The Majestic Alps Grand motorcycle tour

Welcome Riders!

Book now and get one free night to use before the starting date of the tour and one free night at the end of the tour!

The real challenge for every avid rider: narrow roads, broad ones, even unpaved ones if you know where to look. Towering peaks and shady gorges, relaxed runs down scenic valleys and steep climbs beside dizzying drops. Whatever you need in terms of riding and scenery is here.

The Majestic Alps Grand Tour is the ultimate riding experience: two weeks of breathtaking Alpine landscapes and twisty mountain roads, lakes, forests and the highest European paved passes. Everything you may desire!

Start planning and preparing now to challenge more than 45 Mountain Passes in 14 thrilling riding days! This is a motorcycle tour you will not only remember, but will think about often for a very very long time.

The tour starts and ends in Milano.

Highlights

Where We Ride – What We See – What We Hear

• Day 01

  Day1 - Welcome to Milano

  Travelling from the airport by private car you will find your Hear The Road host waiting for you at the hotel to give you a heartfelt welcome to Italy.

  Late morning/early afternoon arrival is advised.

  Once you’ve dropped off your luggage in your hotel room and had a refreshing shower, you’ll be ready to join us in the hotel bar for a “Meet and Greet” with your tour partners. We’ll then be ready to go get the bikes so we can bring them back to the hotel garage.

  On getting back to the hotel your tour guide will give a general briefing of the tour and happily answer all your questions.

  Finally we’ll go off to enjoy our great “Welcome Dinner”, where you’ll discover more about what to expect over the next exciting week.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN MILANO.

  Highlights:

  Meet your motorcycle, meet your guide, meet your fellow riders, welcome dinner.

• Day 02

  Day2 - Milano to Bormio

  299 Km / 186 miles

  Let the adventure begin! After breakfast, we leave Milano heading north.

  We stop in San Pellegrino Terme for our first Italian espresso on the road and then we challenge our first Alpine pass of the trip, The San Marco Pass, that take us to Morbegno.

  After lunch we enter the Engadina, a Swiss Region of the Alps.

  Maloja Pass and Bernina Pass in Switzerland, Forcola di Livigno, Eira Pass and Foscagno Pass in Italy is our exciting route to Bormio, where we spend the next 2 nights.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN BORMIO.

  Highlights:

  San Pellegrino Terme, San Marco Pass Maloja Pass, Saint Moritz, Bernina Pass, Forcola di Livigno, Eira Pass, Foscagno Pass, Bormio

• Day 03

  Day3 - Stelvio National Park Loop

  220 Km / 137 miles

  Today is the day that many motorcyclists dream about their whole life. Yes, today we are going to conquer the Stelvio Pass! Summit: 2.757 Mt. / 9,100 Ft.

  However, when you’re in the heart of the Alps it is impossible not to challenge all the passes that the mountains offer us. So here we are, ready to ride also the Umbrial, Ofen and Resia Passes.

  So, at the end of the day we made a stunning loop that will allow us to tackle the Stelvio from both sides: in the morning we climb up from Bormio and in the afternoon from Trafoi where we take the 48 mythical hairpins to reach the summit!

  It is very much like a giant roller coaster road that will take your breath away!
  OVERNIGHT IS IN BORMIO.

  Highlights:

  Stelvio Pass from Bormio, Umbrial Pass, Ofenpass, Resia Pass, Stelvio Pass from Trafoi.

• Day 04

  Day4 - Bormio to Canazei

  235 Km / 147 miles

  We start the day challenging the Gavia Pass…which is probably the toughest pass of the tour!
  As we are on the top of the Gavia we stop for a short break and then we will be ready to continue our ride. Back on the bikes we plunge into Ponte di Legno where we join the SS42.

  Before lunch we ride the Tonale and the Mendola Passes.

  And the day is not yet finished! On the way to Canazei we tackle the Lavazè and Costolunga Passes!
  OVERNIGHT IS IN CANAZEI.

  Highlights:

  Gavia Pass, Tonale Pass, Mendola Pass, Lavazè Pass, Lake Carezza, Costalunga Pass

• Day 05

  Day5 - Dolomites Loop

  239 Km / 149 miles

  Next up… The incomparable Dolomites! Spectacular landscapes, roads, mountain passes, and beautiful tiny villages!

  It will be a whole day of up and down the roads and passes of the Dolomites. Sella, Gardena, Furcia, Monte Croce, Tre Croci, Giau, and Fedaia, these are extraordinary mountain passes that we’ll take on, one after the other, till the end of the day.
  Mamma mia… What a day it will be!
  OVERNIGHT IS IN CANAZEI.

  Highlights:

  Sella Pass, Gardena Pass, Furcia Pass, Monte Croce Pass, Lake Misurina, Tre Croci Pass, Cortina D’Ampezzo, Giau Pass, Fedaia Pass.

