- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
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It never actually occurred to me that I might be following someone who went the wrong way.OK, I'm not completely tech ignorant.
But I've never used GPS tracks before.
Is there a Dummy's guide somewhere on their use?
Like.
What app to use.
Where to download tracks.
How to use whilst walking.
I've had a look at wikiloc which seems to be a common one used by Pilgrims.
and for example I might look for tracks for the VdlP.
and 9,540 come up.
How do you decide which is a good one to use, and who went the wrong way!
And if there is a good 'author' of some tracks, can you select that person to use each day?
Or do you have to look for different tracks every day / section.
Dumb questions I know...........
Is there an idiots guide somewhere?
If I'm not mistaken, you are planning the Via de la Plata. Each application has a GPS (KML, KMZ) track in addition to other very useful information. I used "Buen Camino", "Camino de Santiago" (Eroski Consumer), "Via de la Plata" from Peregrino Online (you can try the free version and then if you like it, pay "premium"). That even without an application - that you only have a track. I recommend maps.me - for me it turned out to be better than Google maps or Wikiloc, a big advantage is that it works without internet connection once you download the map.
The page on which there are some links for the track without the application: https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/camino-de-santiago/routes/download-GPX-KML.html https://www.onestepthenanother.com/...mmended-apps-and-maps-for-camino-de-santiago/Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago
Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiagowww.caminoguide.net
Buen Camino!
I used "Buen Camino", "Camino de Santiago" (Eroski Consumer), "Via de la Plata" from Peregrino Online
Hi,What app to use.
Where to download tracks.
How to use whilst walking.
@Robo, as someone who is self taught, I have done most of my learning by getting out and using a handheld GPS on local walks, and then searched for suitable maps, routes and tracks before each of my pilgrimages. I eschewed the early smartphones - battery life using GPS was poor, and I preferred to keep my phone for calls, and carry a handheld with my maps, routes and tracks.Is there a Dummy's guide somewhere on their use?
Like.
What app to use.
Where to download tracks.
How to use whilst walking.
This app includes access to hundreds of Camino de Santiago tracks, they are quite reliable.
Download GPX, KML tracks from here::
https://www.santiago.nl/downloads/ option to translate from Dutch at top of webpage!
You need offline map app like Osmand (uses GPX) or Maps me (uses KML)or the like!
Download GPX track from the website to your computer send an email to yourself on phone/tablet with the GPX file as attachment !
Open the file in the email on your phone /tablet and you should be asked where you want to open it ,if you have the above two apps for example choose your favourite app!
Gpx viewer should open it in the map app OSMAND!
Or alternatively KML file for Maps me/Google Earth!
If it doesn't check the download manager!
Well that's what i did for my coastal i am no expert!
(In Osmand which is what i used (it has voice navigation for walking and lots of other choices like add direction arrows,avoid steps, shows street lighting, transport, accommodation ,cafes etc) download all Caminos in Portugal and in the navigation options FOLLOW TRACK it gives them all as individual tracks choose COASTAL!)
Hope this helps: others are more tech savvy than mebut you will defo get help.
Hi RoboOK, I'm not completely tech ignorant.
But I've never used GPS tracks before.
Is there a Dummy's guide somewhere on their use?
Like.
What app to use.
Where to download tracks.
How to use whilst walking.
I've had a look at wikiloc which seems to be a common one used by Pilgrims.
and for example I might look for tracks for the VdlP.
and 9,540 come up.
How do you decide which is a good one to use, and who went the wrong way!
And if there is a good 'author' of some tracks, can you select that person to use each day?
Or do you have to look for different tracks every day / section.
Dumb questions I know...........
Is there an idiots guide somewhere?
