Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps & Beyond [Paperback]

John Hermann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

This fourth edition of John Hermann's classic alpine motorcycle touring guide is the complete resource for any traveler to the high and twisty roads of Europe. Covering more area than any previous edition, Hermann's fun-to-read text has been throughly updated and expanded. New trips to the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa mountain ranges in Spain have been added, the maps now have mountain relief backgrounds to highlight the topography, and many spectacular new pictures have been added.  Every region of the Alps is covered:  Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and even special alpine lookalike places such as Corsica and Slovenia. All of the important roads and passes are described and critiqued.  Each recommended trip has a detailed route description, easy-to-follow maps, advice on places to stay and things to do, and plenty of photographs.  Local customs, history, and amusing travel anecdotes dot every page to enrich the journey. There is no other book like this one. It is the guide of choice for every motorcyclist who wants the trip of a lifetime to motorcycling's nirvana.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

This fourth edition of John Hermann's classic alpine motorcycle touring guide is the complete resource for any traveler to the high and twisty roads of Europe. Covering more area than any previous edition, Hermann's fun-to-read text has been throughly updated and expanded. New trips to the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa mountain ranges in Spain have been added, the maps now have mountain relief backgrounds to highlight the topography, and many spectacular new pictures have been added.  Every region of the Alps is covered:  Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and even special alpine lookalike places such as Corsica and Slovenia.  Each recommended trip has a detailed route description, easy-to-follow maps, advice on places to stay and things to do, and unique photographs. 

About the Author

Known in BMW circles as the "King of the Alps," John Hermann bought his first bike in 1960.  Since then he has clocked over 1,000,000 miles, many of them on his biannual trips to Europe to explore every nook and cranny that might possibly have a twisty road.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Whitehorse Press; 4 edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884313701
• ISBN-13: 978-1884313707
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #757,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Travel > Europe > France > Corsica

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The bible of the Alps, November 11, 2008

By 

R. Hutchinson "Moto Maven" (Panajachel, Guatemala, Central America) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps & Beyond (Paperback)

This book is, hands down, the best guide book for motorcycling the Alps. John writes in a very sparse manner, not intended to convince you to go there; but when on site, his words tell you what you need to know. Buy another guide to cover hotels, restaurants, and cultural attractions. This gives you the roads to travel.
Most of the routes within will not be found in other books. It is the small roads over beautiful, lonely, alpen passes that are John's specialty. Those roads will best serve someone who has gone to the trouble to be riding a motorcycle in Europe. Leave the big cities for another time, when you fly in and take a cab. You are on a bike, in the countryside, take advantage of your strengths. Head for the scenic instead of the chaotic.
By the second day out, you will be penning a letter to John in your head as you pass through some of the most glorious scenery in the world, thanking him for his good work. I say it now......Thanks John.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Motorcyclist's Guide To The European Alps, March 11, 2009

By 

G. R. Ransom "Retired Soldier" (El Paso, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps & Beyond (Paperback)

The author's description of the roads and passes through the Alps is excellent. The book is well written and laid out in preset routes however, it does have a few deficiencies that prevent it from being an all-in-one Alps trip planner. The included maps lack sufficient detail, they are not suitable for route planning so, must be included for illustration only. The index does not list individual European countries, you must know where you are intending to ride in advance and then read about that area. Overall the book is a worthwhile purchase, it will make you want to ride the Alps.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great service, great value, January 10, 2012

By 

Glenna (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps & Beyond (Paperback)

Great book, great service, great value! Very pleased with product. Exactly what we had hoped for. Informative! Will make trip planning much easier. Highly recommended.