Can you plan motorbike tours using Google Maps?

Why standard sat-nav fails on pass roads – and how you can still get the best of both worlds with just one click.

Anyone with a smartphone uses Google Maps. Whether you’re heading to the nearest petrol station, your hotel or trying to avoid the Friday afternoon traffic jam on the motorway, there’s hardly a better tool.

But what happens when we put on our motorbike gear, pop on our helmets and want to plan a day trip through the Alps via the Stelvio Pass, Passo di Gavia and Bernina Pass? Can you plan proper motorbike tours with Google Maps?

The short answer: No, not very well. For example, alpine passes are only difficult to find. Good stop-offs and points of interest (POIs) are even harder to come by.

The good news: You still don’t have to do without Google Maps’ brilliant live navigation on your mobile.

The problem: Google Maps wants to get you to your destination quickly – we want the route via the Alpine passes and points of interest.

Google Maps was developed for commuters, lorries and car drivers. The algorithm is trained to guide you from A to B via the quickest and most efficient route. This isn’t very helpful for motorbike tours.

No sense of bends: Google Maps favours wide main roads, bypasses and motorways. The small, winding alpine passes and side roads are systematically ignored by the algorithm.

The 10-waypoint limit: When planning a route, Google Maps allows a maximum of ten waypoints. Anyone wanting to map out a challenging Alpine circuit with numerous Alpine passes will immediately hit a wall.

The re-routing dilemma: If you miss a turn-off whilst on the road or take a brief detour, Google Maps recalculates the route in a flash – and promptly sends you back onto the motorway instead of via the planned Alpine pass.

The solution: Perfectly curated (with plenty of additional information, images, videos and facts) – and set off with a single click in Google Maps

This is precisely why we have developed our motorcycle tour planner “Alpine Passes Atlas”. It bridges the gap between professional, curated, personalised motorcycle tour planning and the navigation system that everyone already has in their pocket.

How does it all work together?

Detailed route planning with a comprehensive database of Alpine passes and high-altitude roads, including even gravel tracks, plus plenty of ideas for additional stops:
In our motorbike tour planner, routes are specifically designed according to motorbike criteria: pass heights, winding valleys, panoramic views and road surfaces that make riding a joy.

One-click transfer to Google Maps:

You plan your ideal tour or choose one of our ready-made day trips. With a single click, the fully configured route opens directly in your Google Maps app on your smartphone – without having to manually type in waypoints or laboriously place pins.

Tip: And if you prefer to keep your mobile in your pocket, get a display for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto that you can easily mount in the cockpit and which mirrors Google Maps from your mobile. For example: Aioocci – compatible with many motorbike brands without the need for separate connections or additional costs.

Your benefits at a glance:

No need for tedious GPX imports: You don’t have to convert files, send them by email or upload them to third-party apps.
Live traffic included: You’ll continue to benefit from up-to-date roadworks and traffic updates in real time, even in Google Maps.
No expensive additional hardware: Your smartphone on the handlebars (or on the display via Apple CarPlay | Android Auto) is all you need.
Guaranteed riding enjoyment: You’ll ride exactly the route we’ve mapped out for Alpine pass enthusiasts – without the risk of the sat-nav directing you onto the motorway through the valley.

Conclusion: The perfect combination for your next motorbike tour through the Alps.
Google Maps is excellent for navigating, but absolutely terrible for planning motorbike tours.
Leave the route planning to our free “Alpine Passes Atlas Motorbike Tour Planner” – click on “Open in Google Maps” – and enjoy the bends.

Plan your motorbike tour now and start it in Google Maps with a single click