Wise Pilgrim app as well has many specific camino tracks and is free and I have found accurate..for the Olvidado tracks are in the Camino Olvidado app and I think they are Enders - and they are needed for that one...If I'm not mistaken, you are planning the Via de la Plata. Each application has a GPS (KML, KMZ) track in addition to other very useful information. I used "Buen Camino", "Camino de Santiago" (Eroski Consumer), "Via de la Plata" from Peregrino Online (you can try the free version and then if you like it, pay "premium"). That even without an application - that you only have a track. I recommend maps.me - for me it turned out to be better than Google maps or Wikiloc, a big advantage is that it works without internet connection once you download the map.
The page on which there are some links for the track without the application: https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/camino-de-santiago/routes/download-GPX-KML.html https://www.onestepthenanother.com/...mmended-apps-and-maps-for-camino-de-santiago/Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago
Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiagowww.caminoguide.net
Buen Camino!
Warning: off topic!I am still using wordperfect and have never figured out word, so that tells you something.
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Without a doubt use this app. Go to the App Store or Google Play and download the app. It is super easy to use and there is lots of useful things on it for your VDLP, hostels, albergues, ratings, elevation profiles, and some information about variants, and historical sites.My favorite app is "Buen Camino"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.editorialbuencamino.buencamino&hl=en&gl=US https://apps.apple.com/us/app/way-of-st-james-buen-camino/id858222947 a very detailed description is in the video
Remember Robo one more very important point. In the dictionary under the term of technological dummy there is a photo of yours truly! I have no problems using this app.Is there a Dummy's guide somewhere on their use?
Robo, I found myself in exactly the same spot you are in just last Fall prior to walking the Camino Primitivo and San Salvador. In fact I believe I posted a GPS for Dummies type question as well. A lot of good replies to your question however I believe what peregrina2000 stated above is exactly the right advice for someone like me...find something that works well and stick with it at least until you need something better.The best advice I got from a tech guy at my office was that I didn’t need the perfect app, I just needed one that worked for me.
The first point is on the dockside at Somo on the Camino del Norte.Bonus question. Where is it?
Thanks for this link, very useful information!If I'm not mistaken, you are planning the Via de la Plata. Each application has a GPS (KML, KMZ) track in addition to other very useful information. I used "Buen Camino", "Camino de Santiago" (Eroski Consumer), "Via de la Plata" from Peregrino Online (you can try the free version and then if you like it, pay "premium"). That even without an application - that you only have a track. I recommend maps.me - for me it turned out to be better than Google maps or Wikiloc, a big advantage is that it works without internet connection once you download the map.
The page on which there are some links for the track without the application: https://www.walkingclub.org.uk/camino-de-santiago/routes/download-GPX-KML.html https://www.onestepthenanother.com/...mmended-apps-and-maps-for-camino-de-santiago/Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiago
Camino Guide - the Free Guide to the Camino de Santiagowww.caminoguide.net
Buen Camino!
I looked at the website, and two things stood out. First is that there might only be routes for the CF and CdN available, and that these needed to be purchased. There was a 'free' section of the CF from SCPP to Pamplona. Did you find it possible to load route information from other sources?Check out the Far Out app. We used it on the Frances last September and turned some other pilgrims we were with on to it. They loved it.
FarOut: GPS Maps for Long-distance Hiking, Biking, & Paddling
FarOut is the number 1 app for thru hiking, long distance hiking, biking, and paddling. Download our navigational app today.faroutguides.com
That is a limitation with smartphones. On my Garmin handheld, there is an option to use 'simulation mode' that allows you to follow a route for some other location than your current position, but I haven't seen this on the smartphone apps. Does anyone know if such simulation modes exist, and how to activate them?I wish there was a way to test out some of the Camino-specific apps when you are not in Spain. If anyone knows, please tell me! Once you're there, it's too late if you're having trouble with them.
This is brilliant advice. It matters less what you use than that you are comfortable with it.Then focus on becoming proficient with one progam. And delete the others! You will surely find people on the forum to help when you get stuck, no matter which program you decide on. I won’t go into what I see as wikiloc’s many advantages, because they may not be advantages for you. The choices are many!
