Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Off-Road Europe Off-Road Europe
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Apr 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: san francisco, ca, usa
Posts: 2
Off-Road Europe
Hi,
I may have asked this in a roundabout way somewhere else on this board, but I thought it would be good to get off-road info on Europe all in one place.

We will be taking a 6-month tour through much of Europe, including the east, Turkey, and Morocco. There is plenty of info on road riding and off-road in Africa, but we're interested in the legality and specific riding areas in Europe. (How about some local racing organizations too? Might be nice to enter a low-key Enduro. Do you have Hare Scrambles in Europe?)

Freek, thanks for your useful postings. Don't ever let anyone tell you the Adventure is a road bike. I love mine off-road!

fun fun
Charlie
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Apr 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Balkbrug Netherlands
Posts: 185
Thank,

I won't turn your off-road enthousiasme down, but in western Europe the (legal) off-road possibillities are poor. Especialy in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switserland and Belgium.
I can guide you in the east off the Netherlands for some dirt roads, but don't expect to much.

If you 'do' the Netherlands, you can stay in my log-cabin for free.

Freek
__________________
Freek (NL)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Apr 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Balkbrug Netherlands
Posts: 185
I've also 101 roadbooks through Spain.
And I have detailed maps from Piemonte (Italy). I've been there last september. You can go 3000m alt. there by motorcycle.

Freek
__________________
Freek (NL)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Apr 2002
mmaarten's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Thailand at the moment
Posts: 593
Hi,

Best place to go for (legal) off road in Western europe is France, Spain and Italy.
Like Freek said, the rest is not worth while for serious off road. To much rules and regulations.
But the three I mentioned make up for this.

Maarten

------------------
- www.maartensworld.tmfweb.nl -
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 15 Apr 2002
geokobbi's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Posts: 98
Off-road Europe. What about the east? It would be interesting to hear from someone with information on Romania, Hungary, Chezk and Slovak-republic plus other eastern-europe countries. I know that enduro is big in Sweeden, and Norway is great for mountain-climbing endurofans.

I have heard about competions in Romania called Enduromania (www.enduromania.net). So off-roading there must be good.

Next year I will myself drive down Eastern-Europe on my way to Africa, so all information is appreciated.

Jakob
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 95
I have met several people who have gone to Western Romania for dirt riding . There is some private land for recreational use .

Perhaps a little digging will yield more info.

El P.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 21 Apr 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 99


Hi Charlie
Good topic starter, I hope a lot of info comes your way.
You dont mention the UK but these are the people to get in touch with. The Trail Riders Fellowship. Just pick an area you want to ride in and phone them up. They will probably take you out with them on their Sunday rides or make sure you have the correct maps and routes to keep you legal. ( as you will see they usually meet in pubs which is the sign of a good group in my eyes)
www.trf.org.uk
Another good site is www.brianeland.com/ with a bit of info on the events in the UK and on the continent.
Have a good old dirty trip
andy
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Apr 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Belgium
Posts: 469
Since I am only 2 hours away from France I would like to know what is allowed concerning off roading in France and what not. Who can be contacted, where to find maps? All info is welcom.
I live in Belgium, and as said before... legally they are really cracking down on enduro riding and off roading. ..
France would be great to go and have some practice from time to time.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 22 Apr 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Zaandam, Holland
Posts: 15
Here are some sites of organisations that do offroad tours in Europe (mostly Eastern)

http://www.endurofunten.de/
(i hope you speak German)

http://www.enduromania.net/
In Romania

http://www.roadbooktouren.de/

http://schalber-events.de/
The AltaTuria (Spanisch Pyrinees) has allready started but the Transdanubiaride (Germany to Romania) is in august.

Succes
Jeroen

Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Aug 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Meinerzhagen, NRW, Germany
Posts: 67
Germany is almost a nogo for offroad...

As far as I know there are a few not-paved tracks in every area, but the best bet would be to absolutely avoid the overpopulated areas such as Berlin, Hamburg, the Ruhr Valley and Munich and the greater outskirts (some few 50ks out) - if you are happy with some gravel road you might be lucky to find a sign telling you, that there's a city or village in that direction - go there and there's a good chance no one will stop you - if there's no sign - there's a good chance it's illegal!
However - where there's no one to get you caught - nothing will happen.
There might me some tracks in the alps!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Aug 2002
Contributing Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: peak district, uk
Posts: 18
Hi,
Chris from Romania may be a useful contact. Just set up his own tour buisness

http://tmtours.freeservers.com/

I am off to eastern europe on sept8th for 6 weeks - will post info on my return

Gavin
__________________
Gavin Bell
\'first time abroad on the bike and your going where..!\'
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 25 Sep 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Padova Italy
Posts: 130
As said before,in Spain , France and Italy is still possible (not everywhere) to make offroad (better : dirt roads & not paved) routes , bad thing is that are in general short (eg. 5 to 50 kms) good thing is that in general are in the most scenic places :-)
better to ask to the "locals" (even in english..)
for france try the fr.rec.moto newsgroup , but long the alpine border to Italy there is a network of ex-military dirt roads still free to ride (tunnel et col du parpaillon, between Guillestre & Barcelonette, Briançon and its surroundings) balanced on the Italian part of a similar one..(Jafferau, Sestrieres-Assietta-Colle Finestre)

For Spain try es.charla.moteros newsgroup , for Italy ...feel free to ask me :-) Alps & Dolomites are a real must , with southern Italy, Sicily & Sardinia still "free ride" countries
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 3 Feb 2003
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: basque country
Posts: 1
Hi, in Spain I could recomend you the "Transpirenaica".

I did it last summer and was very good experience.
It is a Off-Road trip from Cadaques(Mediterranean) to Hondarribia (Atlantic).

I think that were around 800 kilometres off-road following a bycicle guide. Some areas are difficult to pass some are paved.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:04.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top