Track Management
Learn how to upload, organize, and manage GPS tracks in GPS Tools.
Accessing Track Management
Navigate to track management via:
- Components → GPS Tools → Tracks
Uploading Tracks
Supported File Formats
| Format | Extension | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| GPX | .gpx | Most GPS devices and apps |
| KML | .kml | Google Earth exports |
| TCX | .tcx | Garmin devices, fitness apps |
Upload Process
- Go to Components → GPS Tools → Tracks
- Click New in the toolbar
- Fill in the track details:
Basic Information:
- Title - Descriptive name for the track
- Alias - URL slug (auto-generated from title)
- Category - Select a category
- Status - Published, Unpublished, Archived, or Trashed
Track File:
- Click Upload GPX/KML/TCX
- Select your file
- File is automatically parsed
- Click Save or Save & Close
What Happens During Upload
When you upload a track file, GPS Tools automatically:
- Parses coordinates - Extracts all GPS points
- Calculates statistics - Distance, elevation, duration
- Identifies bounds - Geographic boundaries
- Extracts waypoints - Points of interest from the file
- Generates thumbnail - Map preview image (if enabled)
Track Details
Basic Tab
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Track name displayed to users | Yes |
| Alias | URL-friendly slug | Auto-generated |
| Category | Organizational category | Yes |
| Description | Detailed description (HTML supported) | No |
| Status | Publishing state | Yes |
Track Info Tab
| Field | Options | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Type | Hiking, Running, Cycling, etc. | Type of activity |
| Difficulty | Easy, Moderate, Difficult, Expert | Skill level required |
| Featured | Yes/No | Show in featured listings |
| Access | Public, Registered, etc. | Who can view |
Activity Types
| Type | Icon | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking | 🥾 | Walking trails and hikes |
| Running | 🏃 | Running and jogging routes |
| Trail Running | 🏃♂️ | Off-road running |
| Cycling | 🚴 | Road cycling |
| Mountain Biking | 🚵 | Off-road cycling |
| Skiing | ⛷️ | Ski runs and tours |
| Swimming | 🏊 | Open water routes |
| Kayaking | 🛶 | Paddle routes |
| Driving | 🚗 | Road trips |
| Other | 📍 | Any other activity |
Difficulty Levels
| Level | Description | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Flat terrain, well-marked paths | Beginners, families |
| Moderate | Some elevation, minor obstacles | Casual enthusiasts |
| Difficult | Significant elevation, challenging terrain | Experienced users |
| Expert | Extreme conditions, technical skills required | Professionals |
Automatic Statistics
GPS Tools calculates these statistics automatically:
Distance & Time
| Statistic | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Distance | Full track length (with elevation correction) |
| Duration | Total time from start to end |
| Moving Time | Time actually moving |
| Stopped Time | Time at rest |
Elevation
| Statistic | Description |
|---|---|
| Elevation Gain | Total meters climbed |
| Elevation Loss | Total meters descended |
| Max Elevation | Highest point |
| Min Elevation | Lowest point |
Speed
| Statistic | Description |
|---|---|
| Average Speed | Overall average |
| Moving Average | Average while moving |
| Max Speed | Peak speed recorded |
Fitness (if available)
| Statistic | Description |
|---|---|
| Average Heart Rate | Mean heart rate |
| Max Heart Rate | Peak heart rate |
| Calories | Estimated energy burned |
Managing Waypoints
Waypoints are points of interest along your track.
