Navigation problems gpx and site

[timr]

I am in Nairobi with not very good wifi. I am having afternoon off and trying to do some Francigena planning. And thought I would finally work out how to use maps.me or something similar.
If I search for gps gpx kml kmz on this site these terms are "omitted" because they are "too short." I'm having additional ineptness searching as I usually use computer not phone and finding navigation a bit challenging on iphone.
I know there was an idiot's guide to this subject in a post some time ago.
I really want to know best app for using gpx tracks on iphone. Maps.me doesn't open them. I don't want to have to convert them all to kml.
Feeling quite digitally challenged.
But it IS warm and sunny!

 

[Jill81]

I know the feeling . . . Have a look at this link for tracks for the Francigena.

http://www.viefrancigene.org/en/mappe/

I used it in 2016 to load onto my phone and at that time I was pretty clueless about that sort of thing. I didn’t have maps.me and used another app but it should be fairly straightforward.

It was very accurate and reliable, even through the small streets of towns along the way.

Good luck and enjoy . . . It’s a beautiful walk ( just don’t plan on losing weight as the food is so good)

 

[Deleted member 76633]

Here is the first bit from Canterbury to Dover. Will be using it myself in a few weeks time.

 

[Purky]

Maps.me only reads KML files, so I'm afraid you're stuck with converting them. Or download here.

 

[peregrina2000]

I am in Nairobi with not very good wifi. I am having afternoon off and trying to do some Francigena planning. And thought I would finally work out how to use maps.me or something similar.
If I search for gps gpx kml kmz on this site these terms are "omitted" because they are "too short." I'm having additional ineptness searching as I usually use computer not phone and finding navigation a bit challenging on iphone.
I know there was an idiot's guide to this subject in a post some time ago.
I really want to know best app for using gpx tracks on iphone. Maps.me doesn't open them. I don't want to have to convert them all to kml.
Feeling quite digitally challenged.
But it IS warm and sunny!

I was the idiot who wrote it, but I haven't looked at it recently to make sure it is accurate, now that I have risen from idiot to "mildly inept.".
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...e-walking-solitary-caminos.41889/#post-427039

 

[timr]

@peregrina2000 Thanks Laurie. That is indeed what I was looking for with a total lack of eptness!

 

[Jill81]

I am in Nairobi with not very good wifi. I am having afternoon off and trying to do some Francigena planning. And thought I would finally work out how to use maps.me or something similar.
If I search for gps gpx kml kmz on this site these terms are "omitted" because they are "too short." I'm having additional ineptness searching as I usually use computer not phone and finding navigation a bit challenging on iphone.
I know there was an idiot's guide to this subject in a post some time ago.
I really want to know best app for using gpx tracks on iphone. Maps.me doesn't open them. I don't want to have to convert them all to kml.
Feeling quite digitally challenged.
But it IS warm and sunny!

This is how to load the tracks onto an iPhone from the website in my previous post:

Install maps.me
Under ‘download maps’ type Italy and select those you need and download for offline use.
On the viafrancigena website http://www.viefrancigene.org/en/mappe/ select the legs you want to download.
Open each one individually and select ‘view with google earth’.
You will be given the option to open the tracks in maps.me, without any need to convert the tracks to a different format.

I’ve just tried it on my Iphone as a test and it installed perfectly. It’s also interesting to have it on google earth as you can get a better idea of the terrain.
Hope this helps!

 

[timr]

This is how to load the tracks onto an iPhone from the website in my previous post:

Install maps.me
Under ‘download maps’ type Italy and select those you need and download for offline use.
On the viafrancigena website http://www.viefrancigene.org/en/mappe/ select the legs you want to download.
Open each one individually and select ‘view with google earth’.
You will be given the option to open the tracks in maps.me, without any need to convert the tracks to a different format.

I’ve just tried it on my Iphone as a test and it installed perfectly. It’s also interesting to have it on google earth as you can get a better idea of the terrain.
Hope this helps!

Thanks very much Jill. I don't think I ever would have worked that out. And I am not a beginner. It seems bizarrely complicated.

I am no longer convinced of the merit of maps.me after trying that. It has a lot of adverts and the colour of the track, on my iphone right now, is exactly the same colour as the road and I cannot see any way to tell them apart. (I am looking at the first day after GSB).

I can see more research is going to be necessary. Then again on 11 Caminos in Spain I only ever used a track on one day for an hour - and it was useful because I was lost - but I wouldn't expect to become a 'power user.'

 

[timr]

Here is the first bit from Canterbury to Dover. Will be using it myself in a few weeks time.

Thanks very much. But my problem is opening it. What app do you use on your phone in order to use this track?

 

[nycwalking]

I am in Nairobi with not very good wifi. I am having afternoon off and trying to do some Francigena planning. And thought I would finally work out how to use maps.me or something similar.
If I search for gps gpx kml kmz on this site these terms are "omitted" because they are "too short." I'm having additional ineptness searching as I usually use computer not phone and finding navigation a bit challenging on iphone.
I know there was an idiot's guide to this subject in a post some time ago.
I really want to know best app for using gpx tracks on iphone. Maps.me doesn't open them. I don't want to have to convert them all to kml.
Feeling quite digitally challenged.
But it IS warm and sunny!

I want your travel problems. In Nairobi planning next pilgrimage.

Luck with tech troubles.

