7 Epic Motorbike Loops You Can’t Miss in Southeast Asia

There’s nothing like exploring Southeast Asia on two wheels. The freedom of winding mountain passes, cruising through tiny villages, and stopping at hidden waterfalls makes motorbiking one of the best ways to really see the region. Some routes have become backpacker rites of passage, while others remain wild and underrated. Whether you’ve got just a few days or a week to ride, these are the best motorbike loops in Southeast Asia, from Vietnam’s jagged limestone peaks to Indonesia’s island roads and the rugged highlands of the Philippines.

1. Ha Giang Loop, Vietnam

The Ha Giang Loop has exploded in popularity in recent years, and for good reason. This 3–5 day circuit winds through northern Vietnam’s most dramatic landscapes. You’ll experience towering limestone karsts, rice terraces carved into steep hillsides, and hairpin turns overlooking valleys that stretch to the Chinese border. Starting from Ha Giang City, the loop usually passes through Dong Van and Meo Vac, with plenty of side detours to minority villages and caves. The roads are steep and twisting, but the views are some of the most spectacular in all of Asia. It’s usually done clockwise.

This is by far the most popular on the list and is one that most people have heard about. That also makes it the most accessible, with dozens of companies offering tours. That means if you don’t have any experience riding a motorbike, you can even have someone drive for you. On the other hand, due to its popularity, it gets extremely busy. This means that during the peak season, there are hundreds of tourists departing every day. It also means that police patrol the area quite frequently and give out fines to anyone driving unlicensed.

2. Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand

This is another famous loop, but more among motorcyclists than backpackers. Northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Loop is a rider’s dream: more than 600 kilometers and around 1,864 curves through lush mountains and valleys. The loop typically begins in Chiang Mai and can be done in 4–7 days, passing through Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, and Pai before circling back. It’s the most well-paved on this list. It’s comfortable than some of Southeast Asia’s rougher routes, making it a good balance of adventure and accessibility. This one can be done either way, but I recommend doing it counter-clockwise.

Along the way, you’ll find waterfalls, caves, the highest point in Thailand, rice fields, hot springs, and traditional hill-tribe villages. We even made a detour to a village on the border with Myanmar, though they didn’t let us cross. The towns in the middle feel a lot more authentic than Pai or even central Chiang Mai, as the only tourists that pass through them are the ones completing the loop.

3. Tahkek Loop, Laos

The Thakhek Loop is one of Laos’s best-loved rides, beginning in the sleepy Mekong town of Thakhek and heading inland for 3–5 days of stunning karst mountains and rural countryside. The highlight is Kong Lor Cave, a 7-kilometer underground river you can explore by boat. But the journey there is just as rewarding — passing blue lagoons, caves, and remote villages. Most people follow the route counter-clockwise, though there is an option to pay to bring your bike on a boat through the cave. That way, you avoid the boring stretch of highway at the end and drive back the same way you came.

The roads can be rough in parts, but that’s part of the fun, and the loop is still accessible to beginner riders with patience. One of my friends drove on it after I had just taught her how to drive a bike. Our group of 8 had a couple of crashes along the way, but nothing serious. We also met a group that rented a pickup truck and completed the loop in it.

4. North Luzon Loop, Philippines

I’ll be honest, this is the only loop on the list that I haven’t done. But I am dying to go. The North Luzon Loop takes you deep into the mountains of the Philippines, a land of rice terraces, pine forests, and misty highlands. Starting from Manila, riders typically head north toward Baguio, Banaue, Sagada, and Bontoc before looping back via the coastal roads. The full loop can take 5–7 days, but shorter circuits are possible. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Banaue Rice Terraces and the winding roads of Halsema Highway. It’s a challenging ride with frequent landslides and sharp curves, but it’s one of the most rewarding routes in the Philippines.

5. Bolaven Plateau (Pakse) Loop, Laos

East of Pakse, the Bolaven Plateau Loop takes you through coffee country and some of Laos’s most spectacular waterfalls. The loop can be done in 2–5 days, depending on whether you stick to the shorter inner circuit or take the longer outer route. Expect cool highland air, endless greenery, and stays at family-run guesthouses where you can watch coffee being roasted on the spot. With its laid-back vibe and easy-riding roads, this loop is usually done clockwise.

I highly recommend doing the outer loop, as it will take you to some of the more remote waterfalls. It’s less popular than the Tahkek Loop, but I may like it even more. It comes down to whether you prefer caves or waterfalls, and you can probably guess which one I am. Besides Tad Fane and Tad Yeung, many of the waterfalls were deserted. We turned them into our playground. We jumped off of one that we estimate to be 12 meters, and climbed under another one.

6. Cao Bang Loop, Vietnam

Often overshadowed by Ha Giang, the Cao Bang Loop offers equally epic scenery with far fewer crowds. Located northeast of Hanoi, this 3–4 day ride takes you through winding mountain roads, remote valleys, and minority villages. The highlight is Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in Asia, right on the border with China. Roads are generally less busy than in Ha Giang, and the pace feels slower, giving you more time to soak in the scenery. It doesn’t really matter which way around you go.

7. Flores Island Loop, Indonesia

For something completely different, head to Flores in Indonesia. The island’s serpentine roads offer a 7–10 day adventure from Labuan Bajo in the west all the way to Maumere in the east (or vice versa). It makes it the longest loop on this list, but it’s very rewarding. There are several ways to do the route, as there’s only one highway across the island and some less ideal roads on the coasts.

This loop might be one of my favourites, because it’s got a bit of everything. Along the way, you can hike volcanoes, go scuba diving, chill at remote beaches, visit the colorful crater lakes at Kelimutu, and immerse yourself in traditional villages where life hasn’t changed much in centuries. The riding here is demanding — with steep climbs, sharp curves, and unpredictable weather, but the rewards are endless. It’s one of the best long-distance island rides in the region. You’ll see very few tourists most of the way, but that’s part of the charm.

Final Thoughts

Riding a motorbike through Southeast Asia is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the region. These loops aren’t just about the thrill of the ride — they’re about slowing down, taking the backroads, and discovering landscapes and cultures that most travelers never get to see. From Vietnam’s limestone peaks to Indonesia’s volcanic islands and the rice terraces of the Philippines, every loop offers its own mix of challenge, beauty, and freedom. Whether you’ve got a few days to spare or a week-long adventure in mind, grab a bike, pack light, and hit the road — the best views are waiting just around the next bend.