Camelia Botnar

What is a GPX file?

A GPX (GPS Exchange Format) file contains the geographical data of a route, including waypoints, tracks, and elevation information. You can use these files with various devices and online services to navigate the route.

Using GPX files on iPad/iPhone

Step 1: Download the GPX File

1. Tap the “Download GPX File” link above
2. Safari will download the file – you’ll see a download icon (arrow pointing down) in the top-right corner
3. Tap the download icon to see your downloaded file
4. The GPX file is now saved in your Downloads folder (accessible via the Files app)

Step 2: Choose Where to Use It

Now you need to import the GPX file into your chosen app or service. Below are detailed step-by-step instructions for the most popular options:

Method A: Import to Strava (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone/iPad
2. Tap “Browse” at the bottom, then tap “Downloads”
3. Find your GPX file (it will have a .gpx extension)
4. Press and hold on the file until a menu appears
5. Tap “Share” from the menu
6. Scroll down and look for “Strava” in the app list
7. Tap “Strava” – this will open Strava and import the route
8. Give the route a name and tap “Save”

Alternative method: Open the Strava app, tap the + button, tap “Route”, then “Import GPX”, and browse to your Downloads folder to select the file.

Official Strava guide

Method B: Import to Garmin Connect (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone/iPad
2. Tap “Browse” at the bottom, then tap “Downloads”
3. Find your GPX file
4. Press and hold on the file until a menu appears
5. Tap “Share”
6. Scroll down and tap “Garmin Connect” (if you don’t see it, tap “More” to enable it)
7. The route will import into Garmin Connect
8. The route will automatically sync to your Garmin device when connected via Bluetooth
9. On your Garmin device, find the route under Navigation → Courses

Alternative method: In Garmin Connect app, tap “More” (three lines), tap “Training”, tap “Courses”, tap the + button, then “Import Course”, and select your GPX file from Downloads.

Official Garmin guide

Method C: Import to Wahoo ELEMNT (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone/iPad
2. Tap “Browse”, then “Downloads”
3. Find your GPX file
4. Press and hold on the file, then tap “Share”
5. Look for the Wahoo app icon in the share sheet
6. Tap “Wahoo” (or “Copy to Wahoo ELEMNT”)
7. The Wahoo app will open and ask where to import the route
8. Tap “Routes” to save it
9. The route will automatically sync to your paired Wahoo device
10. On your Wahoo device, find the route under the Routes menu

Alternative method: In the Wahoo ELEMNT app, tap “Routes”, tap the + button in the top-right, tap “Import Route”, then select your GPX file from Downloads.

Official Wahoo guide

Method D: Import to Komoot (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Komoot app
2. Tap your Profile icon (bottom-right)
3. Tap “Planned”
4. Tap the + button
5. Tap “Import file”
6. Navigate to “Downloads” in the file picker
7. Select your GPX file
8. Komoot will import and display the route
9. You can now use it for navigation on your iPhone or Apple Watch

Official Komoot guide

Method E: Import to Ride with GPS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Ride with GPS app
2. Tap “Routes” at the bottom
3. Tap the menu icon (three lines, top-left)
4. Tap “Import Route”
5. Navigate to your Downloads folder
6. Select your GPX file
7. The route will be added to your account
8. You can now navigate with it or sync to compatible devices

Official Ride with GPS guide

Method F: Import to MapMyFitness (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the MapMyFitness app
2. Tap “Record”
3. Tap “Routes”
4. Tap “Create Route”
5. Tap “Import”
6. Select your GPX file from Downloads
7. The route will be imported and ready to use

Official MapMyFitness guide

Troubleshooting: Can’t Find the App in “Share” Menu?

If you don’t see your app (Strava, Garmin, Wahoo, etc.) when you tap “Share”:

1. Make sure the app is installed on your device
2. Scroll to the right in the app icons row in the Share sheet
3. Tap “More” (three dots) at the end of the apps row
4. Toggle on the app you want to use
5. Try again – the app should now appear in the Share menu

Using with Apple Watch

• WorkOutDoors: This third-party app allows direct GPX imports. Transfer the file via the share sheet, open with WorkOutDoors, and follow the route on your Apple Watch. WorkOutDoors guide
• Komoot: After importing the GPX file into Komoot on your iPhone (Method D above), the route will automatically be available on your Apple Watch through the Komoot Watch app.
• Strava: After importing to Strava on your iPhone, you can see the route on your Apple Watch, though turn-by-turn navigation is limited.

