Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps and Beyond

$29.95

Order Code: HERM4

Author: John Hermann

John Hermann’s fourth edition of Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps & Beyond is the complete resource for any traveler to this part of Europe. Now covering more area than any previous edition, John “King of the Alps” Hermann brings nearly 100 trips to life. Everything has been updated: Hermann’s fun-to-read text has been thoroughly refreshed, with more new trips in the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa mountain ranges, the maps now have mountain relief backgrounds to view the exciting changes in topography, and Hermann has added spectacular new pictures.

Download a Free Preview!

Anyone considering or dreaming of a European trip on two wheels needs this book. Riders of all brands of bikes the world over have kept Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps in their tank bags ever since the first edition in 1993. And no wonder: all of the important roads and passes are described and critiqued. Every region of the Alps is covered: Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and other special Alpine lookalike places such as Corsica, Slovenia, and the Pyrenees are included. Each trip has a detailed route description, easy-to-follow maps, and unique photographs—all brought to life by Hermann’s informed and witty narration. Local customs, history, and amusing travel anecdotes dot every page to enrich your journey.

About the Author

Known in motorcycling 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.

When he’s not riding, he surfs, snorkels, appraises real estate, enjoys the piano, and for 18 years he sang with the San Diego Opera (always commuting to rehearsals and performances by bike). Twice he’s participated in the riding school at the Nurburgring in Germany. In California, he has been to riding schools at Willow Springs and Laguna Seca, and is a celebrated member of the San Diego BMW Club.

Product Detail

Paperback: 416 pages

Format: 5.5 by 8.5 inches, full color maps and illustrations

Dedication
Foreword
Worth a Special Journey
Around Andermatt
- Andermatt
  - Furka, Grimsel, Susten
  - St. Gotthard, Nufenen, Furka
  - Oberalp, Lukmanier, St. Gotthard
  - Klausen, Pragel, the 'eggs'
West of Andermatt
- The Berner Oberland
  - Switzerland’s Yosemite
  - North of Interlaken
  - Gurnigel
  - Trimbach bei Olten
- Leysin/Villars
  - Simmen Tal and Jaun Pass
  - Three Cols and a Route
  - The Swiss Jura
- Mont Blanc Region
  - Valley of the Rhone
  - All Around Mont Blanc
  - Val d’Aosta
- Lac d’Annecy
  - Lac d’Annecy
  - The French Jura
  - South of Lac D’Annecy
  - Straight South over Three Cols
  - The Crest Route South
- Grenoble Highs
  - Alpe d’Huez
  - Route Napoleon
  - All Around the Vercors Massif
- The Gray Alps
  - Around Guillestre
  - Agnel, Sampeyre, and Lombarde
- Some High Stuff
  - Three Highs
  - La Bonnette
  - Around Lac De Serre-Poncon
- Provence
  - Twisting to Vence
  - Grand Canyon du Verdon
  - Mont Ventoux
South of Andermatt
- Lago Maggiore
  - Passo San Gottardo
  - Passo del San Bernardino
  - Simplon Pass
  - Valle Maggia
  - Highs Over Lago Maggiore
East of Andermatt
- St. Moritz
  - Vorderrhein (the ‘Front Rhine’)
  - Hinterrhein (the ‘Back Rhine’)
  - Albula Pass Connections
  - Italian Connections, Stelvio
  - Duty-Free Livigno & Passo di Gavia
- Sud Tirol
  - Timmels Joch
  - Reschen Pass
  - Merano
  - One Lane Roads Across Sud Tirol
  - Adamello Brenta National Park
- Riva and Lago di Garda
  - Pieve and Passo di Tremalzo
  - Monte Velo and Monte Baldo
  - The High Road West
  - The Low Road West
- The Dolomites
  - Dolomite Figure 8
  - Dolomites: Giau and Marmolada
  - I Dare You; 17 Passes in One Day
  - Southern Dolomites
  - Adige Canyon
  - Monte Grappa
  - Cortina
  - Austrian Connections
- Liechtenstein
  - Liechtenstein
  - Santis and Schwagalp
  - Western Austria
- Austrian Tirol
  - Innsbruck Passes
  - Obscure Tiroler Roads
- Deutsche Alpenstrasse
  - Deutsche Alpenstrasse West
  - Deutsche Alpenstrasse East
- Eastern Tirol
  - Achen Pass and the Ziller Tal
  - Passes From Italy
- Salzburg Land
  - Grossglockner
  - Post Alm
  - Filzmoos and Tauern Passes
- Karnten Land and Steiermark
  - Turracher and Nockalm
  - Klippitztorl and Hochosterwitz
  - Deutschlandberg Figure 8
  - Near Wien
  - Three Country Loop
  - Dodging Slovenia
Beyond Andermatt
- Corsica
  - Col de Vergio to Porto
  - Calvi
  - Les Calanche
  - Bonifacio
  - Vizzavona and Restonica
  - Col de Verde and Col de Bavella
  - St. Florent
  - Cap Corse
- Pyrenees and Picos
  - Andorra
  - Carcassonne
  - Val d’Aran
  - Lourdes Highs
  - Fuente De in the Picos de Europa
  - Mirador del Fito
Appendices
- Good Stuff to Know
- Hotels
- Alps Pass Bagging List
- Special Little Roads
- Other European Goals
- So, How About a Bike?
- An Organized Tour?
- Glossary
- About the Author

