<center> # Off-Road Navigation & Trail Finding A summary of my favorite apps &amp; platforms to navigate, edit, and find off-road trails. *Originally published 2023-04-25 by Nick Sweeting on docs.sweeting.me/s/motorbikes.* </center> --- [TOC] --- <br/> # Mapping App Recommendations My workflow is that I generally find GPX tracks online or from my Arc history, trim/edit them in Cartograph, then open them in Guru Maps Pro on my iPhone and navigate on the trail in Guru. <br/> > I highly recommend these apps for power-user track recording/editing/navigating: <br/> ## 🗺️ Map Browsing and Navigating Apps <br/> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/d3f8fc20-7fe9-4dff-aff4-3854ff4dd920.jpeg" style="width: 100px; float:left; border-radius: 4px; margin-top: -30px"/> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/febbf3c1-3f9c-43fc-beb1-0bd8b4e662ac.jpeg" style="width: 100px; float:left; border-radius: 4px; margin-top: -30px; margin-right: 30px"/> **I navigate** using [Guru Maps Pro](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guru-maps-pro-gps-tracker/id891362701). It's the only app I've used that can handle loading 100,000km+ of GPX trails at once without slowing down the UI, simultaneous recording and navigating, fully offline open-street-maps topo+trail base layers, and offline navigation for all the transit modes. <br/><br/> **Alternatives:** - ⭐️ **[Cartograph Pro](https://www.cartograph.eu/)** for advanced navigation/recording/editing (iOS/Android/Mac/Windows) - ⭐️ **[Avenza Maps](https://store.avenza.com/pages/app-features)** for navigating on top of static image/scanned-paper government maps - **[Gaia GPS](https://www.gaiagps.com/)** for navigation/recording/trail finding (iOS/Android) - **[AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/)** for professionally curated + crowd-sourced off-roading trails (iOS/Android) - **[onX Offroad Maps](https://www.onxmaps.com/)** for professionally curated off-roading trails (iOS/Android) - [Wikiloc](https://www.wikiloc.com/) for crowd-sourced trails and GPX recordings (iOS/Android/Web) - [OsmAnd](https://osmand.net/) for simple offline Open Street Maps (iOS/Android) - [inRoute](https://inroute.com/) for finding the optimal route between many waypoints (iOS/Mac) - [Trekarta](https://trekarta.info/) Open-Source providing base layers, navigation, recording, etc. (iOS/Android) - [AlpineQuest](https://www.alpinequest.net/) mobile app providing base layers, navigation, recording, etc. (iOS/Android) - [PeakVisor](https://peakvisor.com/) 3D Maps and mountain identification (iOS/Android) - [BackCountry Navigator](https://www.backcountrynavigator.com/) mobile app providing base layers, navigation etc. (Android only) - [LocusMap](https://www.locusmap.app/) mobile app providing base layers, navigation recording, etc. (Android only) - **[iOverlander](https://www.ioverlander.com/)** / [FreeCampsites.net](https://freecampsites.net/) / [and](https://www.easytechtrick.org/camping-apps/) [others...](https://www.offpathtravels.com/best-camping-apps-websites/) for free campsites (iOS/Android/web) <br/><br/> ## 🎥 GPX Track & Workout Recording Apps <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/ccfeb452-673d-47d5-b438-d83b4bcae633.png" style="width: 200px; float: right; margin-top: 0px; border-radius: 4px;"/> **I record** my location history 24/7 offline using [Arc App on iOS](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/arc-app-location-activity/id1063151918). *[Arc App](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/arc-app-location-activity/id1063151918) provides daily/weekly/monthly/yearly views of your movement history as GPX tracks, stored locally & encrypted:* **Alternatives:** - ⭐️ **[MapMyRide](https://www.mapmyride.com/)** for recording ride w/ live stats (iOS/Android/Web) - **[Guru Maps Pro](https://gurumaps.app/)** also records rides well (iOS/Android/Mac) - **[Gaia GPS](https://www.gaiagps.com/)** for navigation/recording/trail finding (iOS/Android) - [Avenza Maps](https://store.avenza.com/pages/app-features) offers recording on top of static image base maps - [onX Offroad](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app/) offers route recording, editing, sharing, & discovery (not optimized for 24/7) - [Gyroscope](https://gyrosco.pe/app/tracking/places/) offers 24/7 GPS recording like Arc App (iOS/Android) - [Strava](https://www.strava.com/) has fewer power-user features than as a MapMyRide but nicer UI (iOS/Android/Web) - [phyphox](https://phyphox.org/) mobile app for recording raw accelerometer/compass/altitude/motion/GPS data <br/> ## ✏️ GPX Track + Base Layer Editing & Curation Apps <br/> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/dd73b7de-2712-4a9e-80fe-38df0c7c0edc.png" style="float:right; border-radius: 4px; max-width: 300px; margin-top: -20px"/> **I create and edit** GPX tracks and overlay layers primarily in [Cartograph Maps](https://www.cartograph.eu/). *Cartograph allows advanced multi-overlay, multi-track editing/combining/splitting.