Motovlogging combines the thrill of motorcycle riding with the art of storytelling, and there’s no better way to showcase this than by riding some of the world’s most epic routes. From rugged mountain passes to coastal highways, these seven scenic, challenging, and culturally rich routes in India, Japan, Brazil, the USA, and beyond are must-ride destinations for any motovlogger. Each route is paired with detailed maps, key attractions, and shooting tips to help you capture jaw-dropping footage that engages your audience. Whether you’re chasing adventure, culture, or breathtaking landscapes, these routes will elevate your vlogs and leave a lasting impression.
1. Leh-Manali Highway, India
Why Ride It: This high-altitude route through the Indian Himalayas is a bucket-list adventure, blending extreme terrain, stark beauty, and Tibetan-Buddhist culture.
Distance: ~475 km (295 miles)
Duration: 2-3 days
Difficulty: Expert (high altitude, rough roads, weather changes)
Route Overview
Starting in Leh (Ladakh), the route winds through the Himalayas to Manali (Himachal Pradesh), crossing some of the world’s highest motorable passes, including Khardung La (5,359m) and Taglang La (5,328m). Expect rugged gravel roads, icy streams, and vast desert landscapes.
Map
- Start: Leh, Ladakh (34.1526°N, 77.5771°E)
- End: Manali, Himachal Pradesh (32.2396°N, 77.1887°E)
- Key Points: Khardung La, Rohtang Pass, Keylong, Sarchu
- Interactive Map: Use Google Maps or Gaia GPS for offline navigation (signal is spotty). Download OpenStreetMap for Himalayan trails.
Attractions
- Khardung La Pass: Claimed as the world’s highest motorable road (though disputed). Stop for a selfie with the signboard but avoid long stays due to thin air.
- Pangong Lake: A turquoise saltwater lake at 4,350m, famous from the film “3 Idiots.” Film its shimmering colors at sunrise.
- Thiksey Monastery: A 15th-century Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Leh. Capture its golden spires and monks in prayer.
- Magnetic Hill: A gravity-defying spot where bikes appear to roll uphill. Create a fun vlog segment debunking the myth.
- Local Culture: Interact with Ladakhi nomads in Sarchu or sample thukpa (noodle soup) at roadside dhabas.
Shooting Tips
- Gear: Use a GoPro Hero12 with HyperSmooth 5.0 for bumpy roads and a Rode Wireless Go II mic with a wind muff for clear audio at high altitudes.
- Angles: Mount a 360 camera (Insta360 X4) on your helmet for panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. Use a handlebar RAM mount for bike-focused shots.
- Golden Hour: Film at sunrise (5-7 AM) for soft light on Pangong Lake and monasteries. Avoid midday glare.
- B-Roll: Capture drone shots (DJI Mini 4 Pro, under 250g) of winding roads but secure permits for Ladakh’s restricted areas. Shoot monks chanting or yaks grazing.
- Privacy: Avoid filming locals’ faces without consent, especially in monasteries. Blur plates in post-production (DaVinci Resolve, free).
- Storytelling: Narrate the challenge of oxygen scarcity or the spiritual vibe of Thiksey to engage viewers.
Motovlogger Experience
Jatt Prabhjot vlogged this route, showcasing its raw beauty and challenges like altitude sickness. He used drone shots at Pangong Lake and B-roll of nomad camps, gaining 500,000+ views. His tip: Carry oxygen cans and film short clips to conserve battery in cold weather.
2. Noto Peninsula, Japan
Why Ride It: This coastal route offers serene ocean views, traditional villages, and technical curves, steeped in Japanese culture.
Distance: ~300 km (186 miles)
Duration: 1-2 days
Difficulty: Intermediate (twisty roads, narrow sections)
Route Overview
Circling the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, this route starts and ends in Kanazawa, hugging the Sea of Japan coast. It features smooth asphalt, sharp bends, and rural charm, with stops at fishing villages and rice fields.
Map
- Start/End: Kanazawa, Ishikawa (36.5613°N, 136.6562°E)
- Key Points: Wajima, Suzu, Chirihama Beach
- Interactive Map: Use Japan’s Navitime app for real-time traffic and English directions. Google Maps works for offline routes.
