A Guide to the Best Motorcycle Passes in the Alps
Where do you start when it comes to the Best Motorcycle Passes in the Alps?
The Alps are a motorcyclist’s paradise! dramatic peaks, endless hairpins, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and roads that challenge your skills while rewarding you with unforgettable scenery.
From the legendary Colle del Gran San Bernardo in Italy to flowing classics in Switzerland and France, riding the Alps on a motorcycle is a bucket-list experience for riders worldwide.
Guide My Ride founder, Robyn, has hand picked his list of top ten Mountain Passes in the Alps to ride on a motorcycle, so you need search no more.
We include detailed descriptions, riding difficulty, best times to go, and practical tips to help you learn more about the famous mountain passes that make Alpine motorcycle adventures epic.
Why Ride the Alps on a Motorcycle?
Motorcycling through the Alps offers a combination of technical riding, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural variety that few destinations can match. In a single day, you can carve perfect switchbacks, cross international borders, and enjoy world-class food in small mountain villages.
Key Reasons Motorcycle Riders Choose the Alps
Iconic Mountain Passes (Cols)
A pass is a road that goes up and over a mountain, taking the easiest or only possible route between 2 points. They are often carved into the cliffside and usually created hundreds of years ago as a trading route or to provide access to high alpine pastures for cattle. Nowadays they have a nice layer of tarmac on top and provide from some excellent motorcycling riding
Well Maintained Roads
European countries take great pride in their roads. It is a joy to ride in the Alps thanks to well planned out and excellently maintained roads. A good percentage of this road network is used in the winter months to allow travel to and from ski resorts, meaning a good amount of funding is allocated to the upkeep and resurfacing, music to motorcyclists' ears.
Incredible Elevation Changes and Diverse Scenery
With many mountain passes over 2000m in altitude and great access thanks to the ski tourism in the region, you can easily rack up 10,000 meters of ascent in a day's riding (a long day). In the spring you are likely to find yourself riding the heist passes with up to 4 meter high snow walls either side. The glaciers will be on display all summer with their beautiful blue/green coloring, they are responsible for the colours of the alpine rivers that snake their way down through the valleys, where you will find yourself surrounded by vineyards as you ride thought small alpine villages.
Easy Access and Motorcycle Friendly Infrastructure
Riding in between France, Italy, Switzerland and Austria is incredibly easy thanks to the European Union, borders are virtually non-existent so you can focus on soaking up the scenery and enjoying the wonderful roads. In Europe, motorcyclists on the whole are welcomed with open arms, you will often find the hotel and restaurant owners are motorcyclists and are happy to share their local knowledge with you. Most accommodations will have secure parking for motorcycles and space to hang up / dry your gear.
Top Ten Best Mountain Passes in the Alps for Motorcycles
Below is Guide My Ride’s pick of the top ten best mountain passes in the Alps for motorcycles. All of these epic mountain passes feature in our motorcycle tours so you don’t have to work out an itinerary to cover them all - we’ve done it for you!
1 - Col du Grand Saint Bernard 2469 metres (Italy/Switzerland)
40.2 km
2017m climb
5.0% Av gradient
20 harpins
Difficulty is moderate
Review of Col du Grand Saint-Bernard from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
The Col du Grand Saint-Bernard is our number one pick. This epic mountain pass combines smooth, flowing mountain roads with breathtaking alpine scenery. It’s a motorcyclist's dream road to ride, with a wide, well-maintained road surface and long, sweeping curves that make it unbeatable on our list of top ten best mountain passes for motorcycles in the Alps. The high-altitude setting of the Col du Grand Saint-Bernard delivers dramatic views of snow capped peaks, glacial lakes and the chance to reflect back on the epic roads you’ve just ridden, when you reach the summit. Add in the sense of crossing an ancient route between Switzerland and Italy, and it feels like a ride not only jam packed with character but also with a lot of historical soul.
Bonus Rider Tip: The Col du Grand Saint-Bernard is relatively light on traffic, which makes it a great ride all season long.
2 - Col du Mont Cenis 2084 metres (France/Italy)
30.2 km
1654m climb
5.5% Av gradient
12 harpins
Difficulty is easy
Review of Col du Mont Cenis from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
The Col du Mont Cenis ranks so highly on our list because it has that perfect combination of what all motorcyclists look for in a dream ride; a great road surface, flowing and seamlessly endless bends, turns and hairpins and spectacular scenery. The climb is steady rather than brutal, letting you settle into a comfortable rhythm flanked by dramatic stone walls, while enjoying sweeping views of turquoise Lake Mont Cenis and the surrounding mountain peaks. With the added plus of relatively little traffic, compared to many famous passes linking France and Italy, the Col du Mont Cenis delivers a ride that’s smooth, scenic, and deeply satisfying from start to finish.
