Gaia GPS includes a wide variety of map sources to customize the map for different activities. This article shows you how to use Adventure Modes, change the active map source, view, and add map sources, and layer multiple maps in the iOS app.
- Adventure Modes
- Custom Mode - Changing Map Sources
- Custom Mode - Layer Multiple Map Sources
- Add More Map Layers
- Delete Map Sources
Note: You need a Premium Membership to view Premium map sources and use Adventure Modes. A Premium Membership also allows you to layer maps together to create a custom view.
Adventure Modes
Adventure Modes provide a pre-set foundation optimized for specific activities. While Custom Mode allows you to build a map from scratch, Adventure Modes let you quickly toggle essential data for your trip.
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Tap the Map Menu icon.
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Select an Adventure Mode (e.g., Hike, Off-Road, or Snow).
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Customize the Mode: Within each mode, you can quickly:
- Pick a Basemap: Choose between Topo, Hi-Res Satellite, or Recent Satellite.
- Toggle Trail Data: Turn activity-specific trail lines on or off.
- Toggle Overlays: Quickly enable overlays like Slope Angle Shading or Private Land (depending on the mode).
Reset Defaults: If you want to return the mode to its original settings, tap the Reset button within the mode menu.
Note: Unlike Custom Mode, you currently cannot add additional unique layers from the full library into a preset Adventure Mode. To build a unique layered map, use Custom Mode.
Custom Mode - Changing Map Sources
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Tap the Map Menu icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
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If it’s not already selected, tap Custom at the top of the menu.
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The current active map layer will appear under Active Layers.
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To view a different layer, tap the toggle next to the preferred layer.
Custom Mode - Layer Multiple Map Sources
Layering allows you to stack maps (e.g., placing Slope Angle Shading over a Topo map) and adjust their transparency.
1. Turn on Layered Maps:
- Tap the Map Menu icon in the lower left.
- Tap the circle icon with the three dots.
- Tap Overlays Menu.
- Scroll to the bottom of the list and toggle Layered Maps to ON.
- Tap Back.
2. Customize the Layered Maps:
- Activate a Source: Tap the toggle next to a source from the Inactive list to make it Active (toggle turns green).
- Deactivate a Source: Tap the toggle on an Active source to make it Inactive (toggle turns gray and moves to the Inactive Layers list).
- Adjust Opacity: Drag the slider under an active source to change its transparency.
- Reorder Layers: Press and hold an active layer, then drag and drop the source to change the order in which they appear on the map. Layers at the top of the list will appear on top of the map.
Add More Map Layers
Gaia GPS has an extensive library of map sources. To add a map source to your layers list, tap the Add More Layers button to explore the map library. You can search by name, view recommended map sources, or browse the categories.
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When you find the source you want to add, tap on it and then tap Add in the upper-right corner.
- The source will then be added to your Inactive list.
- Tap the Back arrow twice and make the source Active on the map by tapping the toggle next to the source.
Adding a Map Source by Searching a Name
- Tap the Map Menu icon and select Custom if it's not already selected.
- Tap Add More Layers.
- Tap in the Search box and enter your search term.
- Tap on a result, then tap Add in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Back twice and tap the toggle on the Inactive Layer to make it active.
Adding a map source by browsing the categories
You can also add sources by browsing the categories in the map menu. Here's how:
- Tap the Map Menu icon and select Custom if it's not already selected.
- Tap Add More Layers.
- Select a category: Weather, Wildfires, Topo, or Satellite
- Tap on a map, then tap Add in the upper-right corner of the map description view.
- Tap Back twice to get back to the Map Layers menu, and tap the toggle on the Inactive Layer to make it active.
Delete Map Sources
To remove a map source from your layers list, you can delete the map in one of the following two ways:
- Swipe left on a layer and tap Delete.
- Alternatively: Select a layer from your list or find it via the Add More Layers button, then tap Remove in the top-right corner of the map details page.
Troubleshooting and Common Questions
- Map sources are blurry when offline: This usually means you have not downloaded the map for offline use.
- Map sources are blurry when online: If maps aren't showing properly while you have a connection, try removing the source from your list, force-closing the app, and re-adding it from the library.
- What's the difference between a layer and a source?: There's no difference. The map layer and map source are used interchangeably in the Gaia GPS app.