The best advice I got from a tech guy at my office was that I didn’t need the perfect app, I just needed one that worked for me.
And OSMand is offline too, once you download the maps you want. As is the IGN map app? (Edit - not sure of the latter...)Organic Maps can be used in airplane mode, saving you data costs.
Thanks, Rick. That was a good description. I'll need to read it again (several times) but it is helping me understand better how these things work.It's time to pause now. I plan to add more later.
One thing you can do is to make copies of a small, short distance track that you are familiar with of each of a GPX file and a KML file . Make the new names be gpx.txt and kml.txt. Now examine them with a text editor to see how they are put together and find the similarities and differences.Thanks, Rick. That was a good description. I'll need to read it again (several times) but it is helping me understand better how these things work.
Yes. I did use the IGN Mapas de España app on my last camino three years ago (used it just a little bit). I removed the app a few months ago. Just a day or two before this thread was created I reinstalled it. This time it asked configuration questions on initial startup that I found confusing so I pretty much used defaults. Ended up that I couldn't find the features I previously used. I'll get back to relearning the app later.One thing I do not do is update the OsmAnd app within the few months prior to any important trip.
Hi Rick, happy new year to you.KMZ files are a compressed KML file with optional additional files such as photos or other images and perhaps special icons (example: perhaps each church's denomination is coded by a different icon or icon color).
Unfortunately, the Camino Portugués shows that it was updated but in the area where I live their track remains dangerously out of date. A good reminder that whatever your source of tracks FOLLOW THE ARROWS. And remember that all tracks are a reflection of 'how the camino once was, and might remain but not necessarily so'.The Dutch Fraternity of St James tracks for all Spanish Camino's were updated 28 /5/22 so pretty current has GPX KML for maps me and Google tracks.
Thank youHi Rick, happy new year to you.
KMZ files are just "zipped" KML files. It is possible to rename a file.kmz to file.zip and unzip it. It is also possible to go back the other way but that is a bit more complex and I won't pollute this thread with that detail.
I couldn't agree more ..I have used Wikiloc for 4 years and I'm comfortable with it, I wish it was cheaper for the premium, my only advice is to choose the right person to follow...its fairly obvious when someone isn't worth following by looking at their trail or the distance compared to the norm....Wikiloc has saved me many times when I've veered off the trail...Another dummyy reporting in. Just like shoes, backpacks, sleeping bags, rain gear — people have very strong opinions about the GPS system they use and love. I have used wikiloc for years, and then last year decided to pay attention to all the other rave reviews on the forum about different programs, apps, etc. I quickly realized that I am fine with the program I have, and though others may have better features, I know how to use wikiloc, it gives me all the information I need, I know how to get help, and I absolutely love that I can put my phone away and ignore it till it beeps at me to tell me I’ve gone astray. And I know it will have tracks, with pictures and information, for absolutely every little remote detour I want to take on a remote camino. Others want different things or have found the same things in different programs. But I like what I’ve got and am not going to change now. But then I am still using wordperfect and have never figured out word, so that tells you something.
If you don’t love technology, I would try out a few apps, see which one you feel more comfortable with at the start, and which one offers more of what you think you want in a gps program. Then focus on becoming proficient with one progam. And delete the others! You will surely find people on the forum to help when you get stuck, no matter which program you decide on. I won’t go into what I see as wikiloc’s many advantages, because they may not be advantages for you. The choices are many!
The best advice I got from a tech guy at my office was that I didn’t need the perfect app, I just needed one that worked for me.
Honestly - it is easier to go to a Camino App and download it. For example - in the Wise Pilgrim app you can pull up the menu and select download offline map. Great thing about it is it is the actual map of the trail and you can use it to find your way back to the trail. Doing anything more as a novice is just confusing.I am totally non tech savy, so I am struggling with most of this! I have just downloaded maps.me and don't even know what to download! Do I download the whole map of Spain? How do I find out where the camino routes (in my case the Olvidado) are?
