Maps to GPX

[Chris KC]

Afternoon,

One option might be to use the TomTom website to plan the route. It has an export to GPX feature.

TomTom have changed all their software & I'm still trying to get my head around it. But the maps are much harder to use than Google - unless you have a massive screen perhaps; the smaller details are hard to make out without losing the overview.

Plus TomTom in their infinite wisdom now disallow "non-motorway" routes which exceed 600 miles. Yes of course you can break the journey into shorter legs, but it's already hard enough.

[Duncan Grimmond]

I use both a TomTom satnav and an app on my phone to try to sort routes out but never go anywhere without a map...sort of belt, braces AND a piece of binder-twine (billyband in our local vernacular)

[Chris KC]

For Macronland there are IGN series maps available (Institut Geographique National) in various scale series dependant on your needs from large scale (1:200000) to (1: 25000)
They are called TOP 200, TOP 100, TOP75 and TOP 25 and to all intents and purposes are as detailed as UK OS maps.

The main website is here (but there is no English Language option, sadly) : https://boutique.ign.fr/cartes/cartes-ign-france.html

for example - Rekkersland in 1:25000



This map dates from 1989 (I've had it a while)

I didn't know that Bruce, so thanks for the tip.

However the "Maps to GPX" conversion tool enabled pre-planning of long distance routes into satnav, on roads which sometimes looked like this:
   
We did 1000 miles on back roads to Slovenia last year without having to look at a map. And with no driver/ navigator friction! 
The reduction in stress, arguments, and time wasted stopping at every other junction was beyond calculation.
The built-in satnav tools will generally put you on either motorways or the fastest / most direct alternative whereas this method allowed you to choose your own roads.

[Reckless Rat]

As belt, braces, baling twine and a full body condom I took paper maps, phone and a GPS with me when I did the Santiago run in 2019. Michelin can supply 1:400,000 scale maps of Spain (and probably other European countries as well) which certainly helped with route planning.

[Chris KC]

Yes I heartily agree you should always carry a 'proper' map as back-up.
The satnav throws a wobbly from time to time, or sometimes just points you in questionable directions - and then it's good to be able to pull over and make an independent judgement.

[Chris KC]

FIXED!!

I had a brief chat with Sverrir Sigmundarson (author of "Maps to GPX" software) and he has just released an update which fixes the issue.

Tomorrow I'm sitting down to plan some travel...

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Great news - may I ask which country?

[Chris KC]

Great news - may I ask which country?

That's a difficult question to answer Ruairidh. I finally retired in May, but immediately got lumbered as executor to an overseas estate, and that has totally gobbled up my "liberation" year. Thus I'm now busy hatching plans for trips North, South and East, which are finally free of the need to be back at work within 3 weeks. I have to hit some running repairs in early spring & then as soon as the estate is settled I'm off.....somewhere! Scandinavia again maybe? Will keep you posted.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Please do - always keen to hear of new places to explore...