* <br/><br/> <img src="https://docs.monadical.com/uploads/ec69123d-35c0-4a2c-9189-68c8457be70b.png" style="float:right; border-radius: 4px; max-width: 380px; margin-top: 0px;"/> **Alternatives:** - ⭐️ **[CalTopo](https://caltopo.com/map.html)** for advanced multi-layer map & track editing with lots of layers out-of-the-box: government land, cell coverage, geology, fire risk, etc. (web) - **[myTracks](https://www.mytracks4mac.info/en)** (Mac/iOS) - [GPX.Studio](https://gpx.studio/) (web) - [Garmin BaseCamp](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/software/basecamp/) (Mac/Windows) - [MyRoute-App](https://www.myrouteapp.com/) (web) - [GPS Visualizer](https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw/) (web) - [onX Offroad Route Builder](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app/features/route-builder) (web/iOS/Android) - [RouteConverter](https://www.routeconverter.com/) (Windows/Mac/Linux) - [GPS Babel](https://www.gpsbabel.org/) (Windows/Mac/Linux) - [and others here...](https://alternativeto.net/software/gpxedit/) <br/><br/><br/> <br/> --- --- <br/> # Trail Recommendations <br/> ## 🔎 Where to Find Trails Online > I find my off-road GPX trail routes by digging through some of the sources below. ### Government Land Use Maps / Trail Maps / Recreation Site Maps - [⭐️ Avenza Maps](https://store.avenza.com/search) database of government, trail, land-use, & topographic base layers * [⭐️ USA Federal BLM Land GIS](https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html) + [Recreation Opportunities Maps](https://webmaps.blm.gov/program_apps/BLM_Natl_Recreation_Opportunities/) * [USA National Park Service Maps](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/gisandmapping/nps-maps.htm#!/maps/alphacode/NPS) + [NPS Trails](https://nps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=24fc463363f54929833580280cc1a751) * [USA National Forest Service / USDA Maps Index](https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r5/maps-pubs) + [Recreation Sites GIS](https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1044941.html) + [FSTopo GIS](https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de2a4fc465be4e63b6c735b20f8c083a/page/FSTopo/) * [USA USGS Maps Index](https://www.usgs.gov/products/maps) + [USGS Trail Data Explorer](https://usgs.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html) - **[⭐️ CalTopo California Government Land Map](https://caltopo.com/map.html)** - **[Parks.ca.gov California Trail Corridors](https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=25680)** - [California OHMVR](https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/) - [California State Lands Commision GIS](https://data-cslc.opendata.arcgis.com/) - [California BLM Maps](https://www.blm.gov/maps/frequently-requested/california) & [All USA BLM Maps](https://www.blm.gov/maps) - [California Multi-Source Land Parcel Ownership (CALFIRE)](https://gis.data.ca.gov/datasets/f73858e200634ca888b19ca8c78e3aed_0/explore?location=36.984511%2C-119.270300%2C6.83) * [Canadian Crown Land Maps](https://natural-resources.canada.ca/earth-sciences/geomatics/canada-lands-surveys/11090) * **[Quebec FQMHR Moto Trails](https://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/carte.php)**, [FQCQ Quad Trails](http://www.fqcq.qc.ca/carte-interactive/), [FCMQ Snowmobile Trails](https://fcmq.fcmqapi.ca/carte-motoneige/indexen.html#map), [Ontario](https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/index.php) ### Crowd-sourced Route Sharing Platforms - **[WikiLoc](https://www.wikiloc.com/)** - **[GravelMap](https://gravelmap.com/)** - [RideWithGPS](https://ridewithgps.com/find) - [TrailForks](https://www.trailforks.com/trails/map/) - [Komoot](https://www.komoot.com/discover) - [PlotARoute.com](https://www.plotaroute.com/routefinder) - [OutdoorActive.com](https://www.outdooractive.com/en/routes/) - and more [here](https://www.oruxmaps.com/cs/en/maps) + [and here...](https://www.mountainbike.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=147487) ### Paid Route & Base Layer Distributors - **[Overland Trail Guides](https://www.overlandtrailguides.com/)** - **[GPS Kevin Adventures](https://www.gpskevinadventurerides.com/) (Great Pacific Divide, Great Continental Divide, etc.)