Creating and Using Courses and Routes in the Garmin Explore App

The Garmin Explore™ app is made for off-the-grid adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. In the app, courses can be created to route you on a specific path and are ideal for hiking, mountain biking, ATV/off road driving, and other similar activities.

Courses can be synced from the Garmin Explore app to the Garmin Explore website or a compatible Garmin device.

Courses can also be created offline, while in the field, and synced to a compatible device. This allows for trip planning without an internet connection.

NOTE: The latest updates to the Garmin Explore app have replaced the Add Route function with Create Course. If your Garmin device does not have an option for courses, the course may be converted to a track when synced to the Garmin device. If you need to create a route you can still do so by creating a course, then copying the course as a route.

Creating a Course

1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

2. Select .

3. Select + in the top left of the app.

4. Select Create Course.

5. Use the following options to create the course:

   TIP: You can also select in the app to view instructions and a tutorial.

   • Placing a Course Point: Tap the map to create a starting point.

   • Creating a Course: Tap a second location on the map to create a course line and continue adding points to the course as needed.

     • Courses are limited to 200 points.

   • Deleting a Point: Tap on a point, then select to remove it from the course.

   • Moving a Point: Hold and drag a point, then release.

   • Moving a Course: Hold and drag a course line, then release. A new point will be created where you release.

   • Snap to Path: This tool will attempt to snap any point you entered to lines and points on the map. If there is nothing nearby, the tool will draw a straight line to the point you tapped. Tap to toggle the tool off if you need to draw straight lines between points.

     • Snap to Path will only work when TopoActive mapping is selected and is not intended for use with automobile or motorcycle driving. TopoActive mapping is based on OSM (OpenStreetMaps) that have not been verified as safe for automotive driving.

6. Select Save.

7. Edit the details of the course by selecting items like the name, to change color of the course, or Collections to add the course to a collection.

The course can now be synced to a compatible Garmin device.

Navigating With a Course, Route, or Track

NOTE: Navigation requires a connected Garmin device.

Courses, routes, and tracks can be selected in the Garmin Explore and used to navigate. If there is an activity you wish to navigate, it will need to be copied into another format first (see below).

1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

2. Select or and locate the course, route, or track you wish to navigate with.

3. Select the course, route, or track.

   • If selecting the item from the map, select the name of the item after tapping on the map.

4. Select Go.

   • If you have more than one connected Garmin device, follow the prompts to select the device(s) you wish to navigate with.

The selected course, route, or track will be shared with the connected Garmin device(s) and navigation will begin in both the app and on the connected device(s) once GPS has been acquired.

If you are using a Garmin watch, you may also be prompted to select an activity profile from the watch.

If you are using an inReach device, you may also be prompted with the option to enable location sharing (i.e. Tracking).

Navigation will end automatically once you have reached your destination, or you can end navigation by swiping up from the bottom of the app and selecting Stop.

Copy as Route, Copy as Track, and Copy as Course

In some cases it may be helpful to convert a course, route, activity, or track into another format.

1. Open the Garmin Explore app.

2. Select or and locate the desired route, course, activity, or track.

3. Select the route, course, activity, or track. 

   • If selecting the item from the map, select the name of the desired item after tapping on the map.

4. Select or in the top right.

5. Select Copy as Track, Copy as Route, or Copy as Course.

6. Select Copy when prompted.

A copy of the course, route, activity, or track will be saved to your library in the chosen format.

NOTE: Routes will show as direct, point-to-point navigation in the Garmin Explore app. Once synced over to a compatible Garmin device, the route will calculate based on the capabilities and routing settings of the device.