Gaia GPS Tutorial

This is a tutorial covering the 3 main functions of the app Gaia GPS: importing a track, downloading map layers, and adding a waypoint and navigating to it. Gia GPS works on both iPhone and Android platforms. For most recreational users, this $20 app can replace an expensive GPS receiver.

[@teaforthree1]

Very good. In 2022 the layout is different but this still helped a lot

[@johngo6283]

Henry, glad you like it. Yes, this video shows a earlier version of the software. I made a follow up one in 2017 , and that one matches more closely what the app looks like today. Here's a link to that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZm9nYSrq71gi8U

[@sharonyoung9236]

Thanks so much! I'm introducing GaiaGPS to my San Diego Sierra Club backpacking group this weekend. You've done all my work. This is much easier to follow than Gaia's tutorials. They should hire you!

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

+Sharon Young hi Sharon, thank you for the kind words. I am just trying to get the word out so more people use this app, so Gaia will be around for all of us to enjoy for a long time. I have no affiliation with the company, just trying to share what I think is a good resource. Great that you are introducing it to your backpack group! You're welcome to look at the other videos on our channel because we have lots more navigation instructional resources there. Especially caltopo.com, which lets you print completely free till the graphic maps of almost any scale anywhere in the world. Also, I have a keynote/PowerPoint Gaia a presentation available. Please answer here if you were interested in this, and I can perhaps pass it along to you.

[@ge1773]

I just signed up and was struggling to find some basic videos. Thank you for making a beginner's video. Please make more and keep going step-by-step. Very helpful.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

G E, thank you for your kind comments, I'm glad you found it useful. After you learn the basics, just go take a walk in your neighborhood or in a park for an hour or so and start playing with the app, you should figure out most of it.

[@gausselim1474]

This is the best tutorial I've seen yet. Thanks a mil for sharing!

[@kirknewgard8388]

CROC - thanks for the tutorial. It is amazing to me that Gaia GPS ($20) plus Caltopo (free) on my smartphone can replace all of the basic functionality of my Garmin GPSmap 62 ($300) plus Garmin Topo ($100). And my smartphone has a much better screen than my Garmin GPS!

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Justin, good tip, thanks pointing that out. I do not have an Apple Watch so I appreciate your suggestion.

[@larrykay6606]

I just downloaded the Gaia gps app for my iPhone 6 Plus and find your videos extremely helpful!!! Thank you.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Larry, We appreciate the good words. Go have some fun with this app, it is extremely helpful. Many outdoor adventures to you.

[@myadventureoutdoors]

This video is better than anything GAIA has produced. Thanks very much.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi adventure outdoors, Thanks for the thumbs up. I am in contact with the developers at Gaia, and they are putting a lot of effort into improving the app itself and not so much at this time into instructional videos. So, between their development and people like me posting on KZbin, hopefully that's the best of both worlds.

[@vickihill2764]

Great video. Showed exactly the three functions I needed!

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Vicki, I'm glad you enjoyed this video. Gaia is coming out with some pretty cool new features, but this video covers most of the core reasons why people will be using the app. Get out there and have some fun with it!

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Folks have some questions about where tracks come from. I can see that I did not cover this adequately in the video. GPS tracks come from three main sources. 1 - A track you have saved yourself from a previous trip. 2 - A track you draw in mapping software, such as Cal Topo, and then export as a GPX file 3 - A track you download from the web, hopefully from a trusted source. I like GPSies.com. How to use Caltopo to draw a track on a topo map export it as a GPX file: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJu4oGmGrK2gd7M How to use GPSIES to find tracks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIvUm6yFnNeUgJo

[@nystromauful]

Which are?

[@johngo6283]

Albert, Click on the "Read More" link on the above post to see the three sources.

[@adammuldoonam]

i don't see a read more link...

[@mcbbcn]

Loved the video. I learned a few more things about how to use the app. Thank you so much

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Miguel, Glad you enjoyed it, have fun using the app.

[@anonymoustruth995]

Great tutorial, Thank you for taking your time doing this.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi V, I'm glad you liked the video. Feel free to look at the rest of our series the coverage map and compass use.

[@noflyzone13]

great video ,i just downloaded this app and this has been very helpful thank you .

