How to Save and Open a GPS Route on Your Phone

Many of the hikes featured on this website feature GPS routes at the bottom of the guide. These routes can be used on your personal phone or GPS device, allowing you to live track your location to ensure you are on the right route. Each guide has a Google Map link that can be easily used on your phone, and an additional download option for those preferring to use another app, such as AllTrails.

Read on to learn how you can use the GPS routes provided on your phone.

Following the Trail Using Google Maps on Your Phone

Google Maps is an excellent option for those without a dedicated GPS app, as Google Maps is completely free to use and is available on virtually all phones. One downside to Google Maps is the lack of trails featured. All maps featured on this website work on Google Maps, but side trails are often not visible on the map. Google Maps is great for people who want to follow the hiking guides exactly, but is limited for those who want to explore a little more.

Your location is live-tracked on the map to ensure you stay on the correct path. Information on how to use these maps is provided below.

Saving a Google Map on a Phone

Note: This guide is for Android devices, iOS devices are likely similar

1. Click on the “View Larger Map” button on the top right.
2. Google Maps will automatically open the map if you have the app installed.

Open a Previously Saved Map on a Phone

Note: This guide is for Android devices, iOS devices are likely similar

1. Open Google Maps and click on the “You” button on the bottom.
2. Click on the“Maps” button on the bottom left.
3. Click on the map you want to open. The most recently opened map is shown on top by default
4. The chosen map will automatically open
5. As you hike, your location will be automatically updated, ensuring you stay on the correct route.

Exiting an Open Map on a Phone

Note: This guide is for Android devices, iOS devices are likely similar

1. Click on the “Map Type” button on the top right
2. Click on the open map at the bottom under “Explore”
3. The map will automatically clear from the screen. If you want to reopen the map at a later point, follow the directions described above under “Open a Previously Saved Map”

Downloading and Opening A KML File

KML (Keystone Markup Language) files are also provided in the majority of posts. These files are ideal for those who prefer to use a different service other than Gaia or Google Maps. These files can be imported into most web-based GPS services such as AllTrails, Caltopo, Strava, onX and more. Additionally, these files can be imported into handheld GPS devices such as those made by Garmin. Instructions are provided below for the two most popular apps below. The process is likely similar for other services as well.

AllTrails

Note that you cannot import a file using the free version of the AllTrails app, it is still possible to do this on a desktop as described below

1. Download the KML file by clicking on it
2. Log onto AllTrails
3. Locate the “Explore” tab on the top of any page
4. Click “build custom route“
5. A map will appear with a window on the left. Scroll down and click “upload a route“
6. Choose the downloaded file which will be imported onto the map.

Gaia

Desktop

1. Download the KML file by clicking on it
2. Log onto Gaia GPS and go to the map
3. Locate the options menu on the upper right corner (shown as your profile picture or an outline of a person as a placeholder)
4. Scroll down until you find “upload“
5. The page will refresh with a new button labeled “select files“
6. Click on the button and choose the downloaded file which will be imported onto the map

Mobile

1. Download the KML file by clicking on it
2. After it is downloaded, an “open” pop-up will appear. Click it
3. A list of compatible apps will appear. Click on Gaia and the map will automatically be imported
4. If the “open” button did not appear, open the Gaia app.
5. Click “Saved” on the bottom of the page
6. On the top right, ensure the menu is set to “All” or “Tracks.” If it is not, click on the menu and change it to the appropriate choice
7. Click the three dots next to “All” or “Tracks” and choose “Import File“
8. Choose the downloaded file, which will be imported onto the map