1. Pacific Coast Highway, California coast, US
656 miles
Hugging more than 650 miles of California’s rugged Pacific coastline, the legendary Pacific Coast Highway – California State Route 1 – boasts stunning ocean and mountain views. Running from Orange County in the south to Mendocino County in northern California, some of the most dramatic scenery can be found along the state’s Central Coast; highlights include Carmel-by-the-Sea, the small artists’ enclave on the Monterey Peninsula, where Clint Eastwood once was mayor, and Big Sur, a rocky stretch of coastline featuring tight curves, towering redwoods and craggy cliffs battered by crashing waves.

2. Route 66 – Chicago to California through eight states, US
2,448 miles
Route 66 – America’s legendary ‘Mother Road’ – is celebrated in pop culture, embodying the hopes and dreams of generations of Americans. Running over 2,400 miles through eight states, US Route 66 was established in 1926 from a cobbled-together network of state and local roads, many unpaved. The roadway underwent various realignments over the years before being officially decommissioned in 1985. Although the arrival of interstate highways effectively sounded the death knell for Route 66 as a primary cross-country route, many of its motels, cafes and kitschy neon-bedecked tourist traps still welcome nostalgic travellers, providing a true slice of a vanishing America, as well as a bucket-list road trip for motorcyclists.

3. Blue Ridge Parkway/Skyline Drive – from North Carolina to Virginia, US
574 miles
Winding through the Appalachian Highlands along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive offer some of the most scenic riding in the eastern United States. The Blue Ridge Parkway – a federally protected, limited-access scenic roadway – meanders for 469 miles from Cherokee, North Carolina, to Waynesboro, Virginia, linking Great Smoky Mountains National Park at its southern terminus to Shenandoah National Park in the north. Upon entering Shenandoah National Park, the road becomes Skyline Drive and runs another 105 miles to Front Royal, Virginia. Stunning scenery, a plethora of scenic overlooks and gently winding roads provide an unforgettable riding experience.

4. Overseas Highway – Key Largo to Key West, Florida, US
106 miles
Nothing else in the US offers a taste of the tropics like a trip down Florida’s Overseas Highway. Island hopping over 42 bridges above the blue-green waters of the Florida Straits and Gulf of Mexico, US Route 1 terminates at Mile 0 in Key West, a city that revels in its reputation as the quirky ‘Conch Republic’. There you can visit the Florida home of Ernest Hemingway and have a drink at Sloppy Joe’s Bar or Capt. Tony’s Saloon, both of which claim to have been Hem’s favourite watering hole during his time there.

5. Grand Tour of Switzerland
1,021 miles
Can’t decide where to visit in stunning Switzerland? With the Grand Tour there’s no need to pick just one area – you’ll see all the main highlights, covering approximately seven days. With 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, five Alpine passes and no fewer than 45 attractions to take in along the way, you’ll be spoiled by the delights on offer.

The route can be completed in either direction, but clockwise is recommended for ease of access. To avoid the risk of passes being blocked by snow, it’s best to carry out the tour during the summer season, from April to October. If you don’t have time to complete the entire route, you can just tick off a couple of stages, focusing on the sights you most want to see.

6. Highlands Loop, Ontario, Canada
621 miles
Touring Ontario’s Highlands can feel like you’re travelling back in time because of the historical architecture, traditions and pace of life. The Highlands is rich with roadside attractions and easy-access lookouts. Original road builders handcrafted the ultimate motorcycle playground with roads that hug the terrain and include few straight sections. Riding along the curvy roads, you’ll spot dense rock formations, interesting vegetation and many, many lakes. Despite the total distance of approximately 621 miles, it’s recommended to take three full days for the circle route. You can start from either Toronto or Ottawa, although accessing the ride from Ottawa is quicker. If your starting point is Toronto, getting out of the city will likely be the only stressful and challenging part of the trip.

7. Nullarbor Plain, Australia
746 miles
You’ll need to plan carefully to tick this particular 746-mile jaunt along the Eyre Highway off your bucket list; plus, your mileage will likely double once you have got to and from the remote start and end points of Ceduna and Norseman. Aim for a maximum of 400 to 435 miles per day and be sure to top up your tank at every opportunity – fuel stops can be scarce, and missing a service station is not a risk worth taking. The lack of reception will render your phone useless so be sure to pack a physical map; however, navigation shouldn’t be too problematic given that it’s pretty much one road all the way. In fact, the 90-mile stretch from Caiguna to Balladonia is totally devoid of corners. This is no ordinary road trip – it’s an epic adventure you’ll never forget.

8. Lake Baikal and Olkhon Island, Russia
191 miles
This trip starts in the very heart of Siberia in Irkutsk. Ahead you’ll find a fascinating route. First the road sweeps through seemingly endless steppes, then through densely forested hills where the road soars into the sky then rapidly descends. When the walls of forest part at last, you’ll feel the cold breath of the great Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route leads to the sloping shore where you can gaze into the distance and can’t help but be bewitched by views of the lake. From there, you can cross to the exquisitely beautiful island of Baikal-Olkhon – known as a spiritual epicentre for Buddhism and Shamanism – or just enjoy the views from the coastline beaches.

9. Oman: tour from Muscat
1,669 miles
Oman offers spectacular riding, the likes of which you’ll experience nowhere else in the world. From empty deserts to huge mountain ranges, remote villages to endless sandy beaches, it can all be found here, and riding a Harley-Davidson^® motorcycle is one of the best ways to experience the wonders and rich heritage of the country.

Starting in the city of Muscat, the ride winds through vast, open spaces and green oases, the terrain shifting from mountain to desert. Make your way to the coastal city of Duqm, then onward south to Salalah – itself a spectacular ride – before looping back to Muscat.

The route takes you close to the awe-inspiring Rub’ al Khali, or ‘Empty Quarter’, the largest contiguous sand desert in the world, which encompasses most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula and has appeared in films such as Star Wars thanks to its otherworldly atmosphere.

10. Bay of Islands, New Zealand
573 miles
This long but memorable ride steeped in Kiwi history and Māori culture begins in Auckland, where you’ll head across the Harbour Bridge north on Highway 1 and make the biker-friendly Puhoi Pub your first stop. Back on the highway, at Brynderwyn you’ll be presented with an epic and expansive view of Bream Bay. Whangārei is good for food and fuel before the run into Opua to grab the ferry over to Russell and the glorious Bay of Islands. Take the ferry back and continue up the coast to Awanui before making the run up to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand. Track down the west coast and the dune-lined lagoon at Ōpononi before winding through the ancient Waipoua Forest – home to a 2,000-year-old kauri tree! At Dargaville, cut across to Brynderwyn and rejoin the highway back to Auckland.