Cambodia: The Golden Age of Adventure Motorcycling Is Happening Right Now
Road 10 under construction, 2023
Twenty years ago, exploring Cambodia was almost an expedition. The country was gradually rebuilding its infrastructure, and long journeys were often made on dirt roads, including parts of major national routes such as the NR6.
Today, the landscape has changed dramatically. By the end of 2025, Cambodia's national road network exceeded 20,700 kilometres. Yet behind this impressive modernisation lies what makes the country so appealing to adventure riders: a significant portion of the secondary road network remains unpaved or is still being upgraded, creating an exceptional contrast between modern highways and wild backroads. Perfect time for a tour with Mototom Cambodia on a 250cc motorbike, a Royal Enfield Himalayan or even a little Honda Super Cub!
A Rare Opportunity
We are probably living through the final years of a unique balance.
Cambodia today offers what many riders dream of: the comfort and safety of modern infrastructure without losing the spirit of exploration that once defined Southeast Asia several decades ago.
National Road 10 is perhaps the most spectacular example. Stretching through the Cardamom Mountains for nearly 200 kilometres between Battambang, Pursat and Koh Kong, it now connects regions that were once extremely difficult to access. What used to be a challenging journey along rough tracks has become one of the most scenic and smooth paved roads in the country, opening the door to vast areas that remain remarkably untouched.
This transformation is precisely why adventure motorcycles have become more relevant than pure enduro bikes in many parts of Cambodia. Long paved sections allow riders to cover significant distances comfortably, while rural roads, forest tracks and remote access routes still provide plenty of opportunities for exploration and off-road adventure.
The Perfect Balance Between Modernity and Adventure
Chris’ Honda XR400, on a trail of Kamping Plouk, Battambang, 2022
The Cambodian government has set an ambitious goal of paving or concreting 75 per cent of rural roads by 2030, improving connectivity for thousands of villages across the country.
This is excellent news for Cambodia's development. However, for adventure travellers, it also means the present moment may be the most interesting.
Within a few years, many of today's dirt roads and remote tracks will likely become modern roads. The remarkable contrast that exists today will gradually fade.
That is why the present decade may well represent the golden age of adventure motorcycling in Cambodia: enough modern infrastructure to travel comfortably, yet still enough remote tracks, backroads and hidden corners to preserve the true spirit of discovery.
More Than Just a Motorcycle Destination
The real appeal of Cambodia extends far beyond its roads.
Beautiful paved road in remote villages of Samlout Chas.
In the Cardamom Mountains around Tatai, tropical rainforests, mangroves and estuaries form one of the most remarkable natural environments in Southeast Asia. Although these areas are now easier to reach thanks to improved infrastructure, they still retain a wild character that has disappeared from much of the region.
But Cambodia's adventure is not only about nature.
Away from the main tourist routes, hidden treasures still await discovery. Ta Seng Temple is a perfect example. Far from the crowds that concentrate around Angkor, this remote sanctuary rewards those willing to leave the main roads behind. It is exactly the kind of place that gives meaning to an adventure motorcycle journey.
In the foothills of Mount Aural, Cambodia's highest peak, and across the rolling landscapes of Ratanakiri, riders can still travel through regions where nature remains dominant. Encounters with local communities and ethnic minority groups add a human dimension to the journey, reminding visitors that some parts of the kingdom continue to evolve at their own pace.
This diversity is what makes Cambodia so special. In just a few days, a rider can enjoy a spectacular newly completed road such as National Road 10, explore remote dirt tracks, discover a forgotten temple hidden in the forest, and finish the day in the heart of one of the country's most beautiful natural ecosystems.
Why Ride Cambodia Now?
Road 10 achieved in the Cardamoms
Cambodia is developing at an extraordinary pace. New roads, new bridges and new connections between provinces are appearing throughout the country.
For motorcyclists, this creates a rare opportunity: the chance to experience a nation in transition, where adventure has not yet been erased by modernisation.
Riding in Cambodia today means enjoying the best of both worlds. It means travelling on stunning new roads while still having the freedom to leave the pavement behind and explore tracks, villages and landscapes that have retained their original character.
For adventure riders, it is difficult to imagine a better moment than now. Cambodia is changing rapidly, yet it still preserves the sense of freedom, discovery and exploration that defines great motorcycle journeys.
At Mototom Cambodia, we are fortunate to witness this unique period and to share it with our riders. Every route we design is built around this exceptional balance between modernity and authenticity, before the most remote tracks eventually become part of the country's modern road network.
Cambodia of tomorrow will undoubtedly be faster, more comfortable and more accessible. But Cambodia today offers something far rarer: the feeling of exploring a country with secrets still to discover.
