How to export a GPX file from Strava, Komoot, Garmin and others

Before you start. Apps change their menus regularly, and the wording depends on the language of your account. The steps below are the ones I noted when writing this guide; if something has moved, look for a “…”, “Share”, “Export” or “Download” menu in the same place. In almost every case, exporting is easier from the website than from the mobile app.

Activity or route: not the same file

An activity is a ride you've already done and recorded with a bike computer or phone. A route (or course, or tour) is a line prepared in advance, usually drawn on a map. For a sticker or an event roadbook you generally want the route: the one the organiser publishes or the one you planned. For a ride report, you want the activity.

It matters for elevation: an activity recorded by a unit with a barometer contains measured altitudes; a route drawn on a map contains altitudes taken from a terrain model, when it has any at all.

Strava

Activity: on strava.com, open the activity, click the “…” button in the left-hand column, then “Export GPX”. This is only offered for your own activities.

Route: open it from your dashboard (Routes), then look for the export button, labelled “Export GPX” or “Export GPX file” depending on the version. Strava sometimes offers two variants, one for navigation on a bike computer and a simpler one: both contain the line.

Direct export isn't always available in the mobile app: use the website instead, even from your phone's browser in “desktop site” mode.

Komoot

On komoot.com, open the tour (planned or completed). The download sits in the tour's menu, often behind a “…” or “More” button, under something like “Download” or “Export GPX”. Depending on your plan and the type of tour, Komoot may offer several formats: pick GPX, and the “track” version rather than “waypoints”, which only holds a few points.

Garmin Connect

Activity: on connect.garmin.com, open the activity, click the gear icon at the top right, then “Export to GPX”.

Course: go to Training & Planning, then Courses, open the course and look for the GPX export option in its menu.

Garmin Connect can also export the original file (FIT format): that isn't a GPX, and the tools on this site can't read it.

Wahoo

Wahoo units record rides as FIT files, and the Wahoo app mainly passes them on to other services. The easiest way is to link your Wahoo account to Strava, Komoot or RideWithGPS, then export the GPX from that service as above. If all you have is the FIT file, free conversion software such as GPSBabel can turn it into a GPX.

For a route loaded on your Wahoo, go back to where it came from: almost always Komoot, RideWithGPS, Strava or a file sent by an organiser.

RideWithGPS

On ridewithgps.com, open the route or ride, then the export menu (“Export” or “…”). Choose GPX, as a “Track” (the full line) rather than “Route” when both are offered. Some export options depend on your account type; if the button is greyed out, that's probably why.

An event website

Most events publish their route a few weeks before the start, sometimes as a direct link to a .gpx file, sometimes as a link to Komoot, RideWithGPS or Strava. In that case, open the link and export from the platform as above.

Two things to watch. First, check the date of the route: courses often change from one year to the next, sometimes a few days before the start (roadworks, permits, weather). Second, if this year's route isn't out yet, last year's gives a good idea of the profile, but not necessarily of the feed stops. And if you plan to share or print an organiser's route, remember it's their work.

Check the file is good

A GPX is a plain text file. To know whether it's usable:

• It must contain elevation. Open it in a text editor: you should see <ele> tags inside the <trkpt> or <rtept> points. Without them, no profile is possible.
• It must have enough points. A few dozen points for 100 km gives an angular profile and underestimates the climbing. In that case, look for the “track” option rather than “route” or “waypoints”.
• The simplest test is to try it: drop it into the elevation profile generator. If the file has no elevation, it will tell you straight away.

Once you have your file, you can turn it into an image for your roadbook, or into a race profile sticker for the top of your top tube. And if you're preparing a long ride, have a look at the guide to planning your feed stops.