Software

Some good software

Keep away from anything which will not handle .gpx files (public domain track files)

Tracklogs mapping (No longer in business). Also Anquet and MemoryMap. They sell digital maps on which you can display and edit your tracks or create new ones while at home.

Since I wrote these pages a large number of smartphone apps have appeared for both Android and Apple o/s. Some also have complex extras such as estimates of how any calories you will burn while walking your route! I will leave others to document this fast-moving topic. Sufficent to say that I now record my own pre-walks on a smartphone app and then download them to my desktop computer. I still use a Garmin GPS, loaded with the .gpx files from the smartphone, to navigate walks that I lead.

GPS TrackMaker - freeware for handling tracks and waypoints. Lots of extras. Can convert files from old Garmin models to GPX format.

Gartrip - €30 for handling tracks and waypoints. Without the razzmatazz of Trackmaker. Only the useful stuff, but does it superbly well and has helpful error-trapping routines. Free crippled version downloadable. Can convert files from old Garmin models to GPX format.

GPSvisualizer for plotting your .gpx track on a satellite map. You can then zoom in to see the footpaths you have walked upon!

GPSvisualizer for processing a GPX file to either insert missing altitude values or to replace the existing ones with more accurate data.

RouteConverter a totally brilliant piece of freeware for seeing your .gpx track on a satellite image and being able to tweak it or re-route it after you get back home! Download it to your computer.

EveryTrail is very similar. Runs on Internet. Option to store/share files. You must upload your files but you can then make them private if you wish.