How beautiful is Italy! It might sound trite, but every region features its own characteristics and peculiarities, all to be discovered. Food, landscapes, mountains, seas... and yes, also itineraries to tackle by motorcycle. If you don’t fancy crossing the border, you might already know that Italy is full of incredible itineraries – not only in terms of roads, views and landscapes but also in terms of destinations. Here’s our selection of the most beautiful Italian itineraries.
If you’d like to go on a motorcycle trip in Sardinia, choosing an itinerary won’t be easy, though it’s also true that wherever you go you won’t be disappointed, as many roads are suited to motorcycle touring. Therefore, the ideal alternative is to dedicate more days to discovering the island, starting with Costa Smeralda, easily reachable by heading north once off the ferry in Olbia. If you want to reach the most hidden bays, as well as skirting the coast, it’s best to ride a single- or twin-cylinder Enduro road motorcycle.
Continuing along the northern coast, you reach the western coast in Alghero, where the beautiful 40-km long asphalt stretch to Bosa begins (the renowned Alghero-Bosa road, in fact), undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean. Further south, once past Oristano, in the Guspini and Arbus area, you enter one of the wildest regions of the island, which in the past was exploited for its mineral resources. The most beautiful part, unpaved at times, is definitively the one descending toward the sea to the great dunes of Piscinas, on the Costa Verde, which reach 100 meters in height and are amongst the tallest in Europe. The area is part of a natural reserve where, of course, it’s forbidden to continue by motorcycle. The SS125 Oriental Sarda highway is a spectacle for the eyes and for the senses, especially in the region between Urzulei and Dorgali, around the Gorropu Canyon.
Crossing the Trentino-Alto Adige and the Veneto regions by motorcycle, the Great Dolomites Road features unique views between Bolzano and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Along the way, it’s advisable to at least make a stop at the Lago di Carezza in Val d’Ega, also called the “Rainbow of Latemar”, gone down in history for being one of the sites beloved by princess Sissi (Empress Elisabeth of Austria), as well as most probably one of the most picturesque views in the world. After the Costalunga Pass, you descend to the Val di Fassa, head toward Canazei and go back up toward the Pordoi Pass, then you continue to Arabba and Livinallongo del Col di Lana. When heading toward the Falzarego Pass, just before Cortina you can take the cable car and reach one of the most beautiful scenic spots in the Dolomites: The Lagazuoi Refuge.
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Still in the Dolomites, the quintessential great classic route remains, however, the Sella Ronda loop, also called Four Passes Tour. 50 km of asphalt and bends in good condition and immersed in even dreamier landscapes around the spectacular Sella mountain. Going clockwise, the Four Passes are the Sella Pass, the Gardena Pass, the Campolongo Pass and the already-mentioned Pordoi Pass; the adjoining valleys are the Val Gardena, the Alta Badia, the Valle di Fodom and finally the Val di Fassa. In this area, there are simply no words to describe the landscapes – at least once in a lifetime, you need to admire them with your own eyes; even better if at dawn or at sunset, when the light turns the dolomite walls pink, purple and orange, owing to a phenomenon called Enrosadira.
The coasts of Sicily are fascinating, but you can’t say you really know the island unless you explore it inland. One of the most picturesque itineraries is the Madonie circuit, an endless series of bends featuring constant ups and downs surrounded by green meadows, which in the early 1900s became the track for one of the most famous motor racing competitions in the world, the Targa Florio. There are many crossroads, but to avoid getting lost you just need to follow the signs indicating the different routes: Short, medium or long, starting from Floriopoli in the region of Cerda, where the old structures with the Targa Florio’s grandstand seats and boxes are still standing. Along this itinerary that explores Sicily there are many possible stops for those who also wish to enjoy the historical, artistic and natural beauties of the Madonie Park. Such as the scenic Petralia Soprana, from where you can admire Etna in the distance and stroll through the historic center full of architectural treasures.
Tuscany offers another perfect itinerary for motorcycles suited to off-road riding – 200 km through the Crete Senesi area, extraordinarily enchanting in the morning, when they’re shrouded by a thin layer of mist. You start in Gaiole and continue south, following the “Eroica” signs that, at every crossroad, will reliably point to the right way, which goes through Siena, Montalcino and Asciano. Approximately 70% of the itinerary runs on wide white roads, provincial roads open to the traffic with a dirt surface excellently maintained, but with just one flaw: When it’s dry, they generate a thick cloud of dust that can drastically reduce visibility. Best to take it on with an adventure motorcycle and, if possible, a couple of days after it’s rained.
Italy offers many options to travel from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Adriatic, a kind of local coast-to-coast trip. The routes are definitively shorter than the American equivalent, but feature great landscapes and, above all, can be completed in just a few days. An interesting example is the itinerary connecting two of the most well-known seaside resorts, Forte dei Marmi and Rimini. Travel east, following the SS 66 first and then joining a road that’s truly legendary for motorcycle riders, the one climbing towards the Muraglione Pass, commissioned in the 19th century by Grand Duke Leopold II. It’s spectacular but requires care, as it’s easy to meet some overly enthusiastic motorcycle riders coming from the other direction. From the pass, you then descend amid the hills of Romagna, which reach the sea.
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Considered one of the most beautiful routes in Piedmont, the Panoramica Zegna is a real must for motorcycle riders who want to enjoy the view over the Biellese Alps, crossing the Oasi Zegna region. It’s highly appreciated by motorcycle riders for its smooth bends, the fresh mountain air and the natural surroundings that, depending on the season, offer different views in terms of colors and landscapes. One of the most picturesque spot on this motorcycle route is, without any doubt, the Conca dei Rododendri (Rhododendron Basin) – a true springtime explosion of colors when in flower. And why not take the chairlift to the Monte Marca Refuge in Bielmonte?
These are the most beautiful itineraries in Italy according to us, but the topic remains an open debate. No doubt, depending on everyone’s personal taste, there are as many, even more spectacular, itineraries, but we’re confident that each one of those we mentioned will offer you unique emotions on your motorcycle.
