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Alpine passes by motorcycle: where to stay and how to plan

Riding over the Alps by motorcycle takes two things: a good route over the passes and a place to sleep afterwards. This page explains how to find both with open map data, which passes you can see in AlpRoute and what to check before you ride.

Published 8 November 2026

In short

AlpRoute is a free map of overnight stops in 51 European countries, not only the Alps despite its name. With the vehicle set to motorcycle, you can filter for motorcycle-friendly campsites and motorcycle workshops. The Stelvio, Grossglockner and Galibier are drawn bend by bend as Legendary Routes. With AlpRoute Pro you plan multi-stop tours and export them as GPX. AlpRoute does not show whether a pass is open or closed; road operators and authorities publish that. AlpRoute also does not show road conditions, snow lines or live traffic.

Who wrote this. This page is published by AlpRoute. We only describe what our app actually does. Information on roads and passes does not come from us: opening times, closures and traffic rules are announced by road operators and authorities.

Where to stay

Finding motorcycle-friendly places to stay

In AlpRoute, set the vehicle type to motorcycle. The app then does not ask for dimensions and weight, and the filter offers a motorcycle-friendly option instead of the option to show only spots that fit your vehicle.

What the filter shows: Campsites marked as motorcycle-friendly in OpenStreetMap or by their operator in AlpRoute, and motorcycle workshops and dealers. Other categories such as motorhome stopovers stay visible. Caravan, camping and outdoor shops can also be switched on in the filter categories.
What it does not show: Places without this marking can still be good for motorcycles; the marking is often simply missing from the open data. If in doubt, look at the campsite’s own website.
Workshop on the road: Motorcycle workshops and dealers appear on the map with their own icon. With AlpRoute Pro, the breakdown help search also shows nearby workshops, tyre services and fuel stations.

Passes

Which passes you can see in AlpRoute

Under Legendary Routes, selected pass roads are drawn bend by bend on the real road. Viewing is free; with AlpRoute Pro you add a route to your own. In the Alps these are currently:

Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio): Italy · about 46 km as the drawn route
Grossglockner High Alpine Road: Austria · about 51 km, highest point 2,504 m
Col du Galibier: France · about 73 km, highest point 2,642 m

Outside the Alps you will also find the Transfăgărășan (Romania), Trollstigen (Norway) and Sa Calobra (Mallorca). Lengths and heights come from the route drawn in AlpRoute, not from official road data.

Planning

Plan a tour and send it to your satnav

With AlpRoute Pro you plan a tour with several stops, such as a pass, a lunch break and an overnight stay, and have the stops put in a sensible order. You send the finished route to Google Maps or Waze, or export it as a GPX file, which most motorcycle satnavs and apps can read.

Important: for motorcycles, AlpRoute calculates the route with a normal road profile. The app does not look for twisty roads and does not avoid motorways on its own. For twisty route planning there are specialised motorcycle apps such as Kurviger or Calimoto; AlpRoute mainly complements them on the question of where to stay. You can keep editing the GPX file in such apps.

Before you ride

What to check before riding a pass

Is the pass open?: High Alpine pass roads are usually only open in the summer half of the year; the road operators set the exact dates every year, depending on the snow. Check the operator’s page or the national traffic information before you ride. AlpRoute does not show whether a pass is currently open or closed.
Tolls and vignettes: Some pass roads charge a toll, and in some countries motorcycles also need a vignette for motorways. Which rules apply is set out on the official pages of the countries and road operators.
Weather: Above 2,000 m it can be cold, wet or foggy even in summer. Plan some time in reserve and an overnight stay in the valley as a fallback.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

How do I find motorcycle-friendly campsites in the Alps?

In AlpRoute, set the vehicle profile to motorcycle and turn on the motorcycle-friendly filter. The map then shows campsites marked as motorcycle-friendly in OpenStreetMap or by their operator, and motorcycle workshops. Places without the marking can still be suitable.

Which Alpine passes are drawn in AlpRoute?

As Legendary Routes, the Stelvio Pass, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and the Col du Galibier are drawn bend by bend in the Alps. Viewing is free; with AlpRoute Pro you add them to your route.

Does AlpRoute plan twisty motorcycle routes?

No. For motorcycles, AlpRoute calculates the route with a normal road profile and does not look for twisty roads. There are specialised apps such as Kurviger or Calimoto for that. AlpRoute mainly helps with where to stay and exports your tour as GPX.

Can I transfer an AlpRoute tour to my motorcycle satnav?

Yes. With AlpRoute Pro you export the route as a GPX file or send it to Google Maps or Waze.

When are the Alpine passes open?

The road operators set this every year depending on the snow; high Alpine passes are usually only open in the summer half of the year. Check the current dates on the operator’s page before you ride.

Does AlpRoute show whether an Alpine pass is open or closed?

No. AlpRoute shows overnight stops and, with Pro, plans routes where map data contains restrictions. Pass opening times and closures are published by road operators and authorities; please check there before setting off.

Is AlpRoute free for motorcyclists?

The map with overnight stops, filters and Legendary Routes is free. AlpRoute Pro adds multi-stop tour planning, GPX export and the breakdown help search.