Viewing Waypoints
- Open a track for editing
- Go to the Waypoints tab
- View all waypoints extracted from the file
Waypoint Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Waypoint name |
| Description | Detailed information |
| Type | Category (summit, rest area, viewpoint, etc.) |
| Coordinates | Latitude and longitude |
| Elevation | Height above sea level |
| Icon | Display icon on map |
Waypoint Types
| Type | Icon | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Summit | ⛰️ | Mountain peaks |
| Viewpoint | 👁️ | Scenic overlooks |
| Rest Area | 🪑 | Benches, shelters |
| Parking | 🅿️ | Trailhead parking |
| Water | 💧 | Water sources |
| Campsite | ⛺ | Camping locations |
| Warning | ⚠️ | Hazards |
| Info | ℹ️ | Information points |
Adding Manual Waypoints
- Edit the track
- Go to Waypoints tab
- Click Add Waypoint
- Enter coordinates and details
- Save
Track List Management
Filtering Tracks
Use the filter bar to narrow down tracks:
| Filter | Options |
|---|---|
| Search | Text search in title/description |
| Category | Filter by category |
| Activity Type | Filter by activity |
| Difficulty | Filter by difficulty level |
| Status | Published, Unpublished, etc. |
| Featured | Featured only |
Sorting Tracks
Click column headers to sort:
| Column | Sort Order |
|---|---|
| Title | Alphabetical |
| Category | By category name |
| Hits | By view count |
| Created | By creation date |
| Status | By publishing state |
Batch Operations
Select multiple tracks and use batch actions:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Publish | Set selected to published |
| Unpublish | Set selected to unpublished |
| Archive | Move to archive |
| Trash | Move to trash |
| Category | Change category |
| Access | Change access level |
Categories
Managing Categories
- Go to Components → GPS Tools → Categories
- Create, edit, or organize categories
Category Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Nested Categories | Create subcategories |
| Category Image | Optional header image |
| Description | Category description |
| Default Icon | Default waypoint icon for tracks |
| Access Level | Control visibility |
Category Structure Example
Hiking Trails/
├── Mountain Trails/
│ ├── Easy Hikes
│ └── Challenging Peaks
├── Forest Walks/
└── Coastal Paths/
Cycling Routes/
├── Road Cycling/
├── Mountain Biking/
└── City Tours/
Comments & Ratings
Managing Comments
- Go to Components → GPS Tools → Comments
- View and moderate all comments
Comment Moderation
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Approve | Make comment visible |
| Unpublish | Hide comment |
| Delete | Remove permanently |
| Reply | Add admin response |
Rating System
- Users can rate tracks 1-5 stars
- Average rating displays on track
- Rating count shows engagement
- Ratings visible in track list
Publishing Workflow
Track States
| State | Description | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| Published | Live on site | Visible to allowed users |
| Unpublished | Draft state | Hidden from site |
| Archived | Historical | Searchable but not listed |
| Trashed | Deleted | Not visible, can restore |
Scheduled Publishing
Set publish dates to control when tracks appear:
- Edit the track
- Set Publish Start date
- Set Publish End date (optional)
- Save
Track will automatically publish/unpublish on schedule.
Importing Multiple Tracks
Batch Import Tips
For importing many tracks:
- Organize files - Name files descriptively
- Upload one at a time - Prevents timeout issues
- Set category first - Use batch operations after
- Review statistics - Verify data extracted correctly
Large File Handling
For very large track files (10MB+):
- Check PHP upload limits in your hosting
- Consider splitting long tracks
- Enable track simplification for display
- Monitor server memory
Exporting Tracks
Download Original File
If "Store Original File" is enabled:
- Edit the track
- Click Download Original
- Original GPX/KML/TCX is downloaded
Export Track Data
Track statistics can be exported via:
- API - JSON format
- Print - Print-friendly view
Best Practices
Track Titles
- Use descriptive, searchable names
- Include location or route name
- Keep concise but informative
Good Examples:
- "Mount Baker Summit Trail"
- "Central Park Running Loop"
- "Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip"
Descriptions
- Include route highlights
- Mention difficulty and conditions
- Add practical information (parking, permits)
- Use formatting for readability
Categories
- Keep hierarchy shallow (2-3 levels)
- Use consistent naming
- Consider user search patterns
- Balance specificity and usability
SEO
- Write unique descriptions
- Use relevant keywords naturally
- Configure meta descriptions
- Enable structured data
Related Documentation
- Configuration - Settings reference
- Maps & Charts - Display options
- Modules - Display tracks in modules
- Content Plugin - Embed in articles