How to Import a GPX File into Strava, Garmin and Komoot (2026)
Import a GPX route into Strava, Garmin Connect, Komoot and Apple Watch, with current 2026 steps and fixes for altered or rejected routes.
A GPX file carries a planned GPS route between apps and devices. After exporting your route from Draw My Loop, the practical questions are where to import it in Strava, Garmin Connect or Komoot, how to send it to a watch, and what to verify if the platform recalculates the line. This guide covers the import workflow and troubleshooting steps current in August 2026. Interface labels and subscription requirements can change, so confirm them in the linked platform help before setting out.
What is a GPX File?
GPX is an XML-based format that stores waypoints, tracks, and routes with their geographic coordinates: latitude, longitude, and optionally elevation. It was originally developed by Topografix and has become the de facto standard for exchanging GPS data between apps and devices. When you export from Draw My Loop, the file contains your planned route as a series of ordered trackpoints that your device can follow. Each trackpoint stores precise coordinates, and when connected in sequence, they form the path you'll run or cycle. A typical GPS art route exports as a 50-500 KB plain-text XML file (sometimes called a 'track'), which makes it lightweight to email or share, and readable in any text editor if you ever need to inspect or trim it manually.
How to Import Your GPS Art into Strava (2026 Update)
On the Strava website, open Dashboard, then My Routes and Create New Route. Use the upload control to choose the GPX file, review the route on the map, adjust waypoints or preferences if necessary, and save it. Strava currently documents route creation as a subscription feature, so confirm that your account includes Routes before relying on this workflow. The import can slightly change the line to match Strava's road data; check the start point, distance and shape before syncing it to a compatible device or following it outdoors.
Importing to Garmin Connect
In Garmin Connect, navigate to Training > Courses > Import. Upload the GPX file and it will appear as a new course. Give it a recognizable name like 'GPS Art - Heart' so you can find it easily on your watch. Sync your Garmin device via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and the course will be available for navigation. On the watch, go to Navigation > Courses to select and start following the route. Most modern Garmin watches display the course as a breadcrumb trail on the map screen, with alerts when you deviate from the planned path. For watches with maps (like the Fenix or Forerunner 955 series), you'll see the route overlaid on a full street map, making it much easier to follow complex GPS art routes through unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Other Platforms
Komoot: Import via the web app under 'Plan a Tour' > 'Import File'. Komoot will recalculate the route using its own routing engine, so review the result carefully. Apple Watch: Use the WorkOutDoors app, which is the best option for GPX import on Apple Watch. It provides a real-time map display with your route clearly visible. Suunto: Upload through Suunto App > Route planning, then sync to your watch. Coros: Import via the Coros app's route feature under Training > Courses. Polar: Use Polar Flow's route import feature under Favorites > Routes. Wahoo: Import through the Wahoo companion app or via the planned routes feature on the ELEMNT bike computers. Most modern GPS watches from any brand support GPX route navigation in some form, so check your device's manual for specific instructions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If your route looks different after import, the platform may have re-routed some segments along its own preferred roads. This is normal and usually minor. It happens because each platform has its own road database and routing preferences. If the file won't import at all, check that it's a valid .gpx file and not accidentally compressed as a .zip archive. Some platforms have point limits: Strava caps routes at 25,000 points, while some GPS watches have lower limits around 5,000-10,000 points. If your route exceeds the limit, Draw My Loop's export feature automatically simplifies the path while preserving the shape. Another common issue is the route appearing as a straight line between distant points. This usually means the GPX was exported as waypoints only rather than as a track with dense trackpoints. Draw My Loop exports full tracks by default, so this shouldn't be an issue with our files.
GPX vs TCX vs FIT: Which Format to Choose
While GPX is the most universal format, you may encounter two other common GPS file formats: TCX and FIT. TCX (Training Center XML) was developed by Garmin and includes training-specific data like heart rate zones, laps, and calories in addition to GPS coordinates. It's widely supported by Garmin devices and training platforms but less universally compatible than GPX. FIT (Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer) is a binary format also developed by Garmin. It's more compact and efficient than XML-based formats, making it ideal for devices with limited storage. FIT files are the native format for most modern GPS watches. For GPS art purposes, GPX is almost always the best choice. It's supported by every major platform, it's human-readable, and it handles route data perfectly. Use TCX only if you need to include training targets along with your route. Use FIT only if your specific device requires it and doesn't accept GPX. Draw My Loop exports in GPX format, which can be converted to TCX or FIT using free online tools like GPSBabel if needed.
Advanced Tips
For power users, here are some advanced techniques to get the most out of your GPS art exports. If your exported route has too many points and your device is struggling, you can simplify the GPX file using tools like GPSBabel or the online GPX editor at gpx.studio. These tools reduce point count while preserving the overall shape using the Douglas-Peucker algorithm. Conversely, if your route looks too angular on your device, the file might have too few points, and you can interpolate additional points between existing ones. Before heading out on a long GPS art run, always check the elevation profile in Draw My Loop. It shows you the total ascent and descent, helping you gauge the difficulty and plan your pacing. You can also use Draw My Loop's distance readout to estimate your run time and make sure you have enough daylight and battery life. For multi-day or very long GPS art projects, consider splitting the route into multiple GPX files that cover manageable segments, then combining the recorded activities afterward on Strava for the complete picture.