Download Strava routes to Garmin

ByMoises Campos
download-strava-routes-a-garmin
Photo by Jay Miller on Unsplash

The process of download routes from Strava to Garmin is now much easier thanks to a change Garmin has made to its API. Just mark them as favourites and they will automatically sync to your device.

How to download routes from Strava to