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Matt, Thank you for your kind words. It's great that you are enjoying using this app. It is indeed very helpful and I hope it makes your outdoor ventures even better.

[@SoutheastBackpacker]

Nice job on the tutorial. Well presented.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi SE Backpacker, I appreciate your comments, glad you liked it. Have fun outside!

[@vjazz79]

Great tutorial tx

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

vjazz, Glad you enjoyed it. If you want to learn some compass skills and a place to get free topo maps, check out the other videos on our channel. Have fun!

[@michaelambrose]

Most helpful video on the web. Have you considered doing an updated tutorial of the app now that the selections are all in different places now?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Michael, that is an excellent suggestion, thank you. The answer is yes, I am working on a new video for the recent update to Gaia GPS and should have it up in a week or so.

[@michaelambrose]

Columbia River Orienteering Club 🙌🏼

[@maw1000]

Great video by the way. I am new using GPS. So I was wondering did you create GPX track or did you download it from a certain site? I am looking to do a hike this weekend and was trying to create a trail with waypoints but wasn't sure if they're already out there free to download?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Mark, First off, sorry took me a while to get back to you on this. I addressed your question in the previous comment, the answer to which I have copy and pasted below. Generally, I use caltopo.com, draw the line where I want to go, and then export that as a GPX file. ======== Folks have some questions about where tracks come from. I can see that I did not cover this adequately in the video. GPS tracks come from three main sources. 1 - A track you have saved yourself from a previous trip. 2 - A track you draw in mapping software, such as Cal Topo, and then export as a GPX file 3 - A track you download from the web, hopefully from a trusted source. I like GPSies.com. How to use Caltopo to draw a track on a topo map export it as a GPX file: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJu4oGmGrK2gd7M How to use GPSIES to find tracks: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIvUm6yFnNeUgJo

[@HotelWhiskeyZulu]

Excellent tutorial. Very easy to follow especially that the subtitles work well. Quick question: How can I import satellite imagery maps for off line use? The Mapquest imagery doesn't work in Saudi Arabia. Was wondering if there is a way to import Google Earth satellite maps? Cheers

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi! Thanks for asking about satellite imagery for Saudi Arabia. Perhaps this is not available on the $20 version of the app, but I have the Gaia Pro version, and I'm looking at a map later now call "Mapbox Aerial" that seems to have good satellite coverage of Saudi Arabia. I suggest you email Gaia tech support and ask them, but I bet Gaia Pro has some extra map layers that will be helpful for you. (and I do not think it is possible to import Google Earth satellite imagery to Gaia.)

[@tom98136]

super useful thanks

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Tom, I appreciate your comments. Gaia does have a few quirks, but overall it's a solid app that works really well. Get out there and have some fun!

[@gausselim1474]

Question: If a track is not available for the hike/trail you're interested in, can you download the map area only? I guess I would have to allow Gaia to track me so I could set the trail. Am I correct about this? Will the maps sometimes show the dash lines where a trail is supposed to be, like on NatGeo topo map?

[@Pqiao2008]

my manual window (by click three lines in the left upper corner) looks some different with yours.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi PP, when I made this video, it was with an earlier version of the software. The interface is slightly different today, but the core features of the app are pretty much the same. Hopefully you can figure this out, and happy adventures!

[@greentea6694]

Thanks for the video. I mailed a map to my personal e-mail address. When I opened the attachemt (long touch) the Gaia GPS does not pop out on my iPhone.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

+green tea Hi Green Tea, I'm not sure this is the issue if you're not, but I'm pretty sure you need to open the app in the native iPhone mail app that's on the bottom of your home screen, and not in Gmail or anything else. If your main email account, for example Gmail, is not connected to your Apple Mail app, try sending a email to < [e-mail] >. You also have to have Gaia let it onto your phone, but you have probably done this already. If this still does not work, I encourage you to contact Gaia tech support. They are very responsive and I'm sure can solve this for you.