** - **[OnX Offroad Trails & Routes](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/trails/us)** / [OnX Private Land Maps](https://www.onxmaps.com/offroad/app/features/private-land-maps-for-off-roading) / [Hiking Trails](https://www.hikingproject.com/) - **[AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/)** - [California Trail Map](https://www.californiatrailmap.com/) - [OHV Trail Map California](http://www.ctuc.info/ctuc/index.php/ohvtrailmap) - [Butler Maps](https://butlermaps.com/) - [Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com) - [Hema Maps](https://hemamaps.com/) - [Benchmark Maps](https://www.benchmarkmaps.com/) - [PublicLands.org Maps](https://publiclands.org/pages/maps/) & [Recreation Areas Maps](https://publiclands.org/pages/recreationmap) - [BestMapsEver.com](https://bestmapsever.com/collections/all?sort_by=best-selling) ### Published Trans-Continental Trails - **[Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR)](https://ridebdr.com/)**, [Trans-America Trail](https://www.transamtrail.com/), [NPS Cross-Country Trail Network](https://www.nps.gov/cali/planyourvisit/maps.htm) - [Trans-Canada Adventure Trail](https://adventuremotorcycletravel.com/listing/trans-canada-adventure-trail-tcat/), **[Trans-Quebec Trail](https://advhub.net/communities/tqt/)**, [Trans-Ontario Trail](https://www.transontariotrail.ca/) - [Trans-Europe Trail](https://transeurotrail.org/), [Trans-Eastern Trail Nirvana (Asia)](https://www.advpulse.com/adv-rides/eastern-trail-nirvana/), [Trans-Australia Trails](https://transaustraliatrail.com.au/) ### Moto Rider Forums - **[ADVRider.com](https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/sharing-gpx-files.852082/)** - **[Ridaventure.ca](https://www.ridaventure.ca/)** - **[ThumperTalk.com](https://www.thumpertalk.com/)** - [AdventureBikeRider.com](https://adventurebikerider.com/) - [AdvBikes.com](https://advbikes.com/) - [XLAdv.com](https://xladv.com/) ### Local Facebook Groups - [California Dual Sport &amp; Adventure Riding](https://www.facebook.com/groups/1980458165357772/) (FB) - [NW Adventure Riders](https://www.facebook.com/groups/NWADVR/) (FB) - [NorCal Dual Sport Riders](https://www.facebook.com/groups/692265207581514/) (FB) - [Moto Double-Usage et Aventure Québecs](https://www.facebook.com/groups/motodoubleusageetaventurequebec) (FB) - [RidAventure.ca](https://www.facebook.com/groups/RidAventure.ca) (FB) - search Facebook for groups in your area --- #### Further Reading - [How to Find Private & Public Hunting Land (USA)](https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/blog/how-to-find-hunting-land) - [Private Land Access Resources by state (OnX)](https://onxmapssupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028808211-State-Sponsored-Land-Access-Programs) - [State-sponsored Land Access Programs (OnX)](https://onxmapssupport.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360028808211-State-Sponsored-Land-Access-Programs) + [Logging / NGO-owned land access](https://www.onxmaps.com/hunt/blog/possible-access-layer-shows-public-access-you-never-knew-of) - [FortNine Video: How to Legally Ride Off-Road in Canada? | YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR4Ofe1mbb8)... ---  <br/> <br/> --- <br/> ## 📚 More Links ### 🇨🇦 Extra Canada/Quebec Trails - https://www.ridinaroundmtl.ca/around-montreal - https://sites.google.com/view/gravel-roads-seeker/home - https://www.mabf.ca/gps-track - [Gaspésie Motorcycle Trip - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRbMTkxnZRU) - [Mont-Tremblant Motorcycle Trip - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okW71JyPq3M) - [Saguenay Motorcycle Trip - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJY5iix_gAY) - [Quebéc's ultimate road trip: into the wild on the Whale Route](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/north-america/canada/quebec/quebec-best-road-trip/) - [Top Offroading trails in Quebec (Canada) | Wikiloc](https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/offroading/canada/quebec) - [Wikiloc | Zec Lavigne Trail](https://www.wikiloc.com/offroading-trails/zec-lavigne-41069069) - [Eastern Quebec | Best Place for a Motorcycle Road Trip](https://www.quebecmaritime.ca/en/what-to-do/motorcycle-touring) - [Gravel Travel Canada - The Big Empty](https://graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=119&Itemid=19), [Gravel Travel Canada - Gravel Travel Canada](https://graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=20) - [How to do the Trans Canada Adventure Trail - Canada Moto Guide](https://canadamotoguide.com/2017/03/19/how-to-do-the-trans-canada-adventure-trail/), [Special: TCAT - Canada Moto Guide](https://canadamotoguide.com/2012/05/10/the-trans-canada-adventure-trail/), [TCAT