[stokell]

I've booked my vacation. I'm touring in Germany starting the middle of April. I'm still having trouble finding good quality maps of the North Rhine/Westphalia region of Germany. I'm looking for detailed bike maps or maps similar to the English OS charts that show a lot of detail. It would be preferred if they also showed bike paths and routes. OS maps also show public houses (pubs). That would be a plus. So far all the on-line sites have come to nought. Downloadable maps for my GPS are useless since I don't have a GPS.

Sadly, my German is poor and I have difficulty understanding German-only web sites. Do have an angel out there to help me?

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[Mr B]

There is a series of German bike maps called KOMPASS. They have maps for almost all of Germany. They are in every German bookstore I've been in. The only problem I have with them is they are 1:50,000 in scale and they're in German. They do show some hotels, campgrounds, bike rentals, etc. as well as all the trails. There are also maps from a few other companies. I don't recall seeing any here in English. If I see any I'll let you know. Also, you might try the ADFC (German Bike Club) at http://www.adfc.de/. Just email them, I'm sure someone there speaks English.

[YaGonna]

Hi,

there is an existing website where you can plan your bike tour online. It's hosted here (http://www.radroutenplaner.nrw.de/).

Cheers,
YaGonna

[stokell]

Hi,

there is an existing website where you can plan your bike tour online. It's hosted here (http://www.radroutenplaner.nrw.de/).

Cheers,
YaGonna

Okay, I didn't really want to go digital because I don't fully understand GPSs, but I must admit this site got me really interested. The only problem is, if I buy a GPS in Canada, will I be able to download and use those German maps? They seem to be available in two different formats. What does that mean?

[Europe Rider]

If you go into any book store in any train station and they certainly will have a large selection of bike maps. As previously posted most are 1:50,000 however, it is not hard to find 1:15,000. That coupled with the FACT that Germany is so well sign posted on its bike routes that you almost don't need a map (but it would be stupid to go without). Though I live in Germany I too speak next to no German, just learn a few key phrases and 90% of all Germans will bend over backwards to speak English to you as long as you don't walk up and speak English from the start they are very receptive to you. Also, if it helps, try using google translate to get a good understanding of what you are looking at on the German websites.

If you can't figure anything out, you can tell me exactly the areas you require and I can pick them up for you and mail them back to the states to you. Since I am military I have access to the USPS and can mail them back cheaply.