[@ZoFerguson]

My iPhone has 2 Gaia app options. What is the difference between the Gaia GPS Topo Bundle and the Gia GPS Classic? They are both $20. I am hiking the PCT soon and trying to pick my navigation apps. Thank you.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Zo, yes, deciding on which version of Gaia to get is a little confusing right now on the Apple Store. You want to get the version called "Gaia GPS: Topo maps and hiking trails". The icon for this app has a yellow border around it, and the release date is I believe May 2017. This is the newest version, and has some significant enhancements over the old one, which is called "Gaia GPS classic" on the App Store.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

NOTE: There is a major revision of this app that was released in Spring 2017 for the iPhone. I made a new video that covers the main features of this new app. Search for "Gaia GPS tutorial 2017" to see it.

[@noahnoble8469]

sorry, i have 2 questions: 1, how do i know if i am hiking on the route? does the gps tells me or it just calculates the length of time that i hike? 2, google provides many street view photo, can they get downloaded to the app so that i can view them in order to confirm i'm on the right route

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Noah, When you have a GPX track loaded to your phone, you can know if you are on the correct route or not. For example, imagine you are trying to follow a hiking trail that is covered with snow. If you have a GPS track of where the trail should be, a little orange triangle will show your location on the map. If you keep your orange triangle more less on top of the track, you know you are right on the trail. If the orange triangle starts to deviate left or right from the track, you know you are getting off of the correct route. Does that make sense? As far as I know you cannot use Google Street view in Gaia GPS, it's more of a tool for hiking and travel in the backcountry.

[@Pqiao2008]

Hi, I don't see download button, so there is no orange cover on the track. What did I wrong. Also, after I imported the map in the iPhone, I dont see the track in the track button, instead, its in folder. I see the download in that window but when I click it, nothing happened. Please help.

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi PP, As I mentioned above, the interface in the newer version of this app is slightly different than in my video. Downloaded tracks now appear in a folder, and not in the tracks directory. Once you email a GPX track to yourself and long touch the file attachment, it should now be visible in the folder in Gaia. Next, tap the image/icon for the track. This should open up a more detailed page of info on the track. Then click "Show on Map", and the track should appear on your screen with whatever background map you have currently visible. I hope that helps!

[@jbdaddyz]

Hello, Can I use this app to walk trails at a camp where I am trying to create a map for people to use. I have a friend who works for a mapping company that can draw the trails if I can walk them and export to a KML file

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Yes, you absolutely can do this. Make sure you have a good signal to the end, turn on the phone in your pocket to record a track mode, and then walk on all of the trails. Save your track, and email it to your mapping friend who should be able to easily work with it. I have use this app to make maps for orienteering course is, and it works great.

[@rivermalcolm7100]

Can anyone help me? I cannot find any way to email an AnyTrails track to myself, nor can I download it to my iphone as the EveryTrails app is not available from the app store. Is there a way to use this track? Are there any free trail tracks that I can get and download into Gaia?

[@johngo6283]

+River Malcolm Hi River, I'm not sure about the format that any trails uses. The standard format for sharing GPS data among different devices and software has a file extension of .GPX. Most flavors of mapping software and mapping websites should be able to save or export a track in this format. Once you have a GPX file on your hard drive, then email it to yourself as a file attachment, open the email on your smart phone, and do a "long touch" on the attachment as I show in this video, and that should hopefully open it for you in the app. Good luck!

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

+River Malcolm hi River, sorry it took me well to get back to you on this. I'm not sure of the file format for any trails. The file you email to yourself needs to be in a .GPX format, which is sort of a universal file sharing format for geographic data. Website such as www.gpsvisualizer.com/gpsbabel/ can be very helpful to translate from one file format into another. See if any trails gives you the option to see if your track as a GPX file, then you are in business. Another option is to look for hikes on track filesharing websites, my favorite is GPSies.com. Good luck!

[@atlantagdesign2011]

Yeah, im stuck. you tutorial sounds great, but i can follow your directions because the first step is to email myself a .gpx file the gpx track i need is for Jack River Falls. How i do this... Thank you all

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Carlos, Gaia GPS is very useful in many ways, and does not require you to start with a GPS track. If you know the area where you are going, you can still download the maps and use the app just fine. However, with a GPX track, it can make staying on route easier, especially when traveling off trail. If you watch my video on using Caltopo, I show how you can draw a GPX track yourself with this free software. Good luck!