Robyn’s highlight: The turquoise waters of Lake Mont Cenis will take your breath away.
3 - Col de la Madeleine 2000 metres (France)
19.3 km
1522m climb
7.9% Av gradient
24 harpins
Difficulty is difficult
Review of Col de la Madeleine from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
Riding a motorcycle up the Col de la Madeleine is pure joy. It’s an alpine mountain pass must-do that perfectly combines all the features you should expect from our number 3 pick. The road is beautifully engineered with flowing switchbacks, varied gradients, and tight hairpins to keep you fully in tune with that magical moment; just you, your motorcycle and the road beneath you. On the ascent of the Col de la Madeleine, the views open up to dramatic mountain peaks in every direction, alpine green meadows, and the sweeping valley below. Add in a dash of fresh mountain air, changing landscapes, and the satisfaction of summiting a legendary pass, and it’s easy to see why the Madeleine is a favorite among motorcyclists.
Bonus Rider Tip: The ascent from La Chambre is the better side from which to ascend the col de la Madeleine.
4 - Col des Aravis 1487m (France)
11.6 km
610m climb
5.3% Av gradient
7 harpins
Difficulty is moderate
Review of Col des Aravis from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
The Col des Aravis is one of our favourites and a hidden gem for motorcyclists searching for the best mountain passes in the Alps. This lesser known mountain pass delivers pure riding joy without the crowds of more famous alpine passes. The ascent of the Col des Aravis threads through an ancient gorge, where steep rock walls and cool air heighten the sense of adventure, before the road opens out onto a sweeping plateau. From here, it’s a rhythm of endless, perfectly cambered corners that flow naturally across the open alpine landscape. Its combination of dramatic geology, evolving scenery, and a road that feels like it’s been designed purely for motorcycles makes the Col des Aravis quietly unforgettable.
Bonus RIder Tip: Classic, picture book alpine charm. Have your camera at the ready!
5 - Col du Galibier 2642 metres (plus Col du Télégraphe at 1567 metres) (France)
34.8 km
2085m climb
6% Av gradient
27 harpins
Difficulty is difficult
Review of Col du Galibier from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
These two awesome mountain passes make up number 5 on our list of best motorcycle passes in the Alps. The Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier form an unforgettable ride because they blend two completely different mountain rides into one continuous ascent. The Col du Télégraphe draws you in with tight, technical switchbacks weaving its way through dense forest, demanding focus and rhythm, while steadily building anticipation. The Col du Galibier then opens up dramatically into a wide, high-altitude road above the tree line, where sweeping curves, fresh mountain air, and vast alpine vistas make the landscape feel surreal and otherworldly. As you climb higher, the isolation, scale, and raw terrain create the sensation that you’re riding on another planet, making the final summit feel not just earned, but epic.
Riding Bonus: Two mountain passes in one… what’s not to love?
6 - Col du Petit Saint Bernard 2189 metres (France/Italy)
29.8 km
1378 m climb
4.6% Av gradient
20 harpins
Difficulty is easy
Review of Col du Petit Saint Bernard from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
Not to be confused with our number one pick of best motorcycle passes in the Alps - The Col du Grand Saint Bernard - the Col du Petit Saint Bernard is a very different mountain pass that is still worthy of a place in our top ten. The Col du Petit Saint Bernard is a breathtaking ride that blends natural beauty with a long history, winding its way through ancient forests on a ribbon of superb, flowing corners that feel purpose-built for motorcycles. As you climb higher, the trees give way to open alpine views, culminating at a summit that rewards you with spectacular views of the Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest mountain, and a scattering of shimmering glacial lakes. Every turn of the Col du Petit Saint Bernard carries echoes of the past, since this timeless route has been used for millennia—most famously by Hannibal, who crossed over it 2,000 years ago with his army.
Fun Fact: Hannibal’s army included 37 elephants!