Customer & Editorial Reviews:

Reviewer: Road Signs, October 2008

Date Added: Thursday 15 January, 2009

Now I have my copy of the Fourth Edition and I must say, as much as I’ve enjoyed the first three, this one is not just an evolution of the former, but a revolution in concept. From the layout and format, to the photos and maps, to the tables and contact lists, and of course the stories of the culture and history of the Alpine regions of Europe, this book offers more than any of the others did.

If offers more destinations as well. In addition to the Alps and the Dolomites, John added Corsica to the Third Edition. Forth the Fourth Edition he’s added the stunning roads of the Spanish Pyrenees and Picos Europa. I have several motorcycle guide books for the Alps in addition to John’s. They are all written by Europeans for Europeans and so, while they offer a nice European feel, they provide little if any of the information of interest to Americans traveling in Europe. Little things the European driver takes for granted, such as rules of the road and navigational tips, John explains in detail in MJTA&B. European travelers need little instruction on how to phone home, how to decipher country codes and phone numbers, or the European format for writing addresses. They require no assistance with customs and cultures, how to order something in the restaurant, or an explanation as to why there is no ice in their soft drinks or refills of their coffee. John covers all of this and so much more.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each and every edition of Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps. This one goes beyond. Buy it, read it, enjoy it!

Reviewer: RoadBike, October 2008

Date Added: Tuesday 26 August, 2008

...one of those rare treasures, a guidebook that does more than point the way from the comfort and safety of distance. John Hermann has actually ridden each and every one of these roads, and because the landscapes (both physical and political) keep changing, the author keeps finding new and different ways to get to where he’s going...

More than 100 fantastic two-wheeled road trips are showcased here.

...Best of all, in addition to describing in detail some of the most gorgeous, quaint, and/or beautiful places in Europe, Hermann gets you there via some of the best motorcycling roads in the world. Above all, this is a motorcycle rider’s tour book.

...this is definitely a new and improved volume, full of updated and refreshed information on roads and rides.

Reviewer: Rider, October 2008

Date Added: Monday 25 August, 2008

If you are going to the Alps, bring this book, whether you are taking a group tour or wandering on your own. There may never be another guide to motorcycling in the Alps as complete as those written by John Hermann.

If you are on your own it is indispensable, and if you are travelling with a tour, it allows you to go off and have your own adventure.

...Even if you have never thought of riding the Alps, read this book and you will be sorely tempted.

—Review by Clement Salvadori

Reviewer: Free 2 Wheel, July/August 2008

Date Added: Tuesday 29 July, 2008

Hermann’s latest is a godsend for anyone planning a motorcycle trip in the alps and a motivator for anyone who is not. Simply pick the region you will be in, and the best riding routes are a page turn away.

- This review refers to the previous 3rd edition

Reviewer: CMGOnline.com, July 2008

Date Added: Thursday 17 July, 2008

Hermann's book covers pretty well all the Alpine passes with selected routes and backs them up with a narration of the route, a pretty decent map and colour photos to boot.