Attractions
- Chirihama Nagisa Driveway: An 8km beach where you can ride on hard-packed sand. Film your bike against crashing waves.
- Wajima Morning Market: A 1,000-year-old market selling seafood and crafts. Capture vendors and sample kaisen-don (seafood rice bowl).
- Senmaida Rice Fields: 1,000 terraced fields by the sea, a UNESCO site. Shoot their geometric beauty at sunset.
- Notojima Aquarium: Features dolphin shows and jellyfish tanks. Great for family-friendly B-roll.
- Local Culture: Visit a sento (public bath) or film taiko drum performances in Suzu.
Shooting Tips
- Gear: Insta360 X4 for 360-degree coastal shots; Sena 50C camera-intercom ($499) for integrated audio-video.
- Angles: Use a chin mount for POV curves and a rear-facing GoPro to capture your bike against rice fields.
- Golden Hour: Film at 5-7 PM for warm light on Senmaida or Chirihama’s waves.
- B-Roll: Shoot drone footage of terraced fields (secure MLIT permit, $50) or close-ups of market stalls.
- Privacy: Japan’s tousatsu laws are strict. Avoid filming individuals without consent; use wide shots in markets. Say “shitsureishimasu” to ease tensions.
- Storytelling: Narrate Japan’s blend of tradition and nature, like Wajima’s artisanal lacquerware, to add depth.
Motovlogger Experience
Tokyo Offroad rode Noto, emphasizing its peaceful vibe versus Tokyo’s chaos. His sunset shots at Chirihama and commentary on taiko festivals resonated, earning 100,000+ views. He advises respecting locals’ privacy and carrying yen for small vendors.
3. Estrada Real, Brazil
Why Ride It: A historic gold-trading route with colonial towns, jungle trails, and technical terrain, rich in Brazilian heritage.
Distance: ~1,500 km (932 miles)
Duration: 5-7 days
Difficulty: Advanced (mixed pavement, gravel, rain risks)
Route Overview
The Estrada Real stretches from Diamantina to Paraty, connecting Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro states. It mixes paved highways, cobblestone paths, and dirt tracks through rainforests and mountains.
Map
- Start: Diamantina, Minas Gerais (18.2494°S, 43.6000°W)
- End: Paraty, Rio de Janeiro (23.2178°S, 44.7135°W)
- Key Points: Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, São João del Rei
- Interactive Map: Use Waze for real-time road conditions; download Maps.me for offline dirt trails.
Attractions
- Ouro Preto: A UNESCO World Heritage colonial town with baroque churches. Film its cobblestone streets and gold mines.
- Inhotim Museum: An open-air art park near Belo Horizonte. Capture its sculptures and gardens for unique B-roll.
- Serra do Cipó National Park: Waterfalls and canyons ideal for adventure shots.
- Paraty: A coastal town with colorful streets and boat tours. Shoot its historic charm and beaches.
- Local Culture: Try feijoada (bean stew) at roadside eateries or film forró dance events.
Shooting Tips
- Gear: GoPro Hero12 with waterproof housing for rainforest rain; Purple Panda mic ($30) for budget audio.
- Angles: Helmet mount for POV on dirt trails; handlebar mount for cobblestone shots.
- Golden Hour: Film at 6-8 AM for misty jungle light or 4-6 PM for Ouro Preto’s golden glow.
- B-Roll: Drone shots of Serra do Cipó’s waterfalls (check Brazil’s ANAC drone rules). Capture street musicians in Paraty.
- Privacy: Avoid filming locals’ faces without consent, especially in indigenous areas. Blur plates in editing.
- Storytelling: Highlight Brazil’s colonial history or the gold rush legacy to engage viewers.
Motovlogger Experience
MotoGeo, a global vlogger, rode parts of Estrada Real, focusing on Ouro Preto’s architecture and dirt trail challenges. His drone shots of Inhotim and narration on feijoada culture boosted engagement. He recommends spare tires for gravel sections and filming early to avoid crowds.
4. Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), USA
Why Ride It: California’s iconic coastal route offers dramatic ocean cliffs, redwood forests, and Hollywood vibes.
Distance: ~1,050 km (652 miles)
Duration: 3-5 days
Difficulty: Intermediate (curvy roads, traffic)
Route Overview
Running from San Francisco to San Diego along California’s Highway 1 and 101, the PCH features smooth pavement, tight coastal curves, and urban stretches.