Sorry I am light years behind you guys in all this!
True. Coming up with possibly a bad analogy these apps are like a Spanish phrase book. I'm giving information that can be useful for times when a specialized app is not available like maybe hiking in a wilderness area. I'll compare it to learning Spanish. Or maybe lessons on how to use a roadmap in case your smartphone that's following a route craps out.Honestly - it is easier to go to a Camino App and download it.
Yeah - I figure these Camino apps have "maps for dummies" built right into them. The work is done for you, you just need to figure out how to download for offline use.True. Coming up with possibly a bad analogy these apps are like a Spanish phrase book. I'm giving information that can be useful for times when a specialized app is not available like maybe hiking in a wilderness area. I'll compare it to learning Spanish. Or maybe lessons on how to use a roadmap in case your smartphone that's following a route craps out.
The most popular routes may have apps, but there are many Camino routes - in Spain - that do not. Tracks are available, but not the packaged apps. There are also connecting routes and variants that many of us want to add to our options. Learning more about how to use GPS is very useful.the Camino IN SPAIN is so well researched it is just unnecessary. Outside of Spain perhaps - but in Spain "there is an App for that"!
I have used maps.me on the Norte and Mozarabe, it works fine. Zoom in to any area of a map and the app will request you to download the appropriate map. Do this before you leave home. On a days use this app does not run down your phones battery either. If you wanr to be really fully planned, put the albergues on the map also.Honestly - it is easier to go to a Camino App and download it. For example - in the Wise Pilgrim app you can pull up the menu and select download offline map. Great thing about it is it is the actual map of the trail and you can use it to find your way back to the trail. Doing anything more as a novice is just confusing.
Don't make it complicated. Still with an app for the Camino that has a downloadable app. Wise Pilgrim definitely does. I think Buen Camino does too - but haven't looked recently.
But you have to also download the Camino route into maps.me, it's not built in like it is on the Camino apps.I have used maps.me on the Norte and Mozarabe, it works fine
I'm not up to date with maps.me, but any mapping app that is using the OSM data would have the camino routes available, along with other walking and cycling routes throughout Europe. These are available as a layer in the dataset their display can be switched on or off by the app. I have looked at a couple of these, and they seem to work well. How well they are kept current is a different matter. Given the open source nature of OSM, changes might take a little time to be implemented.But you have to also download the Camino route into maps.me, it's not built in like it is on the Camino apps.
Yes, but this is easy, and you can add various alternate tracks if you want to see them as wellBut you have to also download the Camino route into maps.me, it's not built in like it is on the Camino apps.
I'm not up to date with maps.me, but any mapping app that is using the OSM data would have the camino routes available, along with other walking and cycling routes throughout Europe. These are available as a layer in the dataset their display can be switched on or off by the app. I have looked at a couple of these, and they seem to work well. ...
@Rick of Rick and Peg, thank you for going to this effort, and confirming both that OSM data sets in different apps does include walking and cycling track layers, and pointing to the different display styles that different apps adopt for those tracks. I find that different apps use different styles for other mapping elements as well, not just walking tracks.Thanks Doug, you've prodded me into examing this. I have five mapping apps that use Open Street Map data on my Android. Additionally there is IGN's Mapas de Espana and, of course, Google Maps. I really only use Google, Wikiloc and OsmAnd and the rest are used for providing information on the forum. I've downloaded maps for Massachusetts and neighboring New Hampshire and I don't usually keep Spain maps on my phone for them but I do have a few for OsmAnd use. So what I did was look at Burgette with OsmAnd and with Mapas de Espana to compare how each displays the Camino and the GR 11 trans-Pyrennes trail. Then for the five apps using OSM data compare their showing the area in Massachusetts where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Massachusetts Turnpike (I 90) on a pedestrian overpath. FYI, this happens in the town of Becket almost at the town line with Lee. Note that although the apps use the same OSM data they display the data differently.
