Maps to GPX

["Slack Alice" Simon]

The annual subscription to Ordnance Survey is less than £ 30

The maps are then available on any of your devices, downloadable so you are not depending on reception, and printable if you want them on paper.

You get the 1:50000 and the 1:25000 which I use for driving, walking and cycling, and the "standard" map, which is good for finding alleyways if cycling in built-up areas.

And other stuff as well.

The downside is the app is rather clunky, compared with others.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Try this, Chris: https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw/?api=g

[Chris KC]

I've used RidewithGPS.com to do this task. Very easy to plan on tablet or computer and export to phone or other device for sat nav style instuctions.  The only downside is an annual subscription of about £65

Thanks, I'll look into that (despite the fee!)

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The annual subscription to Ordnance Survey is less than £ 30

The maps are then available on any of your devices, downloadable so you are not depending on reception, and printable if you want them on paper.

You get the 1:50000 and the 1:25000 which I use for driving, walking and cycling, and the "standard" map, which is good for finding alleyways if cycling in built-up areas.

And other stuff as well.

The downside is the app is rather clunky, compared with others.

See above Simon. I agree OS is great for shorter journeys in the UK, but I'm looking to plan longer overseas trips.

[Tony Griffiths]

Here's a NAV program that has a "Vintage car route" option. It's called "RouteYou"  Without a subscription it's flooded with ads to the extent that it becomes unusual. Even with a subscription, it's still clunky to use and the "Vintage car routes" really are very long and twisty.

[Chris KC]

Try this, Chris:  https://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw/?api=g

Thanks Ruairidh - but I'm afraid it has the same issue as "maps to gpx".

Specifically: "Due to dramatic reductions in Google's quotas, you can no longer convert Google directions URLs unless you supply your own API key.  See http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/misc/google_api_keys.html for more information".

It would appear Google have pulled the plug on apps which translate their route directions into 3rd party content (such as .gpx converters which enable upload to a device).

Theoretically you can apply for an API key, but step 1 is you have to hand Google your credit card. 
I guess these tools will rapidly fall into disuse (at least, as far as this functionality is concerned).

[Tony Griffiths]

Mr. Costigan and his ability with OS maps is well known - and much appriated by the writer. Here's a picture of him as a handsome young man contemplating his next journey:

[Chris KC]

Here's a NAV program that has a "Vintage car route" option. It's called "RouteYou"  Without a subscription it's flooded with ads to the extent that it becomes unusual. Even with a subscription, it's still clunky to use and the "Vintage car routes" really are very long and twisty.

I'll have a look Tony, thanks. But I think you've put your finger on it. There isn't any route planning tool I'm aware of which does as good a job as Google maps (though even that has been downgraded recently).

TomTom of course offer route planning software, but it's much harder to see detail of the route; also in its latest re-invention they arbitrarily limit the "avoid motorways" option to trips of less than 600 miles. Which of course you could work around by splitting the trip in two - if that were the only issue.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

OS maps are of course not an available for most of the countries you and I enjoy driving across, Chris, so I do understand your pain.

It’s a great shame.

[flynbike]

Afternoon,

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

[Reckless Rat]

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)