Having trouble finding your way on a map? Are you doing a circuit that is not marked? Or did you simply find a route on the internet? You can track your journey using the geolocation of your smartphone or your activity tracking tools.

Geolocation / GPX file / kml file / GPS track: what is it?

La geolocation is the current position, it can be obtained by the smartphone from its geographic coordinates, defined by GPS reception (or other satellite positioning system).

Le route layout is based on digital geographic information data. These data contain in particular the geographical coordinates (latitude, longitude, altitude) of the points making up the route.

The route of a route is the subject of a geographic file grouping the data. Several formats exist: .gpx (GPS eXchange Format), .kml (Keyhole Markup Language), etc.

When these geographic files are opened by a dedicated application, the applications use the smartphone's geolocation for guidance.

The course outline on a map is a representation of the data.

Have you found the perfect route for you on the internet but you don't know how to follow it? Download the file from a database and then import it to its tracking tool.

The choice of routes

We advise you to choose routes promoted by Cotentin Unique par Nature. These courses were created with municipalities and associations to be adapted to practice and to be of interest. Most of them are marked and are checked regularly.

The routes have been created for a specific practice; for example, we do not recommend following a hiking route by bike. The route has not been designed for this practice and certain prohibitions may apply, such as the ban on cycling on the coastal path. In the other direction, certain routes will be less interesting on foot than by bike.

Most of the routes are published in paper form, in topoguides. Dedicated sheets present a map and, depending on the edition, offer “step-by-step” guidance and a presentation of points of interest.

Marking, following a topoguide, and GPS tracking are 3 complementary options for following a route.

  • Some applications allow direct tracking by navigation. If you found the route on one of these: Activate smartphone geolocation / Start the route navigation on the application, here we go !
  • Some applications offer to find an already existing route, then download a geographic file (.gpx, .kml formats, etc.).

This is particularly the case

As well as on Komoot

Once you have downloaded a geographic file (.gpx, .kml, etc.), you now need to import it.

  • If you already have a route tracking application, then you must: Import the previously downloaded geographic file / Activate smartphone geolocation / Start route navigation on the application.

For example on Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/upload

  • If you have a compatible watch or activity tracker, the processes may differ but generally you need to: Import the previously downloaded geographic file / Synchronize the application and the tracking tool / Start navigation of the route on the tool
  • Don't have a tool yet? Install one, many smartphone applications exist. Overall, the operation is still the same. It's necessary : Import the previously downloaded geographic file / Activate smartphone geolocation / Start route navigation on the application. Depending on the tools, there may be voice or written navigation (turn left, etc.), or a simple point on the map which tells you your position in relation to the route.

To go further: route planners

Some applications allow you to adapt an existing route, or even create your own route, by indicating the starting point, the arrival point and possible crossing points.

The planner of these applications will suggest the most suitable route depending on the type of practice and the sporting level indicated. To do this, the planner uses its internal data with information on as many routes as possible (types of roads, paths, trails, etc.), and searches for the best compromise between suitable route and the fastest route.

Most of these applications offer geolocation in order to follow your route, with navigation or not.

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