GPS/GPX mapping software

[DarthStiller]

I'm considering updating (i.e replacing) my laptop, which I use primarily to store my hiking pics and tracks from my hikes, which are mostly in GPX format. I have Delorme Topo installed on my computer, which I have used for 2 decades now. I was looking for an updated version of this software and it appears that it's pretty much defunct. Does anyone have any suggestions for a mapping program that has topo mainly and will map out GPS tracks in various formats? One of the features I'm really looking for that Delorme can do is to map out all my tracks on one map so I can use that one map as a reference guide to what trails I've already hiked.

[chumley]

I don't know of any consumer-level desktop GPS apps that are still developed/supported.

There are a number of online/cloud-based options that do what you are seeking, with varying capabilities and features, including Route Editor here on HAZ.

[CannondaleKid]

@DarthStiller
If you have a Mac, I'd recommend myTracks, which works along with iOS, watchOS and macOS.
Imports/Exports GPX and Google KML files.
I like that the files can be sorted by tags you attach to them... 'Peak Bag', 'Hawes/Bush hikes', 'Mountain-biking' for instance.)
The 'Timeline' lists everything by year and month.

[herdbull]

try Caltopo/SARtopo. We use it for Search & Rescue here in Colorado.

[toddak]

I'm a big fan of CalTopo, I just tried importing a half dozen GPX old routes and it displays all of them. I also use it to make new GPX routes when I'm planning a new hike. Then I use Gaia GPS on my iphone to display and record routes when hiking. And I'm old and hate most apps and new tech in general, so you know these are way easy to use!

[Hansenaz]

I remember a similar topic a few years ago, and based on it I switched from Garmin Basecamp to HAZ's map "suite". I've been happy with it. My only gripe is that I'd like to be able to easily overlay all my private routes in a specified map region (this works nicely for public maps). Even just the ability to search for which ones exist in that area would help - then I could make my own overlays.

But overall it works great for me.

[DixieFlyer]

@DarthStiller
I use Route Cloud mostly, but also use garmin basecamp

[Hansenaz]

After some PM input from Chumley I have to retract my Route Cloud gripe (above). There is a flexible way to overlay personal routes - I don't need any more than this home grown tool.

[CannondaleKid]

Route Editor: THE BEST for likely the huge majority of users, easy-to-use (once you know/understand all the features/capabilities, of which I'm sure I do not) and I make use of it frequently. But I wouldn't want to burden HAZ servers with my 1200+ tracks.
Plus I really like having all my tracks on my laptop and sorted in a customizable hierarchy (with myTracks). While Route Editor DOES allow sorting by Date or Name (& limit by A-Z), it resets to Date every time. So sometimes I'll save an old file just to bring to the forefront.

BaseCamp: While it's been around forever and it is NOT my favorite by any means, in my opinion the Windows version COULD display "all my tracks" better than the others. (See Mac caveat below)
However, due to my 1200+ tracks, it has become bog-slow and takes forever to save/close. (Which is the main reason I went to myTracks.)
I DID like the Windows version more because you could limit the 'clutter' of every waypoint when viewing all the tracks at one time. Unfortunately now without a Windows PC, the Mac version does not allow this, and when viewing all the tracks at once the waypoints and names practically obliterate the tracks.

CalTopo: I ran across this last year when I was gathering info for future vacations and tried it out. I liked all the different map overlays, which made it easy to lay out a track along a trail or road, sometimes connecting points places a mile or more apart. It worked so well in-the-moment that I purchased a $50 annual Pro plan. Now looking back on how little I used it I won't renew, but that likely is more a consequence of locating so many boots-on-the-ground tracks that I only created a few of my own. I know it has plenty of features but I guess I didn't have enough patience to learn how to make use of them.

Gaia... tried it didn't like it, probably due to the anticipated long learning curve and ongoing fee.

[DixieFlyer]

Gaia... tried it didn't like it, probably due to the anticipated long learning curve and ongoing fee.

The one thing that I like about Gaia is that it works with android auto. So I can load a GPX driving track on it and follow it on the screen in my car. That is the only thing that I currently use it for

[CannondaleKid]

@DixieFlyer
I should qualify my previous statement about Gaia... I didn't like the Android app for Gaia (but then I hate most phone apps of any kind)

As far as using Gaia on the web for creating/editing tracks, I did have an annual subscription for Gaia but got too involved in a few other projects and didn't use it enough to get past the learning stage before the subscription lapsed.

[herdbull]

@toddak
Sartopo/Caltopo has been a complete game changer for our Search & Rescue team. I have the paid subscription which is covered by CCSAR but man what a tool. I don't believe it's that much $$$$ either but to see real time where your climber partner or rescue partners are in real time on your own map is just flat out indispensable. It goes off of GPS location so you don't need service to run the program. It also has the feature of putting a subjects location on our map if they are able to receive a simple text.

The ability to create your own maps and have a master map and import/export items at will is also really cool. Download areas directly to your phone so you'll have all the data right on your phone. Add your own notes or features to a map, scout and create ahead of time......The only way to make it even cooler would be if you could drag and drop features between maps but that's just a pie in the sky thought.

[kaszeta]

I primarily use two different services:

1. Caltopo, as several people above mention.
2. I also have a Home membership ($33/year) to ExpertGPS, which I use a lot for editing tracklogs (deleting spurious data and breaks, remapping routes to match topo altitude, etc) and converting between formats.