Create, Edit, and Measure Routes in the iOS App

This article will show you how to create and edit routes on your iPhone and iPad using either the snap-to-trail or straight line route builder. You can also use routes to measure distances on the map. 

Create a new route

1. From the Map tab, tap the + icon and select “Create Route”

2. Choose a routing mode:

• Hiking: snaps to all trails and roads.
• Cycling: snaps only to trails and roads marked as open to cyclists.
• Driving: snaps only to roads.
• Straight Line: does not snap to trails or roads.

Note: Snap-to-trail routing only works with trails and roads displayed on Gaia Topo. Follow these steps to make Gaia Topo the active map layer.

To use snap-to-trail routing while offline, you must download offline routing data when you download maps for offline use.

3. Tap and drag the blue dot to the start of your route.  Tap and hold anywhere on the screen to plot your next point. Drag the blue dots to change the route. Tap a blue dot and then tap the pencil icon to delete a route point or turn a route point into a waypoint.

4. When you finish plotting the route, tap Save at the top-right of the screen.

5. From the Name and Save screen, you can:

• Add a route title
• Choose an activity (e.g., hiking, off-roading, skiing)
• Change the color of the route
• File the route into a folder
• Set privacy for the route
• Download offline maps for the route

Download offline maps for your route

From the Name and Save screen, tap Download Maps. Toggle on the layers you want to download for offline use. If you'd like to create additional routes while offline, make sure the Offline Route Data is toggled on.

Please note a Gaia GPS Premium Membership is required to download offline maps.

Edit an existing route

• Add another point to the end of the route - Long-press any spot on the map to add a new point to the end of your route. 
• Reposition points - Tap and hold on a point and reposition it.
• Delete points - Tap on a point, tap the pencil icon and then select "Delete".
• Name a point - Tap on a point, tap the pencil icon and then select "Name Waypoint" 
• Add points to the middle of the route - Tap and drag any of the interval distance markers to add a new point along the route.

5. Tap "Save" to save your edits.

Reverse a route

Reversing a route creates a new route in the opposite direction of the original route.

Common Questions and Troubleshooting

Route is not snapping to trail

1. Snap-to-trail routing only works with trails and roads displayed on Gaia Topo. Follow these steps to make Gaia Topo the active map layer.

2. If the blue dots are not close to the trail/road, the line may not snap. Zoom in further and drag the blue dots directly on top of the trail/road.

3. If snap-to-trail is not working, when you are offline, it may be that you did not download offline routing data when you downloaded your map. Follow these steps to download offline routing data: Download Maps for Offline Use.

Combine snap-to-trail and straight line routing

The routing tool will default to straight line routing in areas without trails.  Choose your preferred routing mode and then tap along the area without trails.  Do not change your route to straight line mode, or it will turn the entire route into a straight-line route.  If the route is still snapping to nearby trails, try zooming in and placing the first off-trail route point closer to the last on-trail route point.