• Day 06

  Day6 - Canazei to Limone sul Garda

  256 Km / 160 miles

  We say goodbye to the Dolomites and heading south we tackle the San Pellegrino, Valles and Rolle Passes and then through the marvelous Pale di San Martino, we reach the beautiful mountain village of San Martino di Castrozza.

  Back on the bike we reach Marostica, a village so famous for its living chess event which is held in the main square of the town.

  After lunch we ride the less-known dramatic road of Pian delle Fugazze, before arriving at Lake Garda.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN LIMONE SUL GARDA.

  Highlights:

  San Pellegrino Pass, Valles Pass, Rolle Pass, San Martino di Castrozza, Pian delle Fugazze, Limone sul Garda.

• Day 07

  Day7 - Lake Garda Loop

  Today we fall in love with the colors and the fragrances of the Lake Garda.

  A day of pure pleasure: we ride the scenic roads of Monte Baldo with breathtaking vista on the lake, then we take the ferry for a 20’ crossing of the lake from Garda to Toscolano Maderno, then we have lunch on a beautiful terrace facing the lake, then we challenge the narrow Strada della Forra (The Gorge’s road) to Tremosine! What else?
  OVERNIGHT IS IN LIMONE SUL GARDA.

  Highlights:

  Monte Baldo, Lake Garda, Toscolano Maderno, La Strada della Forra, Limone sul Garda.

• Day 08

  Day8 - Limone sul Garda to Milano

  202 Km / 126 miles

  Today we finish the East Side of the Alpine Region in style! From Lake Garda to lake Ledro, then to Lake Idro then to Lake Iseo. It’s our Lakes route that will approach us a Milano.

  At Palazzolo sull’Oglio we will join the highway that take us back to Milano.

  After we arrive back at the hotel in time to freshen up before our fabulous dinner together celebrating this first part of our wonderful Italian motorcycle experience.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN MILANO.

  Highlights:

  Lake Garda, Lake Ledro, Lake Idro, Lake Iseo.

• Day 09

  Day9 - Free day in Milano

  Today we will rest after the first part of the Grand Tour.

  You will have the chance to visit Milano, the world fashion capital, within its unique stylish atmosphere.

  In the afternoon your tour guide will give a general briefing of the second part of the tour and happily answer all your questions.

  Finally we’ll go off to enjoy another great authentic Italian dinner, where you’ll discover more about what to expect over the next exciting week.

  Highlights:

  Milano.

• Day 10

  Day10 - Milano to Limone Piemonte

  318 Km / 198 miles

  Let’s hear the road again! After a delightful breakfast, we leave Milano heading southwest.

  We will start riding for a few miles through the Pianura Padana, land of Grana Padano and Prosciutto di Parma, and afterwards we will reach the stunning twisty roads of Monferrato and Roero, surrounded by the most precious Italian vineyards of Nebbiolo, Barolo and Barbaresco.

  After a quick lunch in one of the most typical family-owned restaurants, we will hit the road again riding through the Langhe vineyards sweeping roads.

  In the afternoon we will reach our final destination Limone Piemonte, one of the oldest ski resorts in Italy, located at the base of Alps Marittime, where our Alps roller-coaster will start the next day.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN LIMONE PIEMONTE.

  Highlights:

  Pianura Padana, Langhe, Nebbiolo vineyards, Barolo, Cuneo, Limone Piemonte.

• Day 11

  Day11 - Limone Piemonte to Pont de L'Artuby

  243 Km / 151 miles

  Today we start the Alps roller-coaster!

  After a rich breakfast, we leave Limone Piemonte heading the French border through Col di Tenda, a high mountain pass, who separates the Maritime Alps from the Ligurian Alps and connects Nice and Tenda with Cuneo in Piedmont.

  We will start riding the stunning twisty Alpine Roads through Sospel and Col de Turini, where we will have a quick lunch.

  In the afternoon we will hit the road again, riding through the Pre-Alps evergreen forests towards Pont de l’Artuby, where we will spend a relaxing night by the Verdon Gorges.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN PONT DE L’ARTUBY.

  Highlights:

  Col di Tenda, Sospel, Moulinet, Col de Turini, Pre-Alps forests, Pont de l’Artuby.

• Day 12

  Day12 - Pont de L'Artuby to Sambuco

  237 Km / 148 miles

  Today we start riding the Alps of High Provence in France and we head back to Italy in the afternoon!

  After breakfast, we leave Pont de l’Artuby towards the National Park du Verdon: we will pass through the stunning Lake Sainte-Croix, heading the famous European biggest river canyon called Gorges du Verdòn; after an amazing ride through the forests, we will head to Robione, where we will have a quick lunch.

