Navigation Options for Motorcycle Touring in Greece

What Creates Problems: Navigation Tools That Fail in Greece

Garmin GPS Systems

We used Garmin devices alongside TomTom extensively from 2016 through 2022 for route scouting, guided tours, and self-guided tour GPS provisioning. After consistent problems specific to Greek map data, we switched our entire operation to TomTom in 2023.

This is not brand preference or sponsorship. It’s operational necessity based on repeated, documented failures.

If you’re accustomed to reliable Garmin performance in the US, Canada, or Northern Europe, Greece presents different challenges. The issues are not with the hardware—they stem from Garmin’s map data for Greece specifically.

Problems we encountered consistently:

1. Road continuity gaps

Routes in rural and mountain areas showed broken connectivity within Garmin’s map data. The device could not plot a continuous path along roads that physically existed and were fully rideable. This forced manual rerouting mid-ride.

2. Incorrect one-way designations

In towns and villages, Garmin’s data sometimes reversed one-way street directions. The device would route you down a street that was actually one-way in the opposite direction—creating safety issues and forcing illegal maneuvers or backtracking.

3. Off-road routing on paved-only settings

Even with settings configured for paved roads only, Garmin repeatedly routed through dangerous single-track off-road sections in mountain areas. These weren’t maintained gravel roads—they were technical trails completely unsuitable for touring motorcycles.

4. Non-existent roads

The map showed roads that did not exist in reality. Following Garmin’s routing occasionally led to literal dead ends where the “road” on the map was actually private property, an abandoned path, or simply never built.

5. Illogical route selection

Garmin would sometimes choose roads no motorcyclist would deliberately ride—poorly maintained, unnecessarily difficult, or adding significant distance—when better alternatives existed.

Why this matters operationally:

These aren’t minor inconveniences. They cause mental fatigue, add unplanned difficulty to touring days, create safety risks in remote areas, and undermine confidence in your navigation system exactly when you need to trust it most.

We tested extensively. We updated maps and firmware religiously. We adjusted every available setting. We consulted Garmin documentation and other experienced riders who reported identical problems in Greece. Nothing resolved the fundamental map data issues.

If you already own a Garmin and plan to use it in Greece:

You can mitigate some risks with careful route preparation:

• Cross-check every route in Basecamp against Google Maps. Google’s routing isn’t perfect, but it’s significantly more reliable than Garmin’s for Greek roads. If Garmin’s suggested route differs substantially from Google’s using the same waypoints, investigate why before riding it.
• Update to the latest Greece map version available from Garmin. This won’t eliminate the problems, but it may reduce their frequency.
• Load OpenStreetMap data as a secondary map. It’s free and sometimes more accurate than Garmin’s official maps. If your primary routing fails (dead end, impassable track, broken road continuity), switch to OpenStreetMap and attempt to plot an alternate route from your current position.
• Expect problems and plan accordingly. Allow extra time in your daily schedule. Carry backup navigation (phone with offline maps). Don’t rely solely on Garmin in remote areas.

This approach reduces risk but does not eliminate it. You are working around fundamental data problems, not solving them.

Automatic “Curvy Route” Apps

Motorcycle-specific routing apps that automatically generate “curvy routes” sound appealing. The promise is simple: enable one feature and let the algorithm find the best riding roads in an unfamiliar area.

The reality is more complicated.

These apps know one thing: curves. They analyze map data for road geometry—turns, switchbacks, elevation change—and prioritize routes with more of these characteristics.

They don’t know anything else.

A good motorcycle route isn’t just about curves on a map. What makes a road genuinely excellent for riding includes factors these apps cannot evaluate:

• Road surface quality — Is the pavement smooth or deteriorating? Are there potholes, gravel patches, or broken sections?
• Scenery and views — Does the road offer compelling landscapes, or is it tree-lined with no visibility?
• Road character — Is it flowing and rhythmic, or tight and technical? Does it suit your riding style?
• Real-world timing — How long does this route actually take, accounting for surface conditions, traffic, and difficulty?
• Local rider knowledge — Which roads do experienced riders seek out, and which do they avoid despite appearing good on the map?