[@eljayhughes]

can you find locations on airplane mode and what you had discussed in the video? thanks

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Lj, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by your question, but I'll give it a try. From what I've seen, Gaia has full functionality when you are in airplane mode, including following a tracks, recording tracks, marking waypoints, and using the "Guide me" function to get distance and bearing to a waypoint. I suggest you try it out just by going for a walk around your neighborhood to be sure it works the way you want it to.

[@eljayhughes]

Columbia River Orienteering Club thanks,

[@onabatsback]

I see that I can change the color of a track that I create, but I also want to change the color of a track that I import from the web site. Is this possible?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi batsback, Yes, it is possible to do that. In the new version of the app try this: Tap the "Saved" icon on the bottom row. Tap the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner, and choose tracks to see all of your saved tracks. Select the track of which that you want to change the color. Now, near the upper right-hand corner you should see an icon that looks like a little pen or pencil with a circle around it. This is the edit icon. If you tap it, you can change the title, change the color or crop the track to make it shorter. Give this a try and let me know how it goes, good luck!

[@modernrider1398]

I'm frustrated. This is the 10th tutorial Ive seen and no one says how to tell it to nav to a location. when i get going i disapear off the map and then have to stop and re zoom everything making it worthless

[@limodrivermike]

i struggle with step 1 already. where do i find a track that i can email to myself?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Mike, a good place to start is Alltrails.com. Zoom into your area of interest, find a hike that someone else has done that you want to try, Click the three dots "More" Button on the left side of the menu screen, then select "Download route" to save the GPX file of that hike onto your hard drive.

[@trooper2221]

Wonder if resolution will be improved on satellite view?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi trooper, resolution and color quality on the satellite imagery can definitely vary throughout the world. Gaia uses several different sources of aerial imagery. If one of them does not give you the resolution you need, you might want to try another. Also, you can count on satellite resolution improving over time, so maybe check back in a year or so. (I do not work for Gaia, so I'm not able to answer your question directly, just give it an educated guess.)

[@johngo6283]

trooper, here is something I just discovered with satellite maps. The imagery loads and several different resolutions. If you zoom in close to your area and it looks kind of fuzzy, try zooming in a little bit more. You might be happily surprised when it suddenly becomes a lot higher resolution.

[@1Mrdreadful]

was that a track of mt st Helens that you made or was it someone else's that you downloaded?

[@johngo6283]

+1Mrdreadful that was a track that I downloaded from GPSies.com, which is about the best outdoor track sharing website that I have found. Also, the Mazamas mountaineering club in Portland Oregon, (if you're in the Northwest), has a great selection of free GPX files for most of the major climbing routes in the northwest. Go to mazamas.org, >> Resources >> Maps for climbing and hiking.

[@mneptune1]

Same question I had. It seems like the author is saying you have to download a saved trail that some anonymous person posted previously. If that is the case then this app is worthless to someone blazing their own trail in the bush for hunting, fishing etc. I guess I'll stick to a hard copy of USGS topo maps and my trusty compass and pacing beads, they haven't failed me yet. Plus the old method never runs out of battery power : )

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

+Judge Roy Bean Hi Judge Roy, I can see that people have some questions about where tracks come from. I'll try to address them. GPS tracks come from three main sources. 1 - A track you have saved yourself from a previous trip.2 - A track you draw in mapping software, such as Cal Topo, and then export as a GPX file3 - A track you download from the web, hopefully from a trusted source. Re #3, yes, you need to exercise some common sense when you download the track from the Internet from someone you don't know. Ideally you are somewhat familiar with the area, and if you view the track over mapping software, like Cal Topo, you can get an idea if it's accurate. Regarding bushwhacking for hunting, then most of the time you're probably not going to be walking on a track that someone else has recorded, so the feature of following the track will not be so helpful. And, you are absolutely correct that a map and compass in your brain are the three primary navigation tools.The GPS is only a back up to those three when together they are not working to fix your position.But, paper maps can get lost, blow away, get wet, etc. If you do you get turned around, you have your phone and GPS right there in your pocket. 1 - Turn it on2 - Get a position fix3 - Transfer that position onto your map4 - Turn your phone off5 - Use map and compass to get back to where you need to go. I hope this is helpful.Personally, I think everyone who ventures in the back country and off trail smart phone should have an app like this. You're already carrying the weight of your phone, just spent $20 and an hour or so to learn how to use it and it can someday seriously save your behind.

