options, it’s ideal for riders who want nature and comfort in equal measure.
- Distance:~300 km (190 mi)
- Route:Mossel Bay → Knysna → Plettenberg Bay → Tsitsikamma
- Best Time to Go:September–April
- Highlights:Wildlife, coastlines, forests, ostrich farms
- Mae Hong Son Loop – Thailand (above)
Twisting through the jungled hills of northern Thailand, the Mae Hong Son Loop is a motorcyclist’s playground, boasting over 1,800 curves in just 600 kilometers. Starting and ending in Chiang Mai, this route passes through Pai, Mae Hong Son, and peaceful countryside peppered with waterfalls, temples, and hot springs. It’s a rider-friendly loop, especially popular with lightweight dual-sport or touring bikes, and offers a unique blend of adventure and comfort.
- Distance:~600 km (373 mi)
- Route:Chiang Mai → Pai → Mae Hong Son → Mae Sariang → Chiang Mai
- Best Time to Go:November–February (cool season)
- Highlights:1,864 curves, rice fields, hot springs, Thai hill tribes
- Tips:Great for mid-level riders and 250cc+ bikes
- Great Ocean Road – Australia (above)
One of the most iconic coastal drives in the world, Australia’s Great Ocean Road is a thrilling stretch of tarmac along cliffs that plunge into the Southern Ocean. This ride is a sensory overload with every turn—thundering surf, eucalyptus forests, koalas overhead, and the towering Twelve Apostles rock formations. Though it’s only 240 km long, its sweeping bends, clean pavement, and countless viewpoints make it ideal for a relaxed, scenic motorcycle journey.
- Distance:~240 km (150 mi)
- Route:Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay → Port Campbell
- Best Time to Go:November–April
- Highlights:Twelve Apostles, ocean cliffs, rainforest detours
- Road Quality:Excellent tarmac; watch for tourists and wildlife.
Photo by Vargis Khan
10. Manali to Leh Highway – India (above)
The ride from Manali to Leh is one of the most breathtaking and challenging journeys in the Himalayas. At nearly 5,300 meters at its highest pass, the route traverses some of the harshest conditions on earth: freezing river crossings, loose scree, snow-melt torrents, and thin oxygen levels. But the reward is immense—moonlike landscapes, Tibetan monasteries, and soul-stirring views that feel otherworldly. This is a pilgrimage route for any serious adventure motorcyclist.
- Distance:~490 km (300 mi)
- Route:Manali → Sarchu → Pang → Leh
- Elevation:Peaks at 5,328 m (Tanglang La Pass)
- Best Time to Go:June–September
- Highlights:Monasteries, passes, high-altitude lakes
- Challenges:Altitude sickness, river crossings, landslides