The UK has a lot to offer when it comes to motorcycle road trips. Although there are some amazing sights across Europe and other areas of the globe, some of the best adventure routes are most definitely on our doorstep in the UK.

From coastal towns and breath-taking mountain ranges, to the stunning Scottish Highlands, there are plenty of wonderful places to visit and enjoy. So, if you’re looking for some riding route recommendations to help plan your next road trip, you’ve come to the right place. Here the team at Tru-Tension have hand-picked some of our favourite adventure routes to ride in the UK.

North Coast 500 (NC500)

Starting and finishing at Inverness Castle, the NC500 is a circular 500-mile route that takes you around the coast of Northern Scotland. It is an astonishingly beautiful route that features some of Scotland’s best landmarks and views, including sandy beaches, picturesque lochs, ancient castles and of course, the towering mountains of the Scottish Highlands.

Known as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, it is an incredibly popular route with plenty of potential stopping points along the way. During peak season in the height of summer it can become extremely busy, so even though it is possible to complete the NC500 in just a few days, we recommend giving yourself 5-7 days to fully explore.

Start point: Inverness Castle

End point: Inverness Castle

Distance: 500 miles

Recommended ride time: 5 – 7 days

Land’s End to John o’Groats

Probably the most famous road trip in the UK, Land’s End to John o’Groats is a challenge many bikers, cyclists, runners and walkers alike strive to complete. For bikers, it involves riding the entire length of Great Britain from Land’s End in the far South West of England to John o’Groats in the far North East of Scotland.

The shortest road distance between Land’s End and John o’Groats is just over 800 miles. However, the exact route you take is completely up to you, so you can decide which roads to take as well as where and how often to stop.

Some of the highlights we recommend visiting during your route include Snowdonia, the Lake District, Bassenthwaite Lake, Loch Lomond, Fort William and Loch Ness.

The shortest route can be completed in as little as 15 hours by motorcycle, but we advise taking a few days so that you can stop off at various places.

Start point: Land’s End

End point: John o’Groats

Distance: 800+ miles

Recommended ride time: 3 – 7 days

East Coast Discovery Route

This route might not be as well-known as the NC500 or the Land’s End to John o’Groats challenge, but it can certainly be just as enjoyable. Beginning in Skegness and heading north before finishing at Whitby, the East Coast Discovery Route is a 180-mile route that can be completed in just one or two days.

Taking you through old English seaside resorts on the East Coast as well as across some of the Yorkshire Moorlands, this route features twisty roads, sweeping corners and hidden dips and corkscrews.

If you’re looking for places to stop off, Flamborough Head should be at the top of your list. Not only do the sheer white cliffs provide excellent sea views, but puffins can even be seen from the cliff tops from mid-May to mid-July.

Start point: Skegness

End point: Whitby

Distance: 180 miles

Recommended ride time: 1 – 2 days

The Welsh Valley Retreat

Another route that can be completed in just a single day is The Welsh Valley Retreat. Starting in Chepstow in South Wales, this 100-mile route passes through the Brecon Beacons and finishes on the West Coast of Wales at Aberystwyth.

If you have time, then you should definitely explore the Brecon Beacons. The A4609 (also known as the Black Mountain Pass), for example, is a popular road that takes you through some of the most picturesque valleys in Wales and reaches a maximum altitude of 1,600ft. It’s a challenging road too, offering hairpin turns, tight sections and roaming sheep!

Start point: Chepstow

End point: Aberystwyth

Distance: 100 miles

Recommended ride time: 1 day

The Yorkshire Dales

If you’re not looking for a route as such, but more of an area to explore, then look no further than the Yorkshire Dales. It is regarded as one of the UK’s most incredible and scenic riding locations.

Whatever route you decide to take, be sure to ride the Buttertubs Pass between the villages of Hardraw and Thwaite. It’s only a short ride but it provides you with spectacular views as well as some fast inclines and declines. After riding it once you’ll almost certainly want to turn around and do it again!

Motorcycle Maintenance Products with Tru-Tension

We hope this short guide has provided you with some inspiration for the best motorcycle routes to enjoy in the UK.

If you are looking for industry-leading motorcycle maintenance tools to help ensure you keep your bike in prime condition, be sure to take a look at our wide range of products on offer here at Tru-Tension. From lubricants and brake cleaners to chain tensioning tools, we stock an array of motorcycle products allowing you to get more out of your bike.

See more: The Best Products for Cleaning Your Motorbike’s Chain

See more: Everything You Need to Know About Lubricating Your Motorbike