Update](https://canadamotoguide.com/2015/08/12/trans-canada-adventure-trail-update/) - [FQMHR Map](http://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/carte.php) (maintained by the [Fédération Québécoise des Motos Hors Route](http://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/Index.php)) - [Op QUEBEC | Adventure Rider](https://advrider.com/f/threads/op-quebec.1075093/), [Op QUEBEC | Page 3 | Adventure Rider](https://advrider.com/f/threads/op-quebec.1075093/page-3), [Op QUEBEC | Page 4 | Adventure Rider](https://advrider.com/f/threads/op-quebec.1075093/page-4) - [AdventureSmart | Dirt Biking](https://www.adventuresmart.ca/land/dirtbiking.htm) - [Top 10 Motorcycle Routes for 2020 | Northern Ontario Travel](https://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycle-touring/top-10-motorcycle-routes-for-2020) - [1 day snowmobile ride Quebec City or Charlevoix](https://nordexpe.com/en/packages/1-day-snowmobile-ride-quebec-city-or-charlevoix/), [Snowmobile tour 6 days off trail From Labrador city](https://nordexpe.com/en/packages/snowmobile-tour-6-days-in-labrador-frontier/) <br/> ### Other Destinations, Events, and Links - Rallies - La Classique Quebec https://laclassique.ca/ - Dacre Rally "The Longest Day" https://www.rallyconnex.com/dacremotorcycle.html - Roaming Rally Explorers (Quebec/Ontario): [Gravel Travel Canada - Roaming Rally Explorers 2020](http://graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=144&Itemid=144) - Rally Crush Canada / Orange Crush Adenture (Quebec), discontinued: [Le Rally Crush Canada change de format en 2017 pour mieux rebondir en 2018 ! - Rally Crush Canada](http://rallycrushcanada.com/2017/02/rally-crush-canada-change-de-format-2017-mieux-rebondir-2018/) - [Gravel Travel Canada - TCAT](http://graveltravel.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2:trans-canad-adventure-trail&catid=1&Itemid=144) - https://www.fqcq.qc.ca/carte-interactive/ - [Fédération Québécoise des Motos Hors Route (FQMHR)](https://www.fqmhr.qc.ca/en/carte.php) - [Academie Ridaventure](http://academieridaventure.com/en/index.php) - https://ridaventure.ca - https://ridebdr.com - National / State Parks - Death Valley National Park - Olympic National Park - Glacier National Park - Big Bend National Park - Kings Canyon + Sequoia National Park - Acadia National Park - long-distance trail routes - Trans Canada Adventure Trail - Tans Quebec Trail - Trans Europe Trail - great continental divide trail from Canada down through montana, wyoming, colorado, etc. - Romania highlands enduro riding! [Dirt Bike Enduro Tours | Sibiu | Carpathian Adventures in Romania](https://www.carpathianadventures.eu/endurotours) - northeastern quebec trail [Baie-Comeau --- Lac Arthur --- Port-Cartier – Google My Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?&mid=1IFr0xD2Gx3FnJYd0wANe5spl1W0&ll=50.57061010345729%2C-67.5469545&z=8) [image:50A4EDF0-A818-4CF4-8456-B991340D5F3B-19397-00016E4C3D29E967/143587102_2857792217822258_8440913136218293067_n.jpg] - [North East Backcountry Discovery Route (NEBDR) Map & Information](https://ridebdr.com/nebdr/) - [Southern California Backcountry Discovery Route (CABDR-South) Map & Information](https://ridebdr.com/cabdr-south/) - winter sports - [Snow Down - Ontario Snow Bike tour for $149](https://www.rallyconnex.com/snowdown.html) - [Snowmobiling On The Trans-Quebec Trail 83](https://goingawesomeplaces.com/snowmobiling-trans-quebec-trail-83/) <br/> --- <br/> # Related Journals * **[🏍️ Motorbiking Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/motorbikes)** * [🚲 Bicycling Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/bicycle-journal) * [🚐 Vanlife Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/vanlife-journal) * [🧗‍♀️ Climbing Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/climbing-journal) * **[🏁 Racing & Rally Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/racing-journal)** - [🏂 Winter Sports Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/snow-journal) - [🌊 Water Sports Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/water-journal) - [🪂 Air Sports Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/air-journal) - **[🚁 Drone Flying Journal](https://docs.monadical.com/s/drone-journal)** * [🔠 Guide: Riding Tips and Tricks](https://docs.monadical.com/s/motorbikes#%F0%9F%94%A0-Riding-Tips) * **[🗺️ Guide: Off-Road Route Finding & Navigation With GPX Tracks](https://docs.monadical.com/s/offroad-navigation)** * [🧳 Guide: Adventure Gear & Packing Lists for Off-Road Moto-Camping](https://docs.monadical.com/s/packing-lists) * **[🏍️ Listicle: Motorbikes I've Owned and Enjoyed Using](https://docs.monadical.com/s/motorbikes-used)**