What can you do with GPX tracks/routes? A Brief Introduction

The prime reason for providing tracks/routes is to let you transfer them primarily to a phone App
to use to follow the route or to use in planning a walk based on the GPX track.

You do not need to have any great understanding of GPX files.
They are simply a way of transfering walk details between computers or phones.

However it is useful to understand that:-
-  a "Track" is a record of an actual route that was recorded during a real walk so is (or was) physically possible.
- a "Route" is a planned route for a walk. It may not be physically possible or even exist.
                   Note: sometimes the Tracks on this site have been converted to Routes for technical reasons.
                             However, all the tracks/routes on here are based on recordings of actual viable walks.
- a "GPX file" is a file that contains the details of a track or route.
                        these contain a list of "points"(called "Waypoints") making up the track/route.

(if you like to understand such things, open a GPX file with Notepad and you will be
able to identify the "points" which are shown as Lat/Lon pairs with Elevation and time,
plus a pile of other unintelligible stuff!)

By far the easiest way to use GPX files is to:-

- download the route from this site.

- Open the website for OutdoorActive or OS Map systems or similar app. (see below)

- "Import" the GPX file to that website.

- Edit it if required.

- It will appear on your phone in the relevant App.

- Use the APP to follow the route.

If you are not familiar with "Mapping" Apps, we would suggest it is a wortwhile investment in time.
If you look in the "Technology" section on this website there is documentation on how to use either OS Maps or OutdoorActive Apps.
We also occassionally provide workshops on these apps and map reading.

If these options are not available to you, you can also "view" the track in some maps.

If you use the "Map of GPX Walks" or "GPX Walk Collection"  and click on the name of the tracks/routes, it will open a new page showing the track on a map.

Read the information on the page to have a look at the height profile of the route.
This map is one of the best ways to explore a GPX file.
Look at the various options shown by the arrows.

 
Look for   "Download GPX for this Route HERE"   and click the HERE to download the GPX file.

Different forms of Windows or Mac show downloads in different ways that are beyond detailing here.

You can also view the GPX file as a track/route on the computer using either  Google Earth, or GPSvisuliser.

To use Google Earth:-

-Open Google Earth (you have to download it if you haven't done so).
-Click on "Open" 
-Click the File Type box and select  "GPS...."

-Then file and select a gpx file and Click "Open".
-A dialog box will open it is important to tick the "Create KML linestrings" or only "points" will be shown.

The route will then be displayed and can be explored.
Often it is possible to have a sense of how viable or well used a path is.

 To use GPSvisuliser:-
This is a web site that accepts GPX files and displays them on a variety of free to use maps.
As long as you respect and show the copyright it appears you may print the map.
(not really suitable for use to guide you around a walk, just an aid.)

Open this web site   http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/map_input
-Look for the "Upload your GPX files here" section, middle right of the site.
-Click on "Choose a File" and select a GPX file, then click "Open".
-Then CLick on "Draw the Map".

With the map showing, there is a box at the top right which lets different types of map to be displayed.