Ride the Trans Euro Trail (TET)

Good reasons you need to ride the Trans Euro Trail (TET).
As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, it can seem like there is nothing new to discover in the Balkan countries.

Every footpath, dirt road and even singletrack has been covered in the past. Whether you're on a motorcycle holiday or a motorcycle-free holiday, we all know what the Balkan countries have to offer - beautiful centuries-old towns and villages, glorious beaches, excellent food and so much more. But have you ever considered that you might not know everything about the Balkans? There's more than just cobbled roads and old buildings, there are over 51,000km of dirt roads through some of Europe's most remote, diverse and interesting landscapes - the Trans Euro Trail (TET). Inspired by the Trans America Trail (which is relatively small at just 8,000km), the Trans Euro Trail was founded by John Ross and is maintained and run by a non-profit volunteer group called the Linesmen, a group that finds, manages and keeps up to date with the trail network, a network of roads and trails that stretches across 30 European countries. These trails should be doable with any normal two-wheeler, but if you love and seek a challenge and adventure, you should take a big adventure motorcycle and try one of these routes. Does that sound interesting? Of course it does. Here are some good reasons why you should ride the Trans Euro Trail.

This is an adventure rider’s dream. 

The point of the TET is to explore Europe's dirt roads and discover some of the most remote regions of Europe (while respecting local laws, of course). You will meet few or no tourists along the way. In fact, in some places and on some nights, your only companions, and you should certainly be wary of them, are bears and wolves who might be interested in your overnight campsite. On other days, you will pass by old castles, medieval towns and places worth exploring. Unfortunately, many of the sights were destroyed by the war.

Did we mention the TET spans over 30 countries?

The TET is comprised of routes in Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. 

What more could an interested motorcyclist want?

There’s something for everyone.

Very few of the routes are paved. The trails mostly cover the terrain that adventure riders love: gravel, mud, sand, water crossings and rocks. In some places the trail is very wide (in some places big enough for a 4x4), but many routes are single track or very narrow.

For the timid, a smaller, traditional motorcycle is fine, but those who really want to test their skills and endurance will enjoy a BMW GS, Super Adventure or other ADV motorcycle on this route.

In some countries, there are no laws regulating trail riding.
Europe is very restrictive when it comes to off-road riding and you'll be happy to hear that in some countries along the TET there are no regulations at all.
But still, be respectful of the law, nature and wildlife.

Camping and Lodging options are plentiful.

While you can stay in five-star accommodation in certain areas, the best way to experience TET is to camp under the stars at night. This does mean you'll need to pack more luggage and camping gear, but it's the best way to fully immerse yourself in TET - or at least part of it. Doing the entire TET in one go could take you weeks. If you prefer a hot shower, a meal or a real bed, hostels and B&Bs can also be found in some areas.

There is also free stuff.

That's right, you can download the GPS routes and maps for the TET completely free of charge. The Linesmen, the group of volunteers responsible for organizing the TET, have provided everything you need and a lot of information for you on their website. And they do this without any intention of making a profit.

Rather, the organizer simply wants to share the breathtaking landscapes that the European continent has to offer adventure motorcyclists - from the top of the Arctic Circle down to the Strait of Gibraltar, just a stone's throw from Africa. Before you set off, be sure to visit the TET website as it also contains other helpful information and useful tips, such as route descriptions, best travel times, route closures, alternative routes, fuel stops and other POIs.

If you are not already excited about the Balkan Trail, then adventure motorcycling may not be for you. The term "epic" is used frequently in many facets of life, but experiencing a true adventure ride through 30 European countries on routes far from the tourist traps that Europe is known for can truly be described as an epic journey.

When you consider that the Trans America Trail is “only” 8,000 km long and the Continental Divide Trail is even shorter at 4,800 km, the Trans European Trail is just huge at 51,000 km!

If you ask us, the Trans European Trail should definitely be broken down into several sections. A breakdown by country might work best. Then choose a country (some countries may have more trail networks than others) and plan your route accordingly.

The TET guides on this website offer many great route options, broken down by characteristics, to help you choose your destination. As a side note, the website also offers a short introduction to the actual riders who have already explored these routes for you, along with their personal picture, so you can better understand their qualifications and better appreciate the route itself. Not to mention, you can also virtually thank the person for taking the time to add detailed descriptions, sights only locals know about, and riding tips to help you along the way.

Also, take time to stop and admire the scenery and history behind the points of interest along the way. Often, it's these backstories that make such trips so memorable. However you decide to tackle the TET, there's nothing to regret doing it.

The trail is so extensive and continues to grow as more routes are discovered and added.

This gives every adventure rider a reason to keep coming back.