Map
- Start: San Francisco, California (37.7749°N, 122.4194°W)
- End: San Diego, California (32.7157°N, 117.1611°W)
- Key Points: Big Sur, Monterey, Santa Barbara
- Interactive Map: Google Maps for traffic updates; Caltrans app for road closures.
Attractions
- Big Sur: Rugged cliffs and McWay Falls. Film Bixby Bridge’s iconic arch.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: World-class marine exhibits. Great for educational B-roll.
- Hearst Castle: A lavish estate in San Simeon. Capture its architecture for a colorful B-roll shot.
- Santa Barbara Mission: A 1786 Spanish mission. Capture its adobe architecture.
- Local Culture: Sample fish tacos in San Diego or attend a surf festival.
Shooting Tips
- Gear: Insta360 X4 for 360-degree ocean views; Rode Wireless Go II for clear audio over traffic noise.
- Angles: Chin mount for POV curves; rear-facing GoPro for bike shots against cliffs.
- Golden Hour: Film at 6-8 PM for sunset over Big Sur’s coastline.
- B-Roll: Drone shots of Bixby Bridge (FAA Part 107 license needed for monetized vlogs). Capture surfers in Santa Barbara.
- Privacy: California’s two-party consent law requires permission for audio of others. Mute bystander voices in editing.
- Storytelling: Narrate PCH’s Hollywood connections or coastal ecology to add depth.
Motovlogger Experience
Blockhead vlogged the PCH, using drone shots of McWay Falls and B-roll of Monterey’s seals. His humorous commentary on Hearst Castle’s extravagance hit 1M+ views. He suggests filming midweek to avoid tourist traffic and checking Caltrans for Big Sur landslides.
5. North Coast 500, Scotland
Why Ride It: Scotland’s answer to Route 66, this Highland loop offers castles, beaches, and challenging weather.
Distance: ~830 km (516 miles)
Duration: 3-5 days
Difficulty: Intermediate (narrow roads, wind)
Route Overview
Starting and ending in Inverness, the NC500 circles Scotland’s northern coast, passing rugged cliffs, moors, and fishing villages.
Map
- Start/End: Inverness, Scotland (57.4778°N, 4.2247°W)
- Key Points: Applecross Pass, Ullapool, John O’Groats
- Interactive Map: Use Komoot for cycling routes adapted to motorcycles; Google Maps for attractions.
Attractions
- Bealach na Bà (Applecross Pass): A steep, single-track pass with hairpin turns. Film its dramatic ascent.
- Dunrobin Castle: A fairy-tale castle near Golspie. Capture its turrets and gardens.
- Smoo Cave: A sea cave with a waterfall. Great for adventure B-roll.
- Local Culture: Try haggis at pubs or film a Highland Games event (summer only).
Shooting Tips
- Gear: GoPro Hero12 with cold-weather battery; Sena 50C for integrated audio-video.
- Angles: Helmet mount for POV on Applecross Pass; handlebar mount for coastal shots.
- Golden Hour: Film at 7-9 AM for misty Highland light or 8-10 PM for long summer sunsets.
- B-Roll: Drone shots of Smoo Cave (EASA drone license needed). Capture bagpipers at festivals.
- Privacy: GDPR requires blurring faces in crowds. Get consent for close-ups.
- Storytelling: Share Highland history or myths like the Loch Ness Monster.
Motovlogger Experience
BaronVonGrumble rode the NC500, emphasizing its wild beauty and tricky passes. His drone shots of Dunrobin Castle and witty weather rants got 400,000+ views. He advises waterproof gear and filming in June for longer daylight.
6. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Why Ride It: An otherworldly ride across the world’s largest salt flat, with surreal landscapes and Andean culture.
Distance: ~300 km (186 miles)
Duration: 2-3 days
Difficulty: Advanced (remote, high altitude, navigation)
Route Overview
Starting in Uyuni, this loop crosses the salt flat to Sabaya, with flat, crusty terrain and high-altitude challenges (3,600m).
Map
- Start/End: Uyuni, Bolivia (20.4600°S, 66.8250°W)
- Key Points: Salar de Uyuni, Isla Incahuasi, Llica
- Interactive Map: Use Maps.me for offline navigation; GPS essential due to featureless terrain.
