Planning Hiking Routes in Google Earth: A Complete Guide

Why plan hikes in Google Earth? Because 2D maps don't tell the whole story. Google Earth allows you to fly over the terrain, check slope steepness, identify water sources, and find off-trail routes that flat maps might miss.

This guide shows you how to turn your virtual scouting into a navigable GPS file.

Step 1: Scouting the Terrain

1. Enable Terrain: Ensure "Terrain" layer is on so you see 3D mountains.
2. Tilt the View: Hold Shift + Scroll (or drag) to tilt the camera. This reveals the true steepness of a slope.
3. Check Imagery Date: Look at the bottom of the screen. Is the image from winter (snow cover) or summer?
4. Use Street View: Drag the yellow pegman to see if there are photos from the trailhead or peak.

Step 2: Drawing the Path

1. Click the Add Path button (3 connected dots icon).
2. Name your path (e.g., "Summit Push").
3. Click along the ridge or trail to draw points.
4. Tip: Zoom in for better precision.
5. Click OK to save the path to "My Places".

Step 3: Checking Elevation

Before you commit, check how hard the hike is:

1. Right-click your new path in the sidebar.
2. Select Show Elevation Profile.
3. A graph appears showing distance, elevation gain/loss, and max slope.

Step 4: Exporting for GPS

To use this route in the real world, you need to get it out of Google Earth.

1. Right-click the path > Save Place As...
2. Choose Kml format (not Kmz).
3. Save to computer.
4. Go to KML to GPX Converter.
5. Convert the file.

Step 5: Loading onto Your Phone

You don't need a dedicated GPS unit. Apps like Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or CalTopo can import GPX files.

1. Email the GPX file to yourself.
2. Open the email on your phone.
3. Tap the file > Open with... > Select your hiking app.
4. The route will appear on your topo map!

Pro Tips for Off-Trail Routing

• Follow Ridges: Usually the easiest travel with the best views.
• Avoid dense vegetation: Dark green usually means bushwhacking.
• Look for "Social Trails": Zoom way in; sometimes you can see faint footpaths that aren't on any map.

Related Resources

• KML to GPX Converter
• How to Import Google Earth Routes to GPS
• Best Apps for Viewing GPX Files