Ride Europe: Route 1

Are you ready for a new challenge? Ride Europe is a series of routes that will put your endurance to the test and inspire your next adventure, while guiding you along some of the best riding roads in the continent. Broken into sections so that you can complete it stage by stage at your own pace – or in one sweep if you’re game! – H.O.G.^® is delighted to introduce the first ride in the series.

This challenge will sit within H.O.G. Ride 365^™ but work a little differently. To prove that you’ve completed each stage, we need to see photographs of you at the local Harley-Davidson^® dealerships that bookend each section. Simply upload your evidence through the H.O.G. Stories site and your rewards will be posted.

For each stage you complete, there is a commemorative coin to collect, and you can also look out for themed poker chips arriving in dealerships very soon.

Stage 1: Cantabrian Ride

Days: six
Terrain: coastal, mountainous
Distance: approximately 1,800km
Countries visited: Portugal, Spain, Andorra and France

Following some of the finest secondary roads across northern Portugal, this first stage takes in mountain scenery and historic towns, while avoiding motorways. Look forward to varied views and climbs through the Picos de Europa in Spain, followed by the French Pyrenees and Ariège over the border. Among the many highlights are the Fundação da Casa de Mateus, a beautiful Portuguese palace; the cable car at Fuente Dé, which carries you high into the peaks for spectacular views of the Picos; the sprawling remains of the Ciudadela de Pamplona; and the Gorges du Verdouble in southern France, where crystal-clear waters tumble over rosy limestone, and there’s even a ruined windmill to explore. The famous fortified city of Carcassonne lies a little to the north of the route and is well worth a detour.

Click the links below for a day-by-day guide to riding this stage:

Stage 2: Napoleon Route

Days: five
Terrain: coastal, countryside, mountainous
Distance: approximately 1,400km
Countries visited: France, Switzerland and Italy

This five-day journey links the Mediterranean with the Dolomites using some of Europe’s finest motorcycling roads. Rather than covering distance as quickly as possible, this route celebrates the incredible landscapes and rich history in southern France, Switzerland and northern Italy. From vineyards and Roman monuments – such as the amphitheatre at Arles – to dramatic gorges and soaring Alpine passes, including the iconic Stelvio, every day offers memorable riding on flowing secondary roads. Other points of interest include the coastlines of Camargue in France, the purple fields of the Musée de la Lavande in Digne-les-Bains, linking up to Route Napoleon and admiring the ridges of Mont Blanc, which straddles the French-Italian border in the Alps.

This is a step by step release, so you can plan ahead for 2027. Look out for the next reveal, coming soon!

Stage 3: Alpine Run

Days: four
Terrain: mountainous, countryside, coastal
Distance: approximately 1,000km
Countries visited: Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia

This section journeys through four countries, beginning among the vineyards and peaks of South Tyrol, then crossing the heart of the Alps and running the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road, before descending through Slovenia’s Julian Alps to the emerald waters of Lake Bled and the Adriatic coast, then turning inland towards Croatia’s capital. Every day offers a different experience, from dramatic mountain passes and sweeping bends to coastal roads overlooking hundreds of islands. Don’t miss the idyllic Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, which has everything from quiet valleys and fragrant forests to gushing waterfalls and snow-capped peaks; Faak am See, the home of European Bike Week^®; the towering figure of Ljubljana Castle, which sits high above the rest of the city; or the impressive towers of Zagreb Cathedral – a monumental example of Gothic architecture and one of the tallest churches in the world!

This is a step by step release, so you can plan ahead for 2027. Look out for the next reveal, coming soon!

Stage 4: Transylvania Trail

Days: three
Terrain: hilly, mountainous
Distance: approximately 1,200km
Countries visited: Croatia, Hungary and Romania

This stage is characterised by variety, both in terrain and things to see and explore. Departing Croatia, the route dips between broad valleys and rolling hillscapes across southern Hungary, before entering the mountains of Romania and descending to finish in Bucharest. Look out for the waters of the Danube below as you cross the Türr István Bridge and admire the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Arad. There are some legendary roads to enjoy along the way, including the Transalpina and Transfăgărășan pass over the peaks of Romania. Bran Castle, widely associated with Dracula, lies just to the north and is a worthwhile detour, before arriving in the cultural hub of the capital city. Bucharest is packed with attractions, including the Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, where you can wonder at the only intact Deinotherium gigantissimum (an extinct elephant-like creature) in the world!

This is a step by step release, so you can plan ahead for 2027. Look out for the next reveal, coming soon!

Stage 5: Ride of the Gods

Days: four
Terrain: mountainous, coastal
Distance: approximately 1,300km
Countries visited: Romania, Bulgaria and Greece

For the final leg of this incredible journey, prepare to ride the length of Bulgaria from north to south, then all the way down through Greece to Athens. The route through Bulgaria is characterised by undulating terrain and picturesque taverns that make ideal stops for refreshments and regional cuisine. The eastern Rhodope mountain range signifies the national border and promises peaceful riding through natural landscapes that remain wild and unspoilt. Each turn on this stretch will bring new pieces of history into view, with the remnants of multiple ancient cities and monuments nearby, including Perperikon, the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, the Bridge of Polyanthos and the Lion of Amphipolis. There is plenty of scope to visit other attractions along the way, including Delphi and Meteora, or even Mount Olympus, home of the ancient gods. Athens itself has no shortage of activities, from ancient ruins to sun-soaked coasts. It’s the perfect destination for unwinding after the adventure of a lifetime.

This is a step by step release, so you can plan ahead for 2027. Look out for the next reveal, coming soon!

See the route on the Harley-Davidson Route Planner and download GPX files. Note: The route/GPX is based on the core recommended riding route between locations. It does not include detours to scenic points of interest off the main route, fuel or food stops or other variations including recommended faster routes or easier routes. Some of the routes will start or end at a Harley-Davidson dealership or other landmark. Please use a satnav or map to navigate to and from specific locations such as your hotel or a point of interest. Ride Europe contains routes via some of the most scenic but also twisty roads on the continent – and sometimes these roads may be closed due to adverse weather or avalanches etc. Always plan ahead, check the routes for local traffic restrictions and ride to your level of ability. Even if you are in a group, you can always let experienced riders take the most difficult route and plan to meet ahead at another location to create a more enjoyable, and safer experience.   

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