  In the afternoon we will be riding the French and Italian roller-coaster roads: we will cross the border back to Italy through Colle della Lombarda, a high mountain pass (2,350 meters) above the ski resort of Isola 2000, riding through breathtaking landscapes.

  On the way to Sambuco, where we will spend a relaxing night, we will have the chance to stop by the stunning Lake Sant’Anna.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN SAMBUCO.

  Highlights:

  Lake Sainte-Croix, Gorges du Verdòn, National Park du Verdon, Castellane, Lac de Castillon, Robione, Parc National Mercantour, Colle della Lombarda, Lake Sant’Anna.

• Day 13

  Day13 - Sambuco to Salice d'Ulzio

  225 Km / 140 miles

  Today we start another amazing day, riding through the mountains’ pine forests: leaving Sambuco we will start to cross Colle Valcavera and Colle Sibolet, two amazing Alps passes surrounded by pristine greenery.

  After a breathtaking series of challenging hairpins, we will be riding through the rich and unspoiled natural environment of Parco Naturale Pesaveno.

  We will keep riding the Colle di Sampeyre, a mountain pass in the province of Cuneo connecting the Varaita Valley and the Maira Valley, skirting the Lake Castello and the stunning Monviso, the highest mountain of the Cottian Alps.

  After a quick lunch in Colle Dell’Agnello (the third highest paved road pass of the Alps, 2,783 meters), we will cross the French border again, heading Col d’Izoard, famous for its protruding pinnacles of weathered rock.

  In the late afternoon we will cross again the border back to Italy through the enchanting Monginevro Pass, heading to Salice d’Ulzio, where we will spend a restorative night.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN SALICE D’ULZIO.

  Highlights:

  Colle Valcavera, Colle Sibolet, Parco Naturale Pesaveno, Colle di Sampeyre, Lago di Castello, Monviso, Colle dell’Agnello, Col d’Izoard, Monginevro, Salice d’Ulzio.

• Day 14

  Day14 - Salice d'Ulzio to Courmayeur

  188 Km / 117 miles

  Even today we will be crossing the Italian-French border twice.

  Our ride will start from Salice d’Ulzio, we will then be skirting the breathtaking Lake Orfù and the Exilles Fort (7th century fortified complex dominating the Susa Valley), heading through challenging twisty roads to Colle del Moncenisio (massif of 3,612 meters), which forms the limit between the Cottian and Graian Alps.

  We will continue riding the stunning road of the Lake Moncenisio up to Colle dell’Iseran, the highest paved pass in the Alps, where we will stop for lunch.

  Afterwards we will ride through the famous Val d’Isere, cross the border again riding the Colle del Piccolo San Beranrdo in order to finally reach Courmayeur, where we will have the chance to visit the Monte Bianco, the highest mountain in Europe rising 4,807 meters: much more than a cableway to reach 3,466 meters; an unforgettable experience on top of Europe!
  OVERNIGHT IS IN COURMAYEUR.

  Highlights:

  Salice d’Ulzio, Lake Orfù, Exilles Fort, Colle del Moncenisio, Lake Moncenisio, Colle dell’Iseran, Val d’Isere, Lake Chevrìl, Colle del Piccolo San Bernardo, La Thuile, Courmayeur, Monte Bianco.

• Day 15

  Day15 - Courmayeur to Verbania

  297 Km / 185 miles

  We say goodbye to Courmayeur and start to ride through the Aosta Valley, the Alpine valley which, with its tributary valleys, includes the Italian slopes of Monte Bianco, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the Matterhorn.

  Through the breathtaking roads of Colle del Gran San Bernardo, skirting the Lake Gran San Bernardo, we will head to Switzerland where we will have the chance to experience the monumental Alps massif from the Northern side.

  Afterwards we will ride through the Switzerland pristine greenery and after lunch we will cross the border back to Italy again through the Sempione Pass, heading to Verbania on Lake Maggiore, where we will have a deserved Italian dinner and spend a relaxing night.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN VERBANIA.

  Highlights:

  Courmayeur, Aosta, Colle del Gran San Bernardo, Switzerland, Lake Gran San Bernardo, Lake des Toules, Martigny, Passo del Sempione.

• Day 16

  Day16 - Verbania to Milano

  172 Km / 107 miles

  Today we finish in style!

  We will start skirting Lake Maggiore on its Northern side on the way to Milano through several national parks: Parco delle Cinque Vette, Parco Campo dei Fiori, Parco della Pineta di Appiano. We will be surrounded by pristine greenery and breathtaking landscapes.

  We will afterwards join the highway that take us back to Milano.
  After returning the bikes, we arrive back at the hotel in time to freshen up before our final fabulous dinner together celebrating this wonderful Italian motorcycle experience.
  OVERNIGHT IS IN MILANO.

  Highlights:

  Lake Maggiore, Parco delle Cinque Vette, Parco Campo dei Fiori, Parco della Pineta di Appiano, Milano.

