Move your mountain library

Move from Gaia GPS to Traverse without redrawing your routes.

Export a single route on your phone, or collect a whole Gaia folder into one GPX file. Then open it with Traverse and keep planning on real 3D terrain.

The short answer

Gaia GPS can export tracks, routes, waypoints, areas, and folders as GPX. On iPhone, choose Share → Export File → GPX, then choose Import to Traverse in the share sheet. For a larger move, export a Gaia folder or upload multiple GPX files to Traverse on the web.

Export one Gaia route on iPhone

  1. Open Saved in Gaia GPS and locate the track, route, or waypoint.
  2. Tap Share, then Export File.
  3. Choose GPX and select Import to Traverse in the share sheet. If it is hidden, tap More and add the action.
  4. Review the imported line in Traverse, then save it to Atlas or add it to a trip plan.

Move a Gaia folder or your whole library on the web

  1. Sync Gaia GPS so the latest routes and waypoints are visible at gaiagps.com.
  2. Open the folder or data category you want to move and choose Export.
  3. Select GPX. Gaia can export a folder, or all tracks, routes, areas, or waypoints from its iOS Saved list.
  4. Open Traverse on the web, choose Atlas → Import GPX, and select one or more files.

What moves across

  • Route and track geometry — Yes: The line and GPS points are parsed into a Traverse route or activity.
  • Waypoints — Yes: Imported waypoints can be organised into Atlas folders.
  • Photos — No: Export photos separately; GPX is a location file, not a photo archive.
  • Gaia styling and folder permissions — Limited: Names and coordinates transfer; app-specific styling and sharing rules do not.
  • KML or GeoJSON — Convert first: For the cleanest route import, choose GPX when Gaia offers both formats.

Why move the route?

Gaia is excellent at storing a large personal map library. Traverse adds a more focused alpine planning surface around the line: 3D terrain, slope and aspect, recent SnowSight imagery, GlacierIQ context, route weather, trip plans, and offline regions.

After import, make the route useful

Open the route in Traverse, inspect its elevation and steep sections, add huts or crux waypoints, check conditions at the route elevation, and save the area for offline use.

Frequently asked questions

Can I export all my Gaia GPS data as one GPX?

Gaia supports exporting folders and category-wide tracks, routes, areas, or waypoints. A GPX file contains geographic data; photos and some app-specific metadata need a separate backup.

Does Traverse accept multiple GPX files?

Yes. The Traverse web Atlas accepts multiple GPX files in one import session. The iPhone share action is best for one file at a time.

Is GPX import included in Traverse Free?

GPX import is currently a Pro feature. The migration page should show the current requirement clearly until the product's migration experience changes.

Sources

Open Traverse

Reviewed .