First is OsmAnd in Burgette. You see trails marked but, additionally, the major trails of the Camino and the GR 11 are highlighted and marked with icons.
View attachment 141235
Mapas de Espana has only red scallop shell icons for the Camino. It's a topographic map though so there are contour lines. If you load your own GPS tracks you will see those clearer.
View attachment 141236
FYI, here's Google Maps.
View attachment 141237
Now going to the Appalachian Trail here's OsmAnd. You can see a short trail that is marked with intermittent short lines but the major hiking trails aren't marked this way, they are shown highlighted though. The AT is also marked with a square white icon. In New Hampshire the AT and other major trails are marked similarly but the boxes have AT or initials of the trail's name in them. It looks like someone forgot to do the same for Massachusetts.
View attachment 141238
Now for another often recommended app Maps.me. Things are a mess here. The trail is shown but not highlighted or marked with icons. You see AT names in a place where it doesn't exist, the dark green area, and for access trail signs, the i symbols. The best that we have is AT Corridor.
View attachment 141239
Organic Maps is a software fork off of Maps.me that has better privacy. It's display here is much the same as it's mama. If you do some zooming and tracking it's a bit better. Anyway, although you could get lost on the maps you won't on the ground; the AT is well marked with white blazes.
View attachment 141240
Wikiloc also doesn't do a terrific job pointing out the AT. With zooming and tracking you can occasionally see the words "Appalachian Trail" printed next to the marked trail but there is no highlighting or icons. To be fair though the app was not designed to be used as a general map of an area. It was designed to highlight a track downloaded by a user.
View attachment 141241
Next and last is Mapy.cz which is somehow associated with Windy Maps (maybe a fork or a rebranding). I really like it's display. Well used trails are marked like other trails but marked as special by a solid red line next to the trail marking. It doesn't have icons and, like the previous three apps, it only names the trail here and there with tracking and zooming but that red highlighting line makes the AT easy to follow anyway.
View attachment 141243
That is fine for people who have the know how to load routes into the app. Those who don't know how to do it might still find a camino app with downloadable maps for offline use to be much easier. I am kind of in between - not a beginner at making routes for offline use - but still have a lot to learn.I have used maps.me on the Norte and Mozarabe, it works fine. Zoom in to any area of a map and the app will request you to download the appropriate map. Do this before you leave home. On a days use this app does not run down your phones battery either. If you wanr to be really fully planned, put the albergues on the map also.
Im doing the Portuguese coastal in April and will use maps.me.
Good Luck
If you are not careful you might soon find yourself one of the more knowledgeable interlocutors on this, and readily able to contribute good advice on GPS matters!That is fine for people who have the know how to load routes into the app. Those who don't know how to do it might still find a camino app with downloadable maps for offline use to be much easier. I am kind of in between - not a beginner at making routes for offline use - but still have a lot to learn.
It is possible to change how your own tracks or tracks that you edit are displayed. Colours and symbols are part of the data.Thanks Doug, you've prodded me into examing this. I have five mapping apps that use Open Street Map data on my Android. Additionally there is IGN's Mapas de Espana and, of course, Google Maps. I really only use Google, Wikiloc and OsmAnd and the rest are used for providing information on the forum. I've downloaded maps for Massachusetts and neighboring New Hampshire and I don't usually keep Spain maps on my phone for them but I do have a few for OsmAnd use. So what I did was look at Burgette with OsmAnd and with Mapas de Espana to compare how each displays the Camino and the GR 11 trans-Pyrennes trail. Then for the five apps using OSM data compare their showing the area in Massachusetts where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Massachusetts Turnpike (I 90) on a pedestrian overpath. FYI, this happens in the town of Becket almost at the town line with Lee. Note that although the apps use the same OSM data they display the data differently.
First is OsmAnd in Burgette. You see trails marked but, additionally, the major trails of the Camino and the GR 11 are highlighted and marked with icons.