• Day 17

  Day17 - Departure day

  Time for our “Arrivederci”: good-bye new friends! Collect your souvenirs, pack your cameras, and close your bags. One last breakfast, and it will be time to be transferred to the airport.

  Highlights:

  Transfer to the airport.

Included, excluded & terms

• What is included?

  • motorcycle rental with side cases, top case, locks and alarm. (For rented bikes a deposit for damage theft and fire, between 1.500 and 3.000 euros is required depending on the chosen model).
    WHAT IS THE DAMAGE SECURITY DEPOSIT? Each motorcycle has a damage deposit. This amount will be frozen on your credit card, but not cashed. The deposit is your maximum liability for theft or damage to the vehicle. Please ensure that you have enough funds to cover the damage deposit on your cards.
  • the bike rental prices include costs for public-liability insurance and insurance for any road assistance in case of break-down.
  • welcome and farewell dinners in Milan.
  • transfer from and to the airport.
  • accomodation: 4 nights including breakfast in 4-star hotel in Milan, and 12 nights including breakfast in 3 or 4-star hotels in the towns where we will stop during the tour.
  • Italian tour leader.
  • courtesy van to pick up and leave the bikes.
  • support van. The van will be carrying a tool-kit for small repairs. You’ll be able to leave your cases (1 suitcase + 1 handbag per person) in the van, as well as any souvenirs you pick up along the way. The van also has a couple of seats that passengers might like to use if they feel they need a little rest from the bikes!
  • a detailed Road-book with all the information you’ll need; a map with the route well marked; the “Wordless Travel Book”, and a Hear the Road T-shirt.
  • insurance covering most any medical issue during the trip including, doctors, ambulance, hospital and any appropriate family travel.

• What is not included?

  • fuel for your motorcycle.
  • tolls on motorways.
  • entrance fees to museums or other sites.
  • gratuities and tips.
  • all meals and beverages, except for the welcome and farewell dinners in Milan.
  • flights to and from Milan.

  We also suggest that anyone traveling abroad for one of our Tours consider purchasing a “Travel Insurance”. It can take the worry out of the unexpected situations that can arise in any travel plan.

• Terms of payment

  • €800 Deposit, to be paid, on reserving a place on the tour.
    (The deposit is totally refundable in case we don’t reach the minimum number of participants).
  • Balance, to be paid, 60 days before the starting date when you get confirmation from HEAR THE ROAD.

• In case of cancellation

  If you decide to cancel the tour for whatever reason that does not depend on HEAR THE ROAD, these are the penalties that will incur:

  • up to 60 days prior to the starting date, HTR holds the deposit, that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
  • between 59 and 10 days prior to the starting date you lose the deposit. HTR holds the balance that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.
  • from 9 days prior to the starting date you lose 50% of the total amount. HTR holds the remaining 50% that you can use for another tour in the same or in the following year.

Testimonials

Dave & Kathy S.

recommended Hear the Road

Our tour guide, Enrico Grassi, was born and raised in Rome. He was always sharing his knowledge of his country and teaching us a few words of the Italian language along the way. He is as Italian as they come and had a sense of humor that kept us all laughing! This was a great group of guys to travel with. They were from all over the world....Singapore, Ukraine (now living in Connecticut), Kuwait, California, and North Carolina. Split lane riding along with the hairpin turns required a lot of espresso's and Dave's many years of experience driving. Our BMW we rented was wonderful. Roads of cobblestone and so narrow made this the thrill of riding like we've never experienced! Italian food & wine at beautiful inns and restaurants along the back roads of Italy from Rome to Switzerland and back was a continuous party in our mouths!

Ken G.

recommended Hear the Road

Terrific overnight accommodation, great roads, lots of camaraderie with fellow riders and fantastic food each day.” I didn’t know what to expect since this was my first guided tour. It turned out to be a no hassle experience. The chase van carrying luggage and Enrico took care of all the details.

Tom S.

recommended Hear the Road

From the pick up at the airport until the very end of the 10-day ride I was impressed with the organization of the whole experience. The bikes were modern and in very good condition, including tyres. Accommodation was perfect at motorcycle friendly comfortable hotels. The route was well thought out which included two night stays at a couple of places to take advantage of the local roads so a out and back loop could be accomplished in a day, awesome. Our guide Giovanni who was easy going and knowledgeable on all things Italian especially food, wine and coffee – a most important part of riding in Italy! The scenery was spectacular, roads amazing and my bike was Italian. Molto Bene! Overall a great experience, I have already booked the Tuscany, Corsica and Sardinia ride with Hear the Road for May 2019. P.S.I'm the one in the middle...

Gallery

Previous Next

Video

Creation of the tour: Associazione Culturale Hear The Road.
Organization and marketing: Hear The Road srl.