Open Standard
GPX means GPS Exchange Format, an XML-based file structure built to share coordinates, routes, and waypoints.
Broad Support
Strava, Garmin, Wahoo, and Komoot all understand GPX in common route and import workflows.
Route First
GPX is a strong choice when the path matters most and you want a portable file that moves cleanly between tools.
What is a GPX file?
GPX stands for GPS Exchange Format. It is an XML format used to describe geographic information such as track points, routes, and waypoints. Because it is structured and widely supported, a GPX file is easy to move between sports platforms, route planners, cycling computers, and mapping apps.
For athletes, that portability is the main advantage. A single GPX route can be uploaded to Strava, opened in Garmin Connect, imported into Wahoo tools, or reused in Komoot. If your goal is to preserve the line of a ride or run with clean GPS coordinates, GPX is usually the most direct option.
When do you need to generate a GPX file?
Generating a GPX file makes sense whenever you need route data but do not already have the right export. Common cases include planning a custom course, rebuilding an activity that failed to record properly, correcting a messy trace, or preparing a file for a manual upload workflow.
Plan a route before a ride or run and export it as a clean GPX track.
Create a believable activity file when the original workout did not record correctly.
Fix a broken trace with missing points, bad timestamps, or a corrupted export.
Upload a file manually to Strava, Garmin Connect, Wahoo, or Komoot when sync fails.
How to create a GPX file with ForgePace
ForgePace is designed for direct file generation rather than raw XML editing. You start with the practical inputs that matter, then export a GPX file that is ready to use. If you want to build a route now, the fastest path is the ForgePace GPX generator.
1. Choose the starting place
Enter the city, road, or landmark where the route should begin. ForgePace uses that location as the base for the generated path.
2. Set duration and activity
Pick the sport type and how long the session should last. That controls route length, pacing logic, and the overall feel of the file.
3. Add workout context
Include optional heart rate and performance data when you need more than simple coordinates. This is useful when the destination platform expects a fuller activity record.
4. Download the GPX file
Export the final file and keep it ready for upload to Strava, Garmin, Komoot, or your device workflow.
GPX vs TCX vs FIT — which format should you use?
Use GPX when you mainly need route geometry and coordinates. Choose TCX when timing and workout fields matter more. FIT is common for device-native exports, especially from watches and bike computers, but it is less convenient when you want to edit or inspect the file manually.
If you are comparing formats in more detail, read the ForgePace GPX vs TCX guide. And if your workflow needs richer metrics than a route-first GPX file, the TCX generator is the better next step.
How to upload a GPX file to Strava
Step 1Open Strava on desktop and choose the manual upload flow.
Step 2Select the GPX file from your computer and let Strava parse the route and timestamps.
Step 3Review the activity details, then save the import to your account history.
This manual flow is useful when your activity did not sync automatically or when you generated the route outside the usual watch or bike computer pipeline.
If you want the complete upload walkthrough, open the dedicated Strava manual upload guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can Strava read GPX files?
Yes. Strava accepts GPX files in its manual upload flow. GPX works especially well when you want to import route geometry, GPS points, and timestamped track data without relying on a device-native export. Before uploading, make sure the file has a continuous route, sensible timestamps, and no large coordinate jumps that could make the activity look broken after import.
What's the difference between GPX and KML?
GPX is built for GPS tracks, routes, and waypoints in sports, navigation, and device workflows. KML is more associated with map visualization tools such as Google Earth. For Strava, Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, and route planning, GPX is usually the more practical format because fitness platforms expect the track structure and metadata that GPX commonly provides.
Can I create a GPX file without a GPS device?
Yes. A GPX file can be generated from a planned route or a custom activity workflow without recording it on a watch or bike computer first. That is one of the main reasons tools like ForgePace exist: they help you turn a start location, duration, and route idea into a portable GPS file that can be reviewed, saved, or uploaded manually.
Ready to generate a route file?
Build your custom GPX file with ForgePace
Start from a place, set the duration, choose the activity, and export a clean route file for your Strava workflow. If you want to begin from the main product page, head back to the ForgePace homepage.