GPX, TCX, FIT or ITN: which route file do you need?
Every route on Motarva downloads in four formats. They all describe the same ride, but sat-navs and apps each have their preference. This page explains the difference in plain language, so you pick the right file the first time.
GPX: the universal choice
GPX is the exchange format almost everything understands: sat-navs, phone apps and route planners. It stores the full track with every curve, plus waypoints. When in doubt, pick GPX. Every guide on this site starts from it.
TCX: the Garmin course format
TCX comes from Garmin's training world and describes a course. Some Garmin devices and apps prefer it over GPX for turn guidance. Pick TCX only when the manual of your device recommends it; otherwise GPX does the same job.
FIT: compact and modern Garmin
FIT is Garmin's binary format: the same course in a much smaller file. Newer Garmin devices, including the zumo line, handle FIT courses well. Like TCX it is a Garmin-world pick: use it when your device documentation asks for it.
ITN: the TomTom itinerary
ITN is TomTom's own format. It stores a series of route points rather than the full track: the device calculates the roads between them itself. That makes the route easy to adjust on the device, but the calculated track can deviate from the original when maps or settings differ. Prefer the exact original roads? Import the GPX as a track instead.
Track or route: the real difference
Behind the formats sits one distinction. A track is the recorded line of the ride: your device follows it exactly. A route is a set of points: the device plans its own roads between them. For a curated motorcycle route you usually want the track, because the chosen roads are the whole point.
Frequently asked questions
Which format should I download for my device?
GPX works almost everywhere. Pick TCX or FIT when your Garmin documentation recommends it, and ITN for TomTom devices that plan between points.
Why does the same route ride differently per format?
Track formats follow the original line exactly. Point-based formats let the device calculate its own roads, which can deviate when map data or settings differ.
Can I convert one format into another?
You rarely need to: Motarva serves all four per route. Download the format your device wants instead of converting.
Are all four formats free to download?
Yes. Public routes download free of charge in every offered format, no account needed.
Take your routes with you
The Motarva app for iPhone puts the whole route catalog in your pocket: browse routes, save your favorites and ride them from your phone. Free to download.
