Motorcycle trip

United Kingdom

Not road tours: in the UK, we run off-road training in Wales, two days to learn to ride off the pavement, taught in English. We do not run guided road tours in England or Scotland. For a guided week with an English-speaking guide, see our Europe motorcycle tours; for other off-road courses, our training in France, near Lyon.

$990 per rider for the course in Wales: three days on site, two of them spent training. That covers the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and gas, the instructors, two nights at the lodge and breakfasts. On top come your travel to Dolgellau, your other meals and, if it is your first trip with us, a $41 registration fee. The course is for riders only.

The season runs from March to November; so far, sessions have taken place between March and September. Even in summer, the weather in Wales is changeable and the trails are often wet, so rain gear is a must. The 2027 dates are not set yet: ask your travel advisor, who can also look at a date on request.

The course is rated Accessible: it suits riders who are confident on the street, whether they are new to off-road riding or want to brush up before an adventure tour. It is not a learn-to-ride course: you need a valid license with a motorcycle endorsement and regular riding. Welsh trails are narrow and rocky: if in doubt about your level, talk to your travel advisor before booking.

US citizens need a valid passport and an electronic travel authorization (ETA), which costs £20 and must be obtained online before you travel: see GOV.UK’s ETA page. A valid US license with a motorcycle endorsement generally lets you ride during a short visit; confirm with the GOV.UK license checker. Other nationalities should check their own situation before booking.

The course is near Dolgellau, in northwest Wales, on the southern edge of Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park. The nearest airport is Liverpool, a little over two hours away by road; from the US, flights usually connect in Europe or land at a larger UK airport. Travel is up to you, with arrival at the lodge from 3 p.m. on the first day.

Yes. Training starts on a private ground, then moves to local trails, in a small group, at the group’s pace and with off-road instructors. The main risks come from the terrain and the weather: mud, rocks and rain. Off-road gear is lent if you have none. Before you go, read the U.S. State Department’s travel information for the United Kingdom.

In the UK, traffic drives on the left, but the course mostly takes place away from traffic: on the training ground, then on trails. Only short stretches of small roads link the trails, behind the instructors. If you rent a car to get there, allow time to get used to driving on the left and to roundabouts, which you take clockwise.