Buen camino.

 

[timr]

Maps.me only reads KML files, so I'm afraid you're stuck with converting them. Or download here.

Oh this looks more promising, simply because the track on this trace - I am looking at Canterbury Dover - is actually purple. On the first one I downloaded the walking trace is identical colour to the road.....

 

[Jill81]

Thanks very much Jill. I don't think I ever would have worked that out. And I am not a beginner. It seems bizarrely complicated.

I am no longer convinced of the merit of maps.me after trying that. It has a lot of adverts and the colour of the track, on my iphone right now, is exactly the same colour as the road and I cannot see any way to tell them apart. (I am looking at the first day after GSB).

I can see more research is going to be necessary. Then again on 11 Caminos in Spain I only ever used a track on one day for an hour - and it was useful because I was lost - but I wouldn't expect to become a 'power user.'

Yes, the display is not always that great on maps.me but it is very clear when it is on google earth. When you open the track click on ‘more’ and you get the option to download on google earth. Again, you will have to ensure that you will have at least viewed the areas of the track in an appropriate resolution while online to be able to access them later offline.

It sounds a lot worse than it is but it is worth it to have as a back up. Once when the path was really flooded I was able to use the tracks I had downloaded onto google earth to find the best alternative, so I look at it as one of those ‘nice to have’ options when I’m walking alone.

 

[Doogman]

If you are looking for the Via Francigena, you can download the Sloways app. They claim that they are the official route of the VF, as certified by the European Association of VF. I don't really know what that means, but I have downloaded the app and it looks good for the Italian section of the route. I plan to use it for the Siena to Rome section this summer.

In summer of 2017 I did the Canterbury to Arras section of the VF. I was using MAPS.ME and had copied the track that is in the Resources section of this Forum. However, it seems like the trail has been significantly re-routed since that track was created, so there were a lot of discrepancies between the signs and the track on my phone. Although I tried following the signs, I kept defaulting back to the track on the phone. I found that the signs were not sufficient for me to follow, and I did not have the aid of paper maps to help out.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Hi @timr - have you looked at or considered MotionX-GPS for your iPhone? I’ve downloaded .gpx files (from https://www.openstreetmap.org/ among others) and imported them, easy to do once you’ve found a collection of .gpx files and then subsequently use. App does many other good things; offline map downloads, very easy track sharing that sends whomever you choose a .gpx and .kml file to open in Google Earth, etc. Let me know if you are interested and will be happy to help.

 

[timr]

Hi @timr - have you looked at or considered MotionX-GPS for your iPhone? I’ve downloaded .gpx files (from https://www.openstreetmap.org/ among others) and imported them, easy to do once you’ve found a collection of .gpx files and then subsequently use. App does many other good things; offline map downloads, very easy track sharing that sends whomever you choose a .gpx and .kml file to open in Google Earth, etc. Let me know if you are interested and will be happy to help.

Hi @jozero thanks for the info. I am getting a bit befuddled with all the possibilities BUT it is all part of the fun of planning. Isn't it? Trying to find the right app is the new trying to find the right shoes!
I will investigate further. Something that works both with gpx and kml seems just simpler.
And BTW many, many, many, thanks for your blog. It is really terrific. I will discuss that with you when you have finished. I am interested in the photo-logistics with a "real" camera.
Good luck and Buen Camino for the last few km.

 

[t2andreo]

If you are using the Maps.me app, go to the full web site using a laptop or desktop computer. That is at: www.maps.me. Try this direct link to the Spanish map page.

https://maps.me/maps/country-espana/

There are similar pages for other countries.

Alternatively, try Wikiloc, at:

http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/find.do?t=&d=&lfr=<o=&src=&act=&uom=mi&q=Camino+de+Santiago

Or,

The excellent Dutch Camino group website: https://www.santiago.nl/downloads

At these places, you can download appropriate GPS files for your device or app. Personally, I find the Dutch web site to be the best, unless you have a direct link on a specific route centric website.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jeep500]

I am in Nairobi with not very good wifi. I am having afternoon off and trying to do some Francigena planning. And thought I would finally work out how to use maps.me or something similar.
If I search for gps gpx kml kmz on this site these terms are "omitted" because they are "too short." I'm having additional ineptness searching as I usually use computer not phone and finding navigation a bit challenging on iphone.
I know there was an idiot's guide to this subject in a post some time ago.
I really want to know best app for using gpx tracks on iphone. Maps.me doesn't open them. I don't want to have to convert them all to kml.
Feeling quite digitally challenged.
But it IS warm and sunny!

Hi,
I used GPS Motion X application that provide maps ,distances, record etc..
I also suggest that you use Wikiloc web site that as 1 million trakcs recorded and more over many tracks that were recorded from previous pilgrims that you could download into gps montion x. On Wikiloc site type the city name that you want to reach then sent it into your cell.
Bon camino

 

[timr]

Hi,
I used GPS Motion X application that provide maps ,distances, record etc..
I also suggest that you use Wikiloc web site that as 1 million trakcs recorded and more over many tracks that were recorded from previous pilgrims that you could download into gps montion x. On Wikiloc site type the city name that you want to reach then sent it into your cell.
Bon camino

Thanks.
Wikiloc I have used quite a bit and find it quite simple to get around the app.
I will try GPS Motion when I get back to Europe next week, because of the positive recommendations here.