Attractions
- Salar de Uyuni: A vast, white salt crust. Film perspective tricks (e.g., giant bike illusions).
- Isla Incahuasi: A cactus-covered island in the salt flat. Capture its bizarre contrast.
- Train Cemetery: Abandoned locomotives near Uyuni. Great for gritty B-roll.
- Local Culture: Interact with Aymara locals or film quinoa harvests.
Shooting Tips
- Gear: GoPro Hero12 with extra batteries for cold; Purple Panda mic for budget audio.
- Angles: Helmet mount for POV across the flat; tripod for perspective shots.
- Golden Hour: Film at 6-8 AM for crisp salt reflections or 5-7 PM for pink skies.
- B-Roll: Drone shots of hexagonal salt patterns (check ANAC rules). Capture flamingos in nearby lagoons.
- Privacy: Get consent from locals for close-ups. Blur plates in editing.
- Storytelling: Narrate the salt flat’s formation or Aymara traditions.
Motovlogger Experience
MotoGeo vlogged Salar de Uyuni, using perspective tricks and drone shots of cacti. His narration on salt mining hit 200,000+ views. He recommends a guide for navigation and sunscreen for intense UV.
7. Golden Triangle, India
Why Ride It: A cultural odyssey through India’s historic heart, with iconic monuments and vibrant cities.
Distance: ~750 km (466 miles)
Duration: 3-5 days
Difficulty: Moderate (traffic, urban navigation)
Route Overview
This loop connects Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, showcasing Mughal and Rajput heritage through bustling streets and palaces.
Map
- Start/End: Delhi, India (28.6139°N, 77.2090°E)
- Key Points: Agra, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri
- Interactive Map: Google Maps for urban navigation; Waze for traffic.
Attractions
- Taj Mahal: Agra’s marble mausoleum. Film its symmetry at sunrise.
- Amber Fort: Jaipur’s hilltop palace. Capture its mirrored halls.
- Qutub Minar: Delhi’s 12th-century tower. Great for historical B-roll.
- Local Culture: Film Delhi’s street food (chaat) or Jaipur’s bazaars.
Shooting Tips
- Gear: Insta360 X4 for crowded streets; Rode Wireless Go II for clear audio over horns.
- Angles: Helmet mount for POV in traffic; tripod for Taj Mahal symmetry.
- Golden Hour: Film at 6-8 AM for Taj Mahal’s glow or 4-6 PM for Amber Fort’s warmth.
- B-Roll: Drone shots of Qutub Minar (DGCA permit needed). Capture rickshaws or artisans.
- Privacy: Avoid filming faces in crowds without consent. Blur plates.
- Storytelling: Narrate Mughal history or India’s chaotic charm.
Motovlogger Experience
Mumbiker Nikhil vlogged the Golden Triangle, blending Taj Mahal shots with Jaipur’s markets. His energetic narration and B-roll of street food hit 1M+ views. He suggests early starts to beat crowds and heat.
General Shooting Tips for All Routes
- Plan Ahead: Research routes, permits, and weather. Use apps like Komoot or Gaia GPS.
- Safety First: Wear gear (helmet, jacket, gloves) and obey traffic laws.
- Backup Gear: Carry spare batteries, MicroSD cards, and a power bank. Cold and altitude drain batteries.
- Editing: Use DaVinci Resolve (free) for stabilization, color grading, and blurring. Sync music to action (Epidemic Sound, $15/month).
- Monetization: Optimize for YouTube SEO with descriptive titles and thumbnails. Include affiliate links (e.g., RevZilla, 5-7% commission).
Final Thoughts
These seven routes—Leh-Manali, Noto Peninsula, Estrada Real, Pacific Coast Highway, North Coast 500, Salar de Uyuni, and Golden Triangle—offer motovloggers a canvas of scenic beauty, technical challenges, and cultural richness. From Himalayan passes to Bolivian salt flats, each ride tells a unique story that can captivate your audience. Use high-quality gear, strategic shooting techniques, and compelling narration to craft vlogs that inspire. Real motovloggers like Jatt Prabhjot and MotoGeo show the power of blending adventure with storytelling. Plan your route, respect local laws, and hit the road to create content that lives forever.