They don't call it "God's Own County" for nothing. Yorkshire and the Humber is home to some of the most varied, breathtaking, and downright thrilling motorcycling roads in the entire United Kingdom. Whether you are navigating the limestone gorges of the Yorkshire Dales, carving through the purple heather of the North York Moors, or cruising the gentle, rolling hills of the Wolds, this region has something for every type of rider.
If you're looking to escape the city and get some serious lean angle this weekend, you are in the right place. The team at WeBuyAnyBike247.com has put together a list of the absolute best motorcycle routes in Yorkshire and the Humber for the 2026 riding season. Fire up the engine, and let's get rolling.
1. The Spectacular Buttertubs Pass (Hawes to Thwaite)
Vibe: Dramatic drops, famous scenery, tight and technical
We're starting with a world-famous classic. Described by Jeremy Clarkson as "England's only truly spectacular road," Buttertubs Pass is a must-ride. Connecting the market town of Hawes to the tiny village of Thwaite in the Yorkshire Dales, this high-level route weaves its way over the fells.
The road features steep climbs, rapid descents, and tight, technical corners that skirt along the edge of dramatic, steep drops. It takes its name from the "Buttertubs"—a series of 20-meter-deep limestone potholes near the summit where farmers used to rest their butter on the way to market. The tarmac is generally good, but keep your eyes peeled for wandering sheep and cyclists tackling the grueling climbs.
2. The North York Moors Sweeper (A169 Pickering to Whitby)
Vibe: Fast, open moorland, coastal finish
If you prefer sweeping, open roads with incredible visibility over tight, blind hairpins, the A169 is your dream route. Cutting straight through the heart of the North York Moors National Park, this road offers miles of smooth, fast, and flowing tarmac.
The scenery here is vast and awe-inspiring, especially when the heather blooms purple in late summer. You'll pass the famous Fylingdales early-warning radar station as you crest the moors, before beginning the long, sweeping descent into the historic coastal town of Whitby. It's the perfect route to end with a portion of legendary Whitby fish and chips on the harbor wall.
3. The Ribblehead Run (B6255 Ingleton to Hawes)
Vibe: Iconic landmarks, long sweeping bends, Yorkshire Dales majesty
Running right through the shadow of the imposing Yorkshire Three Peaks (Whernside, Ingleborough, and Pen-y-ghent), the B6255 is a phenomenal ribbon of road. It perfectly balances fast, open straights with beautifully cambered corners.
The absolute highlight of this route is riding past the Ribblehead Viaduct. Seeing this colossal feat of Victorian engineering emerge from the barren moorland as you sweep through the valley is a spine-tingling experience. The road surface has been recently improved in many sections, making it a joy for sports bikes and adventure tourers alike. It ends in Hawes, home to the Wensleydale Creamery and a bustling biker meeting spot at the weekends.
4. The Yorkshire Wolds Rollercoaster (A166 York to Bridlington)
Vibe: Undulating hills, massive biker cafes, relaxed cruising
Moving over to East Yorkshire, the A166 offers a completely different flavor of riding. Leaving the historic city of York, the road takes you over the Yorkshire Wolds—a beautiful landscape of chalk hills and hidden, dry valleys that David Hockney famously painted.
The road is an undulating rollercoaster of gentle curves and long, satisfying straights. Halfway along, in the village of Fridaythorpe, you'll find Seaways Cafe. This is one of the premier biker hangouts in the North of England, drawing hundreds of motorcycles on a sunny Sunday. Grab a tea, admire the sea of bikes, and then continue on to the coast at Bridlington.
5. The Holme Moss Pass (A6024)
Vibe: Steep climbs, tight hairpins, dramatic valley views
Straddling the border between West Yorkshire and the Peak District, the A6024 over Holme Moss is a spectacular alpine-style pass. Starting near Holmfirth (famous as the setting for Last of the Summer Wine), the road climbs fiercely out of the valley.
You'll tackle a series of tight, steep switchbacks that require solid clutch control and focus. At the 1,719-foot summit, marked by the massive Holme Moss transmitting station, the views back down the valley into Yorkshire are staggering. The descent down the other side towards the Woodhead Pass is just as thrilling. Wrap up warm, though—it gets incredibly windy at the top!