Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals




Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By Surfy

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 31 Aug 2024
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 35
Any apps that will suggest off raod routes?

Hi all... i am driving myself a little mad with this and going around in circles. can anyone recommend an app that will automatically preference trails over paved roads when creating a route? much like komoot will do for mtb routes. I apprecite that i can import a gpx file to apps like osmand+ or create my own. what i am interested in is whether or not there is an app that will create an off road route for me. I have found that allowing apps like komoot to suggest mtb routes i have found some unexpected gems and would like to apply the same with my moto adventures. I guess i am looking for something like the calimoto app (does a great job of creating windy road routes) but for trails. any thoughts would be much appreciated... i am utterly lost (excuse the pun) with it all...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Sep 2024
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 331
I'd be interested, too - OSMAnd has routing options for motorcycles and to include off-road, but when I used it it routed me around trails that I know are less distance than the road (though probably slower) and gave the same road route as Google Maps with "avoid motorways" on (though that may be because the non-motorway main roads around here are sufficiently twisty to count as motorcycle fun, lol)
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Sep 2024
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 833


Unfortunately, there isn't one perfect app for that purpose!

What I did for our Offroad Pyrenees Tour in 2024:

I asked friends and blog readers for their recorded 4x4 tracks from the Pyrenees and downloaded any available 4x4 tracks from Wikiloc.

I only used tracks from the last 3 years to avoid too many closed routes.

I imported all the tracks into a new "Google My Maps" project and reviewed them to see if they looked realistic (zooming in with satellite view), as some of them were usually unusable (bad recordings, bad settings..

In the end, I approved a few tracks. I then exported them as KML or KMLZ files and used them in the selected offroad navigation apps, currently GaiaGPS and Mapout.

I simply chose an entry point for the Pyrenees, and once I arrived, I navigated day by day—searching for the most remote or challenging tracks.

These apps are ready for navigation, but it feels like you need to be an offroad tour operator to invest the amount of time required to make them truly usable.

I tried to link my reviews of the apps...

Surfy

Last edited by Surfy; 14 Sep 2024 at 19:54.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Sep 2024
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 331
Mmm, from my point of view the purpose of a good app is to avoid spending ages working stuff out manually ... at that point I may as well just do the whole thing by hand (which I've done before, and then just dumped the file on my Garmin).

I just got back from a hiking holiday in the south of Aragón, and OSMAnd was very handy for identifying routes but not so useful for deciding the routing even when set to it's walking profile. I'm sure it'll get better in due course, there was an update recently that fixed a bunch of stuff.
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Hours Ago
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 833


Here you find all my steps used for route planning and offroad navigation:

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...de-easy-105718

Who likes to read in german language: die Offroad / Track Navigation is available too!

Surfy
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 4 (1 Registered Users and/or Members and 3 guests)
Surfy

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Your favorite Apps for travelling and Overlanding Surfy TRAVEL Hints and Tips 6 23 Jun 2023 11:36
Practicable overland routes in DRC eurasiaoverland sub-Saharan Africa 15 22 Jun 2020 17:01
phone navigation - are there any real differences between apps chilswelluk Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS 2 28 Jul 2019 00:41
The top 10 Apps for travelling overland and abroad Surfy TRAVEL Hints and Tips 20 24 Feb 2016 19:41
Map of off road cycle routes in Scotland mark manley Overland Bicycle Travel 2 7 May 2015 14:41

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:11.