GPX tracks and roadbooks: why they work better together
When planning a 4x4 trip, one question comes up time and again:
Should you set off with a GPX track alone, or invest in a complete roadbook?
At first, the answer may seem obvious. A GPX track lets you follow a route on a GPS device or smartphone. It shows you where to go and makes navigation much easier.
Yet a GPX track and a roadbook serve different purposes. They complement each other.
And it is precisely that combination that turns a simple outing into a richer journey.
The GPX track: a valuable navigation tool
A GPX track helps you:
- follow a route accurately;
- keep track of your position;
- avoid missing a turning;
- navigate without a mobile signal, with the necessary maps downloaded beforehand;
- save time out on the route.
Whether you use a Garmin Tread, a dedicated GPS device, Organic Maps, Gaia GPS or another navigation app, GPX files have become an essential part of many travellers' toolkits.
Where several tracks meet or there are no signposts, a GPX track can be invaluable. It also gives your co-driver more time to enjoy the scenery instead of constantly searching the roadbook for the right navigation diagram.
But it has an important limitation.
A GPX track is simply a line on a map.
It shows you where to go.
It does not explain why.
What a GPX track cannot tell you
Imagine following a track in the heart of Sardinia.
Your GPS displays a line.
You drive on.
Then you reach a junction.
The track points you in the right direction.
So far, so good.
But do you know:
- why this particular section was chosen?
- what there is to discover a few kilometres further on?
- where to find a beautiful viewpoint?
- where to spend the night?
- where to refuel?
- which villages are worth stopping in?
- where you need to take particular care to avoid disturbing others or the surroundings?
The track alone will usually leave these questions unanswered.
The track guides you.
The roadbook informs you.
And that makes a considerable difference.
The roadbook: knowledge gained on the ground
For GreenTracers, a roadbook is much more than a sequence of kilometres.
It is the result of many days spent exploring, checking and gathering information on the ground.
When we create a roadbook, our aim goes beyond connecting point A to point B.
We want to shape a rewarding travel experience.
We select:
- beautiful landscapes;
- interesting villages;
- outstanding viewpoints;
- bivouac locations, subject to the rules in force locally;
- accommodation with character;
- local places of interest;
- enjoyable sections of track.
You miss out on this information when you rely on a GPX track alone.
A journey, or just a line to follow?
That is probably the clearest way to describe the difference.
A GPX track helps you drive the route.
A roadbook helps you experience the journey.
Following a track downloaded from the internet can take you somewhere.
A roadbook explains why the route is worth exploring.
This is especially true in destinations such as Sardinia, Portugal and Iceland, and on our short-break routes in Belgium and France.
In these places, the most memorable discoveries are not always right beside the track.
They may be in a small village, at a little-known viewpoint, beside a secluded cove or in a landscape you might otherwise have driven straight through.
Print or digital: which format suits you?
It is a common question.
The two formats suit different ways of travelling. Availability depends on the language edition: check the product page for the formats and current prices offered in your chosen language.
The printed roadbook
Where a printed edition is available, the booklet offers several advantages:
- easy reading in the vehicle;
- no battery needed;
- quick reference;
- comfortable reading on paper;
- space to add your own notes.
Many travellers also enjoy having a physical roadbook that becomes a keepsake from the trip.
The digital roadbook
The digital format is particularly appreciated for:
- a PDF to consult on your own device;
- immediate digital access;
- easy carrying without extra luggage;
- convenient use alongside the GPX tracks.
It is often the preferred choice for travellers who plan everything on a computer or tablet.
Why every GreenTracers roadbook includes GPX tracks
At GreenTracers, we see no need to choose between a roadbook and a GPX track.
We believe they work together.
That is why our digital editions combine PDF + GPX, while printed editions, where offered, combine a booklet + GPX.
You benefit from:
- straightforward GPS navigation;
- the depth of a complete roadbook;
- a route researched on the ground;
- practical and visitor information;
- a more relaxed preparation process.
You get the best of both tools.
What to remember
There is little reason to choose between GPX and a roadbook: the roadbook helps you understand the journey, while the GPX track helps you follow the route.
Together, they can make the difference between a simple outing and an adventure you remember long after returning home.
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