My backup: Navigation using Organic Maps
While I always use a Garmin navigation device on my journeys, I need a backup just in case it breaks. With the mobile app Organic.Maps I found a great solution. Organic.Maps is a fork of Maps.me that was formed when Maps.me started
offering paid services.
Characteristics of Organic Maps
Organic.Maps is available for iOS and Android, uses Openstreetmap Data and is free.
![](https://gravelmaps.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/iTunes-File-Sharing.jpg)
Route planning
The planning of the routes (tracks & waypoints) is done as usual in Basecamp.
![](https://gravelmaps.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Basecamp-Planung.jpg)
From Basecamp, the planning data is exported as GPX and converted into KML using my program GPX_2_KML_4_Orga.exe. Exporting directly from Basecamp to KML will not fully suit colors etc!
In the end it looks something like this:
![](https://gravelmaps.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_6803.png)
Best Practice
To increase readability, it is a good idea to divide a longer tour into individual routes (e.g. by day). This gives you the possibility to switch on/off the individual routes (days) in Organic.Maps. In addition, you can see immediately where the day’s stage starts and ends.
The Program
To convert the GPX data into a meaningful KML for Organic Maps I wrote this program.
- The program is published on Github.
- Select the green button “<> Code”
- Select: Download ZIP
- Unload the ZIP File to a working directory.
- On Github follow the readme.
- If you want to know more details, see the readme-licence.pdf.