File Formats Such as GPX and KML
Overview
File formats such as GPX and KML allow hikers to store, share, and visualize routes, tracks, and waypoints across different devices and mapping platforms. Understanding their basic structure and use cases helps with reliable navigation planning.
Key points
- GPX (GPS Exchange Format) is a widely used open standard for exchanging track logs, routes, and waypoints.
- KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is commonly used for displaying geographic data in map viewers and virtual globes.
- Many navigation apps and GPS devices support importing and exporting GPX files for route planning.
- KML files often contain styled map elements, such as colored lines or labeled points, for visual presentation.
- File size, sampling interval, and track detail can affect both storage requirements and readability.
- Being familiar with basic file handling enables hikers to back up and transfer tracks between apps and devices.
- Some platforms use additional formats, but they often provide tools to export or convert to GPX or KML when needed.
- Verifying downloaded GPX or KML files on a trusted map viewer before a trip helps confirm that the data matches expectations.
Details
GPX and KML are among the most recognizable formats for storing digital route information. GPX is commonly used by GPS devices, mapping applications, and online route libraries, and it records information such as waypoints, tracks, and routes in a structured text file. KML is similarly structured but is often associated with visual presentation of routes and geographic features, including customized styling and labels.
For thru hikers, the practical use of these formats usually involves downloading a route file, loading it into a preferred navigation app, and verifying that the route, alternate options, and waypoints appear correctly. Awareness of sampling density, such as how frequently points are recorded along a track, helps balance file size and detail. Regularly backing up important GPX or KML files and checking that they display correctly in multiple apps or on a desktop map viewer can reduce the risk of navigation issues if a primary device or app encounters problems.
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.