GPX Import: Bring Your Trails Into TrailNote

GPX import lets you bring routes and waypoints from GPS devices, hiking apps, cycling apps, and old map archives into a TrailNote project.

For the full GPX planning workflow, see GPX Route Planner.

When to use this guide

Use GPX import when you already have route data and want to organize it, annotate it, share it, or combine it with new planning work inside TrailNote.

Common sources include:

Garmin exports
Strava route files
AllTrails or outdoor app downloads
Files shared by friends or guides
Old backup files from previous trips

Before you import

Check three things before uploading:

You are in the correct project.
The file is a standard GPX file.
You understand what the file contains: tracks, routes, waypoints, or a mix.

If you import into the wrong project, the data may be harder to clean up later.

Step-by-step

1. Open the destination project

Select or create the project that should receive the GPX data. For a multi-day hike, consider creating folders such as Day 1, Day 2, or Imported Tracks before importing.

2. Start the GPX import

Open the GPX import action from the project controls. Choose your GPX file from your device and confirm the upload.

3. Review what was created

After import, inspect the project tree and map. A GPX file may create routes, markers, or both depending on the original data.

Look for:

Route names that are too generic
Duplicate waypoints
Very dense or messy tracks
Imported items that should be grouped into folders

4. Rename important items

Imported names are often not user-friendly. Rename key routes and markers so they are understandable later.

Bad imported name: Track 001

Better name: Day 1 - Trailhead to Lake Camp

5. Organize imported data

Move related routes and markers into folders. If the GPX file creates many items, organize immediately before adding new planning notes.

6. Check limits and cleanup needs

TrailNote validates imports against project and plan limits. If a file contains too many routes or markers, the import may be blocked or require cleanup.

What the result looks like

A successful import should leave you with visible routes or markers in the selected project, named well enough to recognize, and organized enough that you can continue planning.

Common issues

The import failed. The file may be empty, invalid, too large, or beyond your plan limits.

I do not see anything on the map. The GPX may contain data outside the current map view. Zoom to the imported item or inspect the project tree.

The route looks simplified or incomplete. The source GPX may already be simplified or missing segments. TrailNote can only import the geometry provided in the file.

There are too many tiny segments. Consider simplifying the GPX before import, or organize imported routes into folders immediately after import.

The imported names are unreadable. Rename the important items before sharing or exporting again.

Import GPX Tracks and Waypoints