Without this information, an automatically generated “curvy route” can range from mediocre to genuinely problematic.

Dangerous time estimation errors:

This is where auto-routing apps create actual safety risks, not just disappointing rides.

Example from testing in the Pindus Mountains:

Route: Zagori region to Pramanta (a route we use in our tours)

• Auto-routing app estimate: 110 km, 2 hours
• Actual time for experienced local rider: 3+ hours minimum (no stops)
• Realistic time for international visitor, on unfamiliar roads: 4 hours (no stops)

Why does this matter?

This route crosses the Pindus Mountain Range—one of the most remote, rugged areas in Greece. If you plan your day based on a 2 hour estimate, you might:

• Add more waypoints, making the route even longer
• Schedule afternoon arrival, leaving margin for sightseeing
• Start late, assuming you have time to spare

Then reality arrives. You’re an hour or more from your destination, deep in the Pindus, and it’s getting dark.

You do not want to be riding these mountain roads at night. Infrastructure is minimal. Medical facilities are distant. Mechanical support is nonexistent. Villages are sparse and, during weekdays, many are nearly empty. If something goes wrong—mechanical failure, an accident, anything—being stranded in the dark because you trusted an app’s time estimate is a situation we would never accept for our own riding.

How to use these apps (if at all) :

If you use automatic curvy routing apps in Greece:

• Ignore the time estimates. Add 30-50% to any time the app suggests. For technical mountain routes, assume 50%. For less demanding terrain with good roads, 30% might suffice.
• Cross-reference routes. Compare what the app suggests against Google Maps and reports from other riders. If the auto-generated route differs significantly, investigate why.
• Treat generated routes as starting points, not final plans. Review the actual roads selected and adjust based on your research, risk tolerance, and schedule.

The Real Challenge: Route Quality, Not Getting Lost

Most international riders touring Greece won’t experience true “I have no idea where I am” situations. GPS satellites work, cell towers exist, signs are present, and Greeks are helpful if you need to ask directions.

The actual navigation challenge is riding routes that are wrong for your trip, your bike, or your skill level—and discovering this after you’re already committed.

Wrong routes create:

• Wasted time on roads that add distance without adding value
• Unexpected difficulty when apps route you through technical sections you didn’t plan for
• Schedule pressure from inaccurate time estimates
• Safety concerns when you’re riding unfamiliar, challenging roads at dusk because timing assumptions failed

This is why navigation planning for Greece requires more than just “get a GPS and go.” You need to understand which tools produce reliable results for Greek conditions, and where the common failure modes occur.

Practical Navigation Strategy

For most riders, a working approach combines:

• Primary navigation: Google Maps or TomTom GPS with offline maps downloaded
• Backup method: Secondary device with downloaded offline maps (phone if using GPS, or vice versa)
• Route research: Cross-check planned routes against rider reports, forums, and local recommendations before departure
• Time buffering: Add 30-50% to any app-estimated travel time for mountain routes
• Emergency contact: Save local emergency numbers and your accommodation contacts

If using Garmin: Follow the mitigation steps outlined earlier, accept elevated risk, and plan accordingly.

If using auto-routing apps: Treat them as suggestion engines, not navigation systems. Verify routes independently and adjust time estimates aggressively.

Cell coverage reality: Most of Greece has adequate coverage. Remote mountain areas (Pindus, interior Peloponnese) can have gaps. Offline maps eliminate this variable

Key Takeaway

You won’t get lost in Greece in the traditional sense. But you can easily end up following routes that make your trip harder, longer, or more stressful than it needs to be—purely because your navigation tool lacked the local knowledge or accurate data to choose wisely.

Choose navigation tools that work reliably for Greek touring conditions. Cross-check routes before riding them. Add time buffers for mountain days. Keep backup navigation available.

The goal isn’t just reaching your destination. It’s reaching it via routes that match your expectations and capabilities, within a schedule that doesn’t force risky decisions.