Choose and prepare a GPX for TRIPS

TRIPS is only as useful as the route you give it.

This step is about making sure the GPX represents the trip you actually want to plan.

Pick the right route file

Choose a GPX that:

• follows the route you actually expect to travel
• includes the full route, not only one section unless that is intentional
• is complete enough to support campsite placement and itinerary planning

Clean it up before upload if needed

A GPX is worth cleaning up first when:

• it includes side trips you do not want to plan around
• it contains obvious detours, bad points, or accidental recording artifacts
• you exported several route ideas into one file and only want one of them

Good decision rule

Ask this question:

If TRIPS builds a plan from this exact line, is that the route I want evaluated?

If the answer is no, fix the GPX first.

What not to overthink

You do not need laboratory-grade route perfection for an early planning pass.

You mainly want a route that is directionally correct and free of obvious mistakes that would distort itinerary decisions.

Next step

Once the route file looks right, continue to Upload a GPX.

After upload, the next planning move is usually Split a route into days.