Recommended Maps Please

Deleted account 211025001 · Apr 15, 2008

I'm off to the Alps at the end of May for a couple of weeks; one week we are staying just inside Switzerland by lake Magglore, the plan being to dip in and out of the Italian 'lakes' and surrounding area.

The second week we will be on the move, no plan, just a week to kill getting back to the UK so who knows?

Whilst I've passed throught the Alps (Dolomites) I've never spent any time there and really want to explore some of the smaller passes and unmade tracks (not too challenfging, I'll be two up on road tyres).

Can anybody please reccomend some maps of the area that will be detailed enough for this purpose.

Cheers
Andres

John Armstrong · Apr 15, 2008

Have you had a look here: http://www.uem-online.org

And then "tourism" on the lh side, and then "regions with uem-online maps" as a starting point?

Cole · Apr 15, 2008

The best motorcycle touring maps IMHO are the series put out by german Motorrad magazine, called "Motorrad Generalkarte". They have Germany and Austria (and the Dolomites - the Austrian part of Italy) mapped out specifically for motorcycles.

They are laminated waterproof, 1:200,000 scale, show green highlighted roads where they are scenic (as per michelin maps) but also have purple highlighted roads that are "must rides for bikers". I have not been disappointed by any of the many purple highlighted roads I have ridden.

They cost EUR 5.70 per map from Motorrad themselves.
http://www.webaboshop.de/webaboshop/productDetail.do?positionId=150643&promotionId=113713

Or EUR 5.90 from Amazon germany
http://www.amazon.de/motorrad-gener...te&rh=n:186606,k:motorrad generalkarte&page=1

They are excellent thorough maps that also include lists of motorcycle garages on each map and motorcycle friendly accomodation. Typically thorough and German. I have yet to find a better motorcycle touring map anywhere than this series. ... but I dont think they have "pistes" on them ... will try to remember to check tonight

There are a lot of tiny back roads that are just one lane wide in the dolomites that you would not find or never ride until you see them marked in purple on the Motorrad maps.

Deleted account 211025001 · Apr 15, 2008

Those look really intersting John, thanks. I'll get some of those as they will be useful for touring round the region.

What I'm after, more specifficaly (I think), is something along the lines of our OS 1:50o000 maps with a level of detail that will show tracks/byways/greenlanes (whatever they call them out there)?

Andres

Wapping · Apr 15, 2008

Michelin maps will be just what you need for the French Alps or indeed the whole of France.

I am away in Stockholm today but will have a look at a very good map that covers the whole of the Alps, west to east, right across to the Dolomites, when I am home this evening.

Local maps can be bought in most petrol stations or reasonably sized towns.

John Armstrong · Apr 15, 2008

This any better: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/stock/lake-maggiore-lake-varese-83843/

Even if it's not, it's possible to spend hours looking at all the maps they do

Wapping · Apr 15, 2008

Outtomunch said:
Those look really intersting John, thanks. I'll get some of those as they will be useful for touring round the region.

What I'm after, more specifficaly (I think), is something along the lines of our OS 1:50o000 maps with a level of detail that will show tracks/byways/greenlanes (whatever they call them out there)?

Andres

The UK's OS maps are very nearly unique in style / amount of detail carried...just one of the few things we are stilligood at.

Whether they will last as GPS devoces get cheaper and cheaper, more accurate and more intelligent, only time will tell.

Deleted account 211025001 · Apr 15, 2008

They are excellent thorough maps that also include lists of motorcycle garages on each map and motorcycle friendly accomodation. Typically thorough and German. I have yet to find a better motorcycle touring map anywhere than this series. ... but I dont think they have "pistes" on them ... will try to remember to check tonight

There are a lot of tiny back roads that are just one lane wide in the dolomites that you would not find or never ride until you see them marked in purple on the Motorrad maps.

Thanks for the response Colebatch, if they have pistes marked they sound perfect :thumb2

I am away in Stockholm today but will have a look at a very good map that covers the whole of the Alps, west to east, right across to the Dolomites, when I am home this evening.

Thanks Wapping :beerjug:

The UK's OS maps are very nearly unique in style / amount of detail carried...just one of the few things we are stilligood at.

Nice to know we are still good at something

Even if it's not, it's possible to spend hours looking at all the maps they do

It's like 'map porn' :bounce1

Andres

Old Codger · Apr 15, 2008

Alpine Roads

Hi
try www.alpineroads.com . Lake Misurina to the north east of Cortina Ampezzo worth a visit The Pizzeria on the north side of the lake seating area over the edge of the lake is top notch
Frank

Cole · Apr 15, 2008

Andres,

Looking at the maps now, they have a grading of road that sits between the assorted grades of road, and the footpath / hiking path.

Its translated on the map legend as "carriageway". No guarantees, but that sounds like it might possibly be of use to you

Deleted account 211025001 · Apr 15, 2008

Colebatch said:
Andres,

Looking at the maps now, they have a grading of road that sits between the assorted grades of road, and the footpath / hiking path.

Its translated on the map legend as "carriageway". No guarantees, but that sounds like it might possibly be of use to you

Thank you

And thanks all for the comments :beerjug:

Andres

Allan Davies · Apr 15, 2008

Try this website, it's very good and if you fill in the map requesty thingy :nenau

they will even send you a free map of the Dolimites, which has on it all the best biking roads, hotels and even routes to do whilst over there

A really good map and invaluable if you ask me and its free :bounce1

shame then, that I left mine at the hotel on top of the Pordini Pass last year :blast

(wonder if its still there :augie

)
HTH

http://www.trentinoinmoto.com/cms-01.00/articolo.asp?IDcms=357&s=72&

Wapping · Apr 15, 2008

Back home, maps to hand.

Two maps will suite you very well, showing all the detail you are ever likely to need.

(1) Michelin 561 and 562 Regional maps

Between them these will take you right across the Italian Alps, including the Dolomites, at a scale of 1/400,000 - 1cm:4k.

(2) Insight Travel Map Northern Italy & French Riveriera.

This will take you (on one map) from Autun / Grenoble / Marseille (France) to Siena (Italy) / Salzburg (Austria) to Zagreb / Split (former Yugoslavia). It is twice the scale of the Michelin map at 1/800,000 - 1cm:8km. Having such a broad area on one map makes route planning a doddle.

If you are thinking about the Dolomites I would recommend Arabba as a good place to stay.

If possible try to take in the WW1 mountain war museum at Mt Lagazuoi. Tunnels deep into the middle and tops of the mountains - but not great if you do not have a head for heights. It's an all day visit.

http://addiator.blogspot.com/2006/08/lagazuoi-tunnels.html

Deleted account 211025001 · Apr 16, 2008

Wapping said:
Back home, maps to hand.

Two maps will suite you very well, showing all the detail you are ever likely to need.
............................

Thank you very much :beerjug:

Andres

Recommended Maps Please

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