Hike-and-Bike maps are distinguished by

• Good map contrast
• Clear road types and paths
• Routing capabilities
• Subtle contour lines
• Soft shading
• Numerous points of interest (POI)
• These maps are used in recreational activity
• Regular map updates
• Ability to test before purchasing
• Reliable data sources
• Map samples / Screenshots

Contrast

Special care is taken to make sure different elements on the map are clearly distinguishable. This guarantees that maps are easy to read, and that important information can be quickly recognized, avoiding confusion due to similar colors or forms.

This is a key feature of Hike-and-Bike maps — a strong map contrast provided by careful color choices, brightness, and form.

Road Types and Paths

Hike-and-Bike maps pay great attention to distinguishing road types and paths.

This is a major distinguishing feature of Hike-and-Bike maps — line thickness, color, style, and labeling enable users to quickly and accurately identify the different road and path types.

Navigation / Routing

Navigation is the result of technical positioning, complete and up-to-date map data, smart routing algorithms, and a clear presentation for the user. Using a Garmin GPS together with Hike-and-Bike maps, for instance, allows for convenient and reliable routing — a key functionality and a general expectation for users.

Some additional factors are also crucial for routing:
the quality of the data (road network, one-way streets, private roads and paths, obstacles, road and path types) — and especially the routing algorithm — enable the software to calculate the best route to the destination (fastest, shortest, most environmentally friendly, or most suitable for the vehicle).

Contour Lines

Contour lines connect points of equal elevation. They enable representation of the landscape’s relief in two dimensions — adding crucial information for orientation, route planning, and safety, especially where pure map imagery cannot show slopes or drops.

This is a major advantage of Hike-and-Bike maps — they aid in understanding the terrain’s structure, which is especially helpful for hikers, bikers, and other outdoor lovers.

Shading

Relief shading — sometimes called hill shading — helps make the landscape’s form more vivid and easy to interpret. It involves adding shadow-like effects to show elevations, ridges, or valleys.

This is another strong feature of Hike-and-Bike maps, as it significantly improves visualization, orientation, and route planning by adding depth — just as if you were looking at the landscape from above.

Point of Interest (POI)

POI stands for “Point of Interest” — locations that are relevant or helpful for users.

Hike-and-Bike maps are rich in points of interest, including:

• Restaurants, hotels, campsites, refuges
• ATMs, embassies, markets, grocery stores
• Viewpoints, springs, museums, libraries, schools
• Recreational parks, zoos, cultural sites, historical buildings
• Filling stations, train stations, hospitals
• Picnic sites, restrooms, water stations, playgrounds, ruins, lighthouses, fire pits, and much more.

Map Users — Who Are These Maps For?

Hike-and-Bike maps are designed for recreational users — especially for:

• Cyclists: For navigating safely, following well-marked routes, or exploring new terrain.
• Bike tourists: For planning their routes and navigating in unknown areas.
• Pedestrians, hikers, runners: For orienteering, route planning, or following a previously recorded route.
• Tourists: To aid in sightseeing, to find hotels, restaurants, or points of interest.
• Geocaching: For a game that involves following GPS coordinates. Here, accurate geographic information and mapping are crucial.

Map Updates

The Hike-and-Bike maps are updated quarterly — four times a year, at the start of each quarter (January, April, July, October).

Try Before You Buy

Not sure whether Hike-and-Bike maps meet your needs or will work on your GPS device or computer?

No problem. You can try a selection of free maps.

These are:
Guernsey and Jersey
Isle of Man
Liechtenstein
Moldova
Ukraine

Source Data

The data used for creating Hike-and-Bike maps comes from OpenStreetMap (OSM).
OpenStreetMap is a renowned open-source project — much like Wikipedia — but for geographic information.
OSM data is free to use and is integrated into numerous applications, including Hike-and-Bike.

Improve Map Quality

Want to help improve OSM’s map data? It’s easy for everyone.

• Get involved with OSM: Register, select your region, and add or correct information (such as buildings, street names, or opening hours).
• Tools: You can use the browser editor (iD) or JOSM for more advanced contributions.
• Data Quality: Always add information you know from your own experience — and respect copyrights.
• Exchange: You can ask questions in OSM’s forum or collaborate in local mapping groups.

Routing and Navigation

OSM’s data is already at a high level — especially in urban areas, in Europe, or in large metropolitan areas. Many routing apps (such as OsmAnd, GraphHopper, Magic Earth, Komoot) base their routing completely or in part on OSM data. The data’s quality varies by region, with some gaps in rural or remote areas.

OSM is often superior to commercial data for recreational routes, trails, or for adding a high degree of local detail. The OSM community constantly contributes new information, thereby improving its quality day by day.

A collection of screenshots from Basecamp to give an idea of ​​what the maps look like on the computer. The screenshots are in different scales and levels of detail. Individual images can be enlarged.

A collection of screenshots from the Garmin Edge 1000 to give you an idea of ​​what the maps look like on the navigation device. The screenshots are in varying levels of detail. Individual images can be enlarged.