Important Note About Hammerhead Karoo

Hammerhead Karoo users: The Hammerhead mobile app doesn’t support GPX import. You’ll need to use a computer:

1. Visit dashboard.hammerhead.io on a Mac/PC
2. Sign in to your account
3. Click “Routes” → “Upload Route”
4. Select your GPX file
5. The route will sync to your Karoo device automatically

Official Hammerhead guide

Using GPX files on Android Phones

Viewing and Navigation

• Komoot: Download the Komoot app, tap ‘Profile’ → ‘Planned’ → ‘+’ → ‘Import file’, and select your GPX file. Official Komoot guide
• Strava: In the Strava app, tap ‘+’ → ‘Route’ → ‘Import GPX’. Official Strava guide
• Ride with GPS: Open the Ride with GPS app, tap ‘Routes’ → menu icon → ‘Import Route’, and select your GPX file. Official Ride with GPS guide
• MapMyFitness: In the app, go to ‘Record’ → ‘Routes’ → ‘Create Route’ → ‘Import’. Official MapMyFitness guide
• OsmAnd: A popular offline mapping app. Download the GPX file, then open it with OsmAnd. The app will display the route and allow offline navigation.

Transferring to Bike Computers

• Wahoo ELEMNT: Save the GPX file to your device, then use the Wahoo ELEMNT app. Go to ‘Routes’ → ‘Import Route’ → select your GPX file. The route will sync to your Wahoo device. Official Wahoo guide
• Garmin Edge/Watches: Use the Garmin Connect app. Tap ‘More’ → ‘Training’ → ‘Courses’ → ‘+’ → ‘Import Course’, then select your GPX file. The route will sync to your Garmin device. Official Garmin guide
• Hammerhead Karoo: Use the Hammerhead Dashboard website on your computer to upload the GPX file, which will then sync to your Karoo device. Official Hammerhead guide

Using GPX files on Mac/PC

Uploading to Online Services

• Strava: Log in to Strava.com, click ‘Dashboard’ → ‘My Routes’ → ‘Create New Route’ → ‘Upload GPX File’. Official Strava guide
• Ride with GPS: Sign in at RideWithGPS.com, click ‘Routes’ → ‘Add Route’ → ‘Import’, then upload your GPX file. Official Ride with GPS guide
• Komoot: Visit Komoot.com, click ‘Plan’ → ‘Import file’ in the top-right corner, and upload your GPX file. Official Komoot guide
• MapMyFitness: Log in to MapMyFitness.com, go to ‘Routes’ → ‘Create Route’ → ‘Import’. Official MapMyFitness guide
• AllTrails: Sign in at AllTrails.com, click ‘Create’ → ‘Upload GPX’. Note: AllTrails Pro subscription required for GPX upload. Official AllTrails guide

Transferring to Bike Computers via Computer

• Garmin Edge/Watches: Connect your Garmin device via USB cable. Copy the GPX file to the ‘NewFiles’ folder on your device (Garmin/NewFiles/). Disconnect, and the route will appear under ‘Courses’ on your device. Official Garmin guide
• Wahoo ELEMNT: Use the Wahoo ELEMNT companion app on your phone (easier method), or upload via the Wahoo.com website to your account, and it will sync to your device. Official Wahoo guide
• Hammerhead Karoo: Visit dashboard.hammerhead.io, sign in, click ‘Routes’ → ‘Upload Route’, and select your GPX file. The route will sync to your Karoo device. Official Hammerhead guide
• Wahoo BOLT/ROAM: Same process as Wahoo ELEMNT above.

Viewing on Desktop

• Google Earth: Download Google Earth, then drag and drop the GPX file into the application to view the route in 3D.
• GPXSee: A free, open-source GPX viewer for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download from gpxsee.org
• RideWithGPS.com: Even without an account, you can drag and drop a GPX file onto the RideWithGPS homepage to view it.

Troubleshooting

• File won’t open: Ensure the file has a .gpx extension. Some browsers save it as .xml – rename it to .gpx
• Route not displaying correctly: The GPX file may be corrupted. Try downloading it again.
• Device not syncing: Ensure your device has the latest firmware/software updates and that Bluetooth/Wi-Fi is enabled.
• Route appears but won’t navigate: Some services require you to explicitly start navigation mode rather than just viewing the route.

Need more help?

If you’re having trouble using GPX files with a specific device or service, we recommend consulting the official documentation for that service using the links provided above. Most services also have active user forums where you can ask questions.