Question 1

Routes, tracks, waypoints and landmarks — what does each mean?

Accepted Answer

The eight words TrailRunner Mini uses for routes, waypoints, segments, landmarks and tracks, and how they map to a GPX file.

Question 2

What is the difference between ascent, descent and elevation?

Accepted Answer

Elevation is the range between highest and lowest point; ascent and descent are the summed gains and losses along the way.

Question 3

Why does the elevation look wrong?

Accepted Answer

Terrain elevation comes from an SRTM survey that recorded the topmost surface, so trees and buildings can sit in the profile.

Question 4

What do the colours on my route mean?

Accepted Answer

Green to red shows either how rough the going is or how steep the climb is; pick which one in the Quality section of the route inspector.

Question 5

How do I set the pace for a route?

Accepted Answer

Pick an activity type for a typical speed, or enter your own — duration, arrival time and calories follow from it.

Question 6

How do the routing properties work?

Accepted Answer

Prefer trails, avoid unpaved, steps or steep climbs, favour twisty roads, or plan a smart round trip — and park any of them without losing the setting.

Question 7

Can I show speed instead of pace?

Accepted Answer

Runners think in pace, cyclists in speed. Both are a setting, along with metric and US-imperial distance units.

Question 8

Why is the map slow to load, or blurred?

Accepted Answer

Map tiles come from free community services. They are cached after first view, so the same area is fast next time.

Question 9

Which maps can I use, and how do overlays work?

Accepted Answer

Pick a base map — Apple, OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap, Esri and more — then layer contours, hiking, cycling and MTB routes on top. The base never changes on its own.

Question 10

Why do trails and waymarks need a download first?

Accepted Answer

The map picture and the OpenStreetMap data behind it are separate downloads. Routing and waymark shields need the data — preload a region before you go.

Question 11

A trail is missing from the map — can I add it?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Map › Edit in OpenStreetMap opens the editor at the spot you are looking at; your correction reaches routing for everyone, and Refresh Region pulls it back in.

Question 12

How do I import a GPX file?

Accepted Answer

TrailRunner Mini reads GPX, KML/KMZ, TCX and FIT. Imports become routes and land in the Imported section.

Question 13

How do I export a route to my watch or another app?

Accepted Answer

Export writes a GPX file; Share hands it to the share sheet. Garmin, Coros, Suunto and Wahoo all read GPX courses.

Question 14

How are my routes backed up?

Accepted Answer

Routes, collections and landmarks sync automatically via iCloud to every device on your Apple Account. Export GPX for an archive you keep.

Question 15

Why will the route not follow a path I can see?

Accepted Answer

Three usual causes: the area is not downloaded, the path is not mapped in OpenStreetMap, or a routing property is excluding it.

Question 16

Can I add my own map source?

Accepted Answer

Not directly — the sources are a curated list. Show More reveals more of them, and good regional sources can be suggested.

Question 17

Keyboard shortcuts (Mac)

Accepted Answer

The Mac keyboard shortcuts for routes, searching, the map and help.

Question 18

How do I get in touch?

Accepted Answer

Use the contact form, or the Contact action in the app. Include your device, the version, and the route if it is route-specific.

Frequently asked questions

Getting started

Maps

Planning routes

Import, export and backup

Support