View attachment 141235
Mapas de Espana has only red scallop shell icons for the Camino. It's a topographic map though so there are contour lines. If you load your own GPS tracks you will see those clearer.
View attachment 141236
FYI, here's Google Maps.
View attachment 141237
Now going to the Appalachian Trail here's OsmAnd. You can see a short trail that is marked with intermittent short lines but the major hiking trails aren't marked this way, they are shown highlighted though. The AT is also marked with a square white icon. In New Hampshire the AT and other major trails are marked similarly but the boxes have AT or initials of the trail's name in them. It looks like someone forgot to do the same for Massachusetts.
View attachment 141238
Now for another often recommended app Maps.me. Things are a mess here. The trail is shown but not highlighted or marked with icons. You see AT names in a place where it doesn't exist, the dark green area, and for access trail signs, the i symbols. The best that we have is AT Corridor.
View attachment 141239
Organic Maps is a software fork off of Maps.me that has better privacy. It's display here is much the same as it's mama. If you do some zooming and tracking it's a bit better. Anyway, although you could get lost on the maps you won't on the ground; the AT is well marked with white blazes.
View attachment 141240
Wikiloc also doesn't do a terrific job pointing out the AT. With zooming and tracking you can occasionally see the words "Appalachian Trail" printed next to the marked trail but there is no highlighting or icons. To be fair though the app was not designed to be used as a general map of an area. It was designed to highlight a track downloaded by a user.
View attachment 141241
Next and last is Mapy.cz which is somehow associated with Windy Maps (maybe a fork or a rebranding). I really like it's display. Well used trails are marked like other trails but marked as special by a solid red line next to the trail marking. It doesn't have icons and, like the previous three apps, it only names the trail here and there with tracking and zooming but that red highlighting line makes the AT easy to follow anyway.
View attachment 141243
You can overwrite the GPS track's values with OsmAnd, but I think not with Maps.me.It is possible to change how your own tracks or tracks that you edit are displayed. Colours and symbols are part of the data.
I find that different apps use different styles for other mapping elements as well, not just walking tracks.
I suspect that the IGN data set is different again. I recall seeing that shell symbol on other IGN mapping, particularly some of their raster mapping, but it was some time ago. The current IGN product seems to have have switched to vector based mapping, but I cannot confirm that.
Once again, great effort. Thank you.
OsmAnd remembers GPS tracks that it has displayed on your behalf. You can choose which of these you want displayed and how to display them (but only as a group, not individually).
I really meant that the appearance of tracks is defined within the XML data.You can overwrite the GPS track's values with OsmAnd, but I think not with Maps.me.
OsmAnd remembers GPS tracks that it has displayed on your behalf. You can choose which of these you want displayed and how to display them (but only as a group, not individuallyIndividually is possible, see my post below). You can chose the tracks' boldness and select from some solid colors or some translucent colors if you prefer a highlighting look. You do this by selecting Appearance at the top of the track list for boldness and then again for color.
Hamburger -> Configure map -> Tracks
<extensions>
<osmand:profile>pedestrian</osmand:profile>
<osmand:trkpt_idx>0</osmand:trkpt_idx>
</extensions>
But this will only keep its appearance attributes if it is imported into OSMAndNope. I was wrong. In OsmAnd you can modify the appearance of a single track. Let's say you have a number of tracks recorded in a local park and the tracks really don't show up well with all the other trails available. Now suppose you encounter someone in the park who is interested in walking one. You could use the method of highlighting all your tracks by the method I described in my post above. You show them to your new friend and after a bit of discussion you want to show the one track you recommend.
Here's how. Zoom in to easily show the track and then click on a location along the track. A popup window will appear at the bottom of the screen showing details about the track. Choose the painter's palette and a menu for changing the appearance of that track. Scroll in that bottom window to see everything.
Instead of clicking the palette you could click the Options selection and see the palette among the other many things you can do with the track or the GPS file containing the track data.
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