The best motorcycle roads in Sardinia and Sicily

Italy's two big islands are a long way from the Alps, and that's the point. Warm spring weather when the passes are still under snow, empty mountain roads, and the sea never more than an hour away.

At a glance

SS125 Orientale Sarda

The SS125 runs down the east side of Sardinia, and the stretch between Dorgali and Baunei is the one riders cross the sea for. It climbs into the limestone Supramonte, over the Genna 'e Silana pass, then winds south through empty hills with the Gulf of Orosei somewhere off to your left. Long, flowing, well-surfaced bends, and very little traffic.

Tips: carry on south towards Tortolì and Lanusei, or north to Orosei and the coast. The Gorropu gorge, one of the deepest in Europe, is a hike from the road near the pass. Watch for goats and cattle on the road, and for wind on the open sections.

Bosa to Alghero

On the west coast, the road between Bosa and Alghero follows the cliffs high above the sea, with long sweepers and almost no villages between. Start in Bosa, with its coloured houses along the river, and finish in Alghero for dinner.

Tips: ride it towards Alghero in the late afternoon for the light, and expect wind on the exposed sections.

Mount Etna

Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe outside the Caucasus, and two roads climb high on its slopes. From Nicolosi on the south side, the road climbs through old lava flows to Rifugio Sapienza, the base for the cable car. On the north side, the road from Linguaglossa climbs through pine forest to Piano Provenzana. The Mareneve road links the north and east sides through woods and lava fields.

Tips: it gets cold quickly as you climb, even in summer. Bring a layer. The volcanic grit on the road can be slippery. Eruptions sometimes close roads or cover them in ash, so check the current situation before you go.

The Madonie mountains

Behind Cefalù on the north coast, the Madonie rise steeply into a natural park of hill towns and beech forest. Ride up to Castelbuono, on to Petralia Soprana and Petralia Sottana, and over to Piano Battaglia, a small ski area high in the park. The roads are narrow, twisty and quiet, with views back down to the sea.

Tips: the surface varies a lot in the interior of Sicily. Ride at a pace that lets you see the potholes in time.

Good to know

• Getting there. Ferries to Sardinia run from mainland ports like Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia. Sicily is a short ferry across the Strait of Messina from Villa San Giovanni, or a longer one from Genoa, Naples and other ports.
• Tolls. Sardinia's main roads are toll-free. Some Sicilian motorways have tolls. Check the current rules for your route.
• Road surfaces on minor roads can be rough, with gravel and potholes after rain.
• Animals. Goats, sheep and cattle on the road are common in the Sardinian interior.
• Fuel is sparse inland. Fill up before the mountains, and check opening hours on Sundays.
• Heat. July and August are very hot and the coast is busy. Ride early and rest at midday.

Season

April to June and September to October are the best months: warm, green in spring, and quiet. Both islands can be ridden in winter on the coast, but the mountains of Etna and the Madonie can have snow, and the high roads close.

Ride them with others

Crossing the sea? Join the city chat where you're landing to ask about roads, find group rides on the islands in MotoBFF, or use Find me a route for a loop from your hotel. For the mainland, see the best motorcycle roads in Italy.