[@mneptune1]

Thank you for such a timely and exceptional response. You made a valid argument that will make me reconsider this app. Maybe I can trouble you with one more question, is there a complete instructional video on this app on KZbin? I see several very short vids but was wondering if the developer made a in depth "how to"?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

+Judge Roy Bean Hi Judge, I am not aware of any instructional videos for Gaia GPS that are more detailed than mine. I have been in contact with the Gaia technical team, and I am told that they are planning some instructional videos in the near future. Overall, the app is fairly straightforward. Watch my video another time or two, and just get comfortable with the basic features of adding waypoints, downloading maps to cover your area, etc. One of the nice things about it is that you can practice it anywhere, you don't need to go to the woods. Go find a park near your house, play with the app for an hour or so, and I'm sure you will more or less figure things out. Have fun with it!

[@fickelfind]

I can't even get started using these instructions. Re: the map How do I "email it to myself"? Where am I getting the map, emailing from where???

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Denise, you get a GPX track file where are you want to go for a outdoor trip. You can find these on many hiking related websites. Save the GPX file to your hard drive, then email it to your phone as a show in the video. An alternative is to make an account at GaiaGPS.com, upload the file to your account, and then it will automatically sync with your phone. I'm sorry you found these instructions difficult to use, I'll try to help you if I can.

[@fickelfind]

@@columbiariverorienteeringc5395 Thank you so much for your response. I went to the Washington Trails Ass. page and looked at a trail I would like to get a map for, but don't see anything about a gpx map option. Check here: www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/whipple-creek-park. Can you give me more direction using this page as an example? Also, I'm a member of CROC. I suggested to the organizer that a training be taught on how to use GAIA. I could come up with a small group myself as several of us are struggling to figure it out.

[@trooper2221]

But how do I get it to record my tracks? Please

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Trooper, here's how you use it to record tracks. At the very lower right corner of the screen, you may see a blue semi circle with the white triangle in it. Tap this. This brings up the trip statistics screen. Do a long touch on the screen, and then you can cycle through three different columns of statistics to be displayed. One of them is the recording button. If you have this recording button displayed, you can tap it to start recording, pause, and save your own track. I highly recommend recording a track on airplane mode, as it will give you dramatically better battery life. Good luck and have fun with it!

[@trooper2221]

Where did u get the gpx track?

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi trooper, See my comment below from six months ago. I usually get tracks from one of two sources. 1) GPSies.com, which is a worldwide track sharing website where people upload tracks of their trips to share with everyone. and 2) Caltopo.com, a terrific free mapping site where you can draw freehand line on your map and waypoints, and then export both of them as a GPX file and just save it to your hard drive. Here is a link to my tutorial video on using Caltopo, with a segment of how to to add waypoints draw lines, and export. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJu4oGmGrK2gd7M

[@trooper2221]

Ok now I see no option within gpsies to e mail a track

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

hi Trooper, You first have to download the file from GPSies (or anywhere else) to your hard drive. After you do that, you can right-click on it and choose something like "share file" or "email file", or something like that and then send it to your phone. Or, open your email program from your desktop and select GPX file as an attachment and send it to yourself that way. I hope this helps, good luck!

[@atlantagdesign2011]

+Columbia River Orienteering Club where and how i can get the gps track of Jack River Falls GA? Any help please, Need to email me that file to upload it to GAiA Thanks!

[@columbiariverorienteeringc5395]

Hi Carlos, yes, finding a GPS track of a particular hike can be a challenge. As I wrote below, they come three main sources. If you already know where the hike goes, you can go to Caltopo.com, draw a line on the map, and then exported as a GPX file that you can then use on your phone. If you do not know where the hikers, try doing a Google search. Good luck!

[@atlantagdesign2011]

thanks for your quick response. i know how the trail goes . I found it in another map. Cant make it work on caltop. here is my email [e-mail] . please re send me whatever so I can reply you with more details of where i found it and hopefully give a better idea and you can help me out. Thanks,