How to Print a GPS Route Map (Strava, Komoot & GPX)

You ran a marathon, cycled a mountain pass, or hiked a trail you'll never forget. That effort is sitting in your phone as a GPS track — and it makes beautiful wall art. Here's how to upload a recorded route and turn it into a high-resolution, print-ready map poster, for free.

Every fitness and navigation app can export your activity as a GPX, KML or GeoJSON file — a small file that records the exact path you traveled. PrintMap reads all three, draws the track onto a real map, and lets you download it as a poster. No design skills, no account.

What the GPX upload is for

Uploading a recorded route is the right tool whenever the exact path you actually traveled matters. It's ideal for:

• Runners — a first marathon, a personal-best 10K, or a favorite loop.
• Cyclists — a gran fondo, a bikepacking trip, or a long climb.
• Hikers — a summit day, a multi-day trek, or a coastal trail.
• Travelers — a road trip or sailing route, perfect for a travel blog or a guidebook.

If instead you want to plan a new route from scratch — a road trip itinerary or a city walk — the built-in route planner is the better tool. This guide is about printing a track you've already recorded.

Step 1 — Export your route as GPX, KML or GeoJSON

First get the file out of your app. The option is usually called "Export GPX" or "Export original":

• Strava — open the activity on the website → the three-dots menu → Export GPX.
• Komoot — open the tour → the three-dots menu → Export GPX.
• Garmin Connect — open the activity → the gear icon → Export to GPX.
• Google Maps / My Maps — export as KML or KMZ.

Save the file somewhere you can find it. Any file ending in .gpx, .kml or .geojson will work.

Step 2 — Upload it to PrintMap

Open the PrintMap editor — it opens straight into Studio mode with the route panels ready. In the Routes & Shapes panel, click 📂 Upload GPX / GeoJSON (or drag the file straight onto it). Your track draws onto the map instantly, and the map re-centers so the whole route fits in view.

Step 3 — Style the map and your track

Now make it look the way you want. Choose one of the 22 map styles — a clean minimalist look keeps the focus on the line, while a terrain or topo style suits mountains and trails. Then:

• Recolor the route line so it stands out against the map.
• Add a title, subtitle and coordinates — the event name, date, distance or finish time.
• Drop markers on the start, finish or a summit.
• Adjust the framing and zoom so there's a comfortable margin around the track.

Step 4 — Download and print

When it looks right, export a high-resolution PNG. Pick a standard poster size — A4, A3, A2 or A1 — or set a custom size in centimetres. The download is free, with no watermark and no account.

Send the PNG to a local print shop or an online print-on-demand service. Matte or satin poster paper frames beautifully, and the A-series sizes fit standard frames exactly.

Frequently asked questions

Which files can I upload?

GPX, KML and GeoJSON. These are the standard formats exported by Strava, Komoot, Garmin, Wikiloc, Google Maps and virtually every other fitness or navigation app.

Can I print a Strava or Komoot route?

Yes. Export the activity as a GPX file from Strava or Komoot, then upload that file to PrintMap. You can even pick a map style similar to the app you recorded it in.

Will it show elevation?

If your file contains elevation data, PrintMap draws an elevation profile with total ascent, descent and min/max altitude. Most GPX files from GPS watches and phones include this.

Is it free?

Yes — uploading a route and downloading a high-resolution map is completely free, with no account and no watermark.