7 - Cormet de Roselend 1968m (France)
20.3 km
1251m climb
6.2% Av gradient
11 harpins
Difficulty is difficult
Review of Cormet de Roselend from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
Although it's number 7 on our list of best motorcycle passes in the Alps, the Cormet de Roselend is a dream road for motorcyclists. It delivers constant variety and flow, from its super-tight, technical hairpins, deep in the historical forests that line the ascent, through to the open, racetrack-like sweepers that develop as you climb higher, offering huge sightlines toward the summit. The changing scenery and elevation keep every kilometer engaging, and the fact that it’s a regular feature of the infamous Tour de France only adds to the legend—you’re riding the same dramatic curves that have tested the world’s toughest cyclists.
Robyn’s Highlight: Spectacular views of the barrage de Roselend and its cyan blue waters.
8 - Col de la Forclaz 1526m (France/Switzerland)
13.0 km
1026m climb
7.9% Av gradient
5 harpins
Difficulty is easy
Review of Col de la Forclaz from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
The Col de la Forclaz packs so much fun into such a short distance because it delivers everything a motorcyclist loves. That’s why we’ve chosen this mountain pass as number 8 in our top ten motorcycle passes in the Alps. The Col de la Forclaz offers wide, well-surfaced roads that flow smoothly through a series of perfect bends. The climb rises through sun-soaked vineyards, boasting stunning scenery that gets more dramatic with every corner. It’s one of the rare passes where road layout, surface, and setting align so perfectly that reaching the summit without an ear-to-ear grin feels almost impossible.
Riding Bonus: The Col de la Forclaz is part of the Tour de Mont Blanc, which features in all of Guide My Ride’s motorcycle tours.
9 - Col de l'Iseran 2770m (France)
47.4 km
2050m climb
4.3% Av gradient
12 harpins
Difficulty is difficult
Review of Col de l’Iseran from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
The Col de l’Iseran feels like a place where the Alps lift the veil between earth and sky, which makes this alpine mountain pass an absolute must for anyone riding though the area on a motorcycle. As Europe’s highest paved mountain pass at 2770m, the Col de l’Iseran rises up into a world of sweeping glaciers, snow capped peaks and raw rock, bathed in a light that seems impossibly clear. Winding through these vast horizons and dramatic peaks, the Col de l’Iseran inspires awe and humility in equal measure, reminding you how small you are and how magical the mountains can be.
Top Riding Tip: Pack extra layers when tackling this mountain pass especially in Spring and Autumn.
10 - Col du Nivolet 2616m (Italy)
47.1 km
2138m climb
4.5% Av gradient
40 harpins
Difficulty is difficult
Review of Col du Nivolet from Our Motorcycle Guide, Robyn
Last but by no means least on our list of best motorcycle passes in the Alps, riding a motorbike up the Col du Nivolet is nothing short of epic. Once you roll out of Ceresole Reale, the road opens into a flawless ribbon of perfectly stacked bends and flowing corners that feel purpose-built for two wheels. Every climb reveals bigger, more dramatic alpine views—towering peaks, open skies, and sweeping valleys that make you want to stop every five minutes just to take it all in. It’s the kind of road that stays with you long after the engine’s cooled, made even more legendary by the fact that it doubled as a film location for The Italian Job.
Bonus Tip: Ride the Col du Nivolet and experience this legendary mountain pass on Guide My Ride’s Ultimate Alps tour.
Best Time to Ride a Motorcycle over the Alpine Passes
Most high alpine passes are only open from late June to early autumn due to snow. July and September are often the best months, offering open roads with fewer crowds and stable weather. Guide My Ride’s tours operate within the months of early June to the end of September. Custom motorcycle tours can be organised around this time frame, depending on your desired destination and the status of the local roads.
Essential Tips for Riding the Alps on a Motorcycle
Riding the alpine mountain passes is not the same as your average, gentle road cruise. Read up on Robyn’s essential tips for motorcycling in the Alps below, to ensure that you’re not caught out on your next alpine motorcycle adventure:
Always check pass openings before departure
Start rides early to avoid traffic
Watch for gravel, livestock, and sudden weather changes
Carry layers and waterproof gear
Fuel up whenever possible in mountain regions
Final Thoughts: The Best Alpine Motorcycle Passes
Riding the Alps on a motorcycle is more than just a road trip — it is a test of skill, a celebration of freedom, and an immersion into some of Europe’s most spectacular landscapes. Whether you chase technical hairpins, glide through Swiss passes, or enjoy the polished roads of France, the Alps deliver an experience every motorcyclist should enjoy at least once in their lifetime.
Guide My Ride has built its tours around years of experience in the Alps, knowing the hidden gems that turn a good motorcycle tour into an unforgettable one.
Contact us for help creating your motorcycle dream trip or to know more about our tours.
