Motortrip Austria 2025

The Beginning of De Natte Zwaluw

The beginning of De Natte Zwaluw started with our first big adventure to Austria. Riding inland from the Netherlands, we traveled through the beautiful Eifel region, continued via the Black Forest, and made our way into the Austrian Alps.

This was our first real long-distance motorcycle trip, and it taught us a lot about planning, endurance, riding as a group, and trusting the journey. We left with six riders, and from the very first day it felt like more than “just a trip.” It was the start of something bigger.

Trip Overview

  • Dates: April 26 – May 3

  • Starting point: West Brabant, The Netherlands

  • Duration: 8 days

  • Group: 6 riders

  • Style: Fully inland/backroads (no highways)

  • Destination: Schröcken, Austria (3 nights in a mountain ski hut)

One important lesson we learned right away: if you ride Austria in late April, it’s smart to check in advance whether mountain passes above 2000 meters are open because some of them can still be closed at that time of year.

Why We Rode Everything Inland

One of the main reasons this trip was fully ridden inland was because one of our riders joined the adventure on a Yamaha XSR 125 (2022). Riding long distances on highways with a 125cc simply isn’t enjoyable so we chose a different approach.

And honestly, that decision turned out to be one of the best we could have made.

By avoiding highways completely, we discovered incredible backroads, quiet mountain villages, and endless twisty roads that we would have otherwise missed. It slowed the pace in the best possible way and made the journey just as important as the destination.

For the 125cc rider, the trip was an amazing experience. Climbing steep mountain roads meant working a bit harder to keep up with the group, but on the way down, the lightweight bike really came into its own often being the fastest of all. It proved once again that riding fun isn’t about horsepower, but about skill, confidence, and enjoying the road.

This trip is a perfect example that even with a smaller engine, you can truly ride anywhere. You just need the right mindset, good planning, and a group that rides together.

The Route

The route of this trip was carefully built up over multiple days, gradually increasing in distance, scenery, and technical difficulty. Starting close to home and ending high in the Alps made the journey feel natural and achievable especially for a first long-distance motorcycle trip.

The Eifel: The Perfect Warm-Up

The Eifel was our first riding area, and although we had been there before, it remains one of the best regions for motorcycling close to the Netherlands. Tight corners, flowing roads, and quiet countryside make it ideal for getting into the rhythm of a longer trip.

Because of its proximity, the Eifel is perfect for a long weekend of riding, but it also works incredibly well as the starting point of a bigger adventure. The roads are fun without being overly technical, making it a great place to warm up both mentally and physically.

The Black Forest: Roads Like a Racetrack

From the Eifel, we continued south toward the Black Forest and this is where the riding truly stepped up a level.

For motorcyclists, the Black Forest is something you simply have to ride at least once. The environment is stunning, with tall trees, wide valleys, and constant elevation changes. But what really stands out are the roads: smooth tarmac, perfect corners, and endless flow. At times, it genuinely feels like riding on a racetrac but surrounded by nature.

The combination of technical roads and breathtaking views makes this region unforgettable. It’s demanding enough to stay exciting, but still incredibly rewarding.

Austria: A Whole New Level of Adventure

Austria took this trip to an entirely new level. Riding into the Alps means gaining serious altitude, with mountain roads climbing toward and beyond 2000 meters.

Because we traveled at the end of April, we learned an important lesson: some high mountain passes can still be closed due to snow. But even with those limitations, the experience was absolutely incredible. Snow-covered peaks, cold mountain air, and countless waterfalls created by melting snow made the scenery almost unreal.

The contrast between winter landscapes and spring temperatures lower down the mountains made every ride special. Austria isn’t just about riding roads it’s about riding through an environment that constantly changes around you.

Overnight Stays

Choosing the right places to stay is a big part of a successful motorcycle trip. For this adventure, we focused on affordable, rider-friendly accommodations with a relaxed atmosphere places where you can park the bikes safely, grab a good meal, and enjoy a beer after a long day of riding.

Papelhof: Eifel Region

Our first overnight stay was at Papelhof, located right in the heart of the Eifel region.

This is an older-style hotel, but that’s part of its charm. It’s cozy, relaxed, and a great place to unwind after a day of riding. Sitting down in the evening with a cold beer and sharing stories from the road felt exactly right here.

  • Price: approx. €45 per person per night (including breakfast)

  • Motorcycle parking: indoor storage available

  • Food: decent and filling good quality, but keep expectations realistic

  • Rooms: older style, but clean and well maintained

For the price, this place is hard to beat. It’s perfect for motorcyclists who value atmosphere, affordability, and practicality over luxury.
Check out the hotel via the link below.
https://www.booking.com/Share-hdVeDJ

Hotel Schützen: Black Forest

In the Black Forest, we stayed at Hotel Schützen, and this was a real highlight.

The hotel has a warm, welcoming atmosphere, largely thanks to the incredibly friendly host. After a long ride, it was the perfect place to sit outside on the terrace with a beer and relax. The food here deserves special mention especially if you’re in the mood for a proper schnitzel.

  • Price: approx. €45 per person per night (including breakfast)

  • Motorcycle parking: along the street

  • Food: excellent, highly recommended

  • Breakfast: generous you’re even allowed to take food with you for lunch

  • Rooms: older style, very clean, fully equipped

This is one of those places you’d happily return to without hesitation.
Check out the hotel via the link below.
https://www.bikerhotel.de/

Ski Hut in Schröcken: Austria

In Austria, we stayed for three nights in a ski hut in Schröcken, booked through Airbnb.

This accommodation was an 8-person mountain hut, fully equipped and perfect for a group of riders. Staying together under one roof really added to the experience and made the evenings just as memorable as the riding itself.

  • Stay: 3 nights

  • Cost: approx. €700 total 

  • Type: private ski hut

  • Location: quiet mountain village, surrounded by alpine scenery

For group trips, this kind of stay is highly recommended. It gives you space, comfort, and a real alpine atmosphere something a regular hotel simply can’t match.

 

Riding Austria in April – What We Learned

Riding in Austria in late April is an experience on its own — beautiful, challenging, and sometimes surprising.

Before this trip, we didn’t fully realize that many mountain passes above 2000 meters can still be closed during this time of year. This is something worth checking in advance when planning a spring trip through Austria. Snow conditions can vary greatly depending on altitude and weather.

That said, riding Austria in April also comes with something truly special.

Because winter was only just letting go, the landscapes felt raw and powerful. Snow was still visible high up in the mountains, while lower roads were already dry and perfectly rideable. Everywhere we rode, melting snow created waterfalls that seemed to appear out of nowhere, turning the scenery into something almost unreal.

The temperature differences added another layer to the experience. One moment you’re riding in mild spring conditions, the next you’re climbing into cold mountain air surrounded by snow-covered peaks. It constantly keeps you alert not just as a rider, but as someone taking in the environment around you.

Even with some passes closed, Austria delivered an unforgettable riding experience. It taught us that planning is important, but flexibility is essential. Sometimes the roads you can’t ride make you appreciate even more the ones you do get to experience.

Beginner Friendly, But Never Boring

This trip was built up step by step, making it very accessible for riders with limited long-distance or mountain experience.

Starting in the Eifel, the roads are playful and flowing. The Black Forest adds more technical riding, and Austria introduces true alpine roads with steeper climbs and higher altitude. Each region raises the level just enough to grow into the next.

Despite being beginner friendly, the route never becomes boring. Every day offers new scenery, new challenges, and different types of roads. The most important rule remains simple: ride your own pace.

Download the Routes

Want to ride this adventure yourself?
You can download our full routes and experience the same journey from West Brabant to Austria.

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