Why this ride
The stops in between: Socotra d, Socotra Archipelago, Socotra B and back through Socotra Archipelago. It was put together for the scenery rather than the shortest line.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Socotra e and Socotra B · 223 km
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 223 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 3 h 42
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
The recorded total and the leg detail need reconciliation. Inspect the leg notes before using this record for timing or navigation. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Scenic road chapters
Socotra d → Socotra Archipelago
The ride follows Socotra d → Socotra Archipelago for 43 km.
Chapter facts
- Length
- 43 km
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Socotra e
Eastern Socotra is where the island feels most like itself and least like anywhere else. The point lies about twenty-seven kilometres east of Hadibu, the island's main town, in the stretch between the coast and the inland limestone plateaus. Socotra sits in the Arabian Sea, closer to Somalia than to Yemen, and it has been isolated for so long that a large share of its plants and reptiles exist nowhere else on Earth. UNESCO recognised it as a natural World Heritage Site in 2008.
Read the complete Socotra e write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Socotra e is where the day begins. Next is Socotra d.
2. Socotra d
Hadibu is the main town of Socotra, a dusty, low-rise place on the north coast of the island, between the sea and the jagged granite peaks of the Hagghier mountains, which rise to around fifteen hundred metres just behind it. These mountains catch the clouds, and their slopes are greener and wetter than the coastal plains, with streams, pools and a remarkable range of endemic plants. The island's population is small, and Hadibu, with its market, mosques and goats wandering the streets, is the only real town.
Read the complete Socotra d write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Socotra d comes up 38 km in. Next is Socotra Archipelago.
3. Socotra Archipelago
Let us be honest from the first line: you will not ride your own motorcycle here, and you should think carefully before going at all. Socotra is an island in the Arabian Sea, part of Yemen, about three hundred and fifty kilometres off the coast of the Arabian Peninsula and closer to the Horn of Africa. Isolated for millions of years, it developed a flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth, and roughly a third of its plants are endemic. The most famous is the dragon's blood tree, shaped like an inverted umbrella, whose red resin has been traded since ancient times as a dye and medicine. The archipelago was listed by UNESCO in 2008 for its extraordinary biodiversity.
Read the complete Socotra Archipelago write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
76 km in you reach Socotra Archipelago. Next is Socotra B.
4. Socotra B
Towards the western end of Socotra, the land narrows and lowers, and the north coast curves into bays of sand so white they hurt your eyes in the midday sun.
Read the complete Socotra B write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Socotra B, about halfway. Next is back through Socotra Archipelago.
5. back through Socotra Archipelago
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Socotra Archipelago write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Socotra Archipelago sits at 151 km, about halfway. Next is back through Socotra d.
6. back through Socotra d
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Socotra d write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Socotra d comes up 189 km in. Next is Socotra e.
7. Socotra e
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Socotra e write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Socotra e closes the day.
Leg by leg
Socotra e to Socotra d
Socotra e → Socotra d is 31 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Socotra d to Socotra Archipelago
Socotra d → Socotra Archipelago is 43 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Socotra Archipelago to Socotra B
Socotra Archipelago → Socotra B is 40 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Socotra B to back through Socotra Archipelago
Socotra B → back through Socotra Archipelago is 40 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Socotra Archipelago to back through Socotra d
back through Socotra Archipelago → back through Socotra d is 43 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Socotra d to Socotra e
back through Socotra d → Socotra e is 31 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
More motorcycle rides nearby
- Socotra b and Socotra g (284 km) · 306 km
- Socotra e and Socotra c (202 km) · 193 km
- Socotra e and Socotra b · 215 km
- Socotra d and Socotra Archipelago · 88 km