Hikers and cyclists who like to map out the most beautiful routes will benefit greatly from GPX Viewer. This mobile app points users in the right direction.
Why GPX Viewer?
All kinds of specialized hiking and cycling websites offer complete route files. Both at home and abroad they serve as excellent guides. Add such a file to GPX Viewer on a mobile device and follow a route along the most beautiful places. This app continuously shows the current position on a map. Furthermore, users notice on the basis of a line whether they are going in the right direction.
Device with GPS
Users need a mobile device with GPS for GPX Viewer. This function is available on the vast majority of smartphones and certain tablets. On the basis of GPS, GPX Viewer accurately determines the current location on earth to a few meters. This is done via a connection to satellites in space. Use GPS to see where you are currently and follow the set route.
Find route file
Using GPX Viewer requires a route file. They can be found all over the internet. Files of thousands of challenging routes exist for the Netherlands alone. Take a look at websites like gpstracks.nl or route.nl and look for a so-called GPS route for the desired region. Most websites offer a gpx file for download. You may first need to register with the website for free. Have you saved the route file on a PC or laptop? Then e-mail the file to yourself, so that you can open it immediately on a mobile device.
Install app
GPX Viewer is available for free for a device with Android. Download this app from the Play Store. On an iPhone, the App Store contains two similar apps under the names Topo GPS and GPS-Viewer. For the latter application, the makers ask a one-off EUR 1.09. This article discusses the route capabilities of GPX Viewer on an Android device and Topo GPS on an iPhone.
- GPX Viewer – Android device
- Topo GPS – iPhone
GPX Viewer on Android
GPX Viewer requests access to the Android device’s location data for the first time. Choose To allow. Open a route now:
- Tap on Open files.
- Tap on To allow.
- GPX Viewer can access saved files. Locate the saved gpx file and tap the file name.
- Tap on OPEN.
Have you emailed the route file to yourself? Then it is sufficient to tap on the gpx file of the e-mail attachment in the mail app. GPX Viewer will automatically open the corresponding route. The blue dot shows your current location. Tap the colored markers to get additional information about the route. Some route files contain all kinds of interesting facts.
Topo GPS on iPhone
Topo GPS requests access to the iPhone’s location data for the first time. Choose When using app. Open a route now:
- Tap the arrow at the bottom right.
- Tap the plus sign at the bottom right.
- Tap at the bottom right Import file.
- Locate the saved gpx file and tap the file name.
Have you emailed the route file to yourself? It is also possible to add the route file to Topo GPS directly from the mail app.
- Tap the gpx file in the email attachment.
- Swipe app icons all the way to the left and tap More.
- If necessary, swipe down a bit and select Copy to Topo GPS.
The red arrow shows your current location. Tap the red dots to request additional information about the route.
record GPS route
Do you know a beautiful route that no one else knows? You may want to share the route data with other hiking or cycling enthusiasts. During the trip, record the route and create a gpx file. The GPX Viewer PRO app is fine for recording the route with an Android device. It costs EUR 4.99 once. For example, to record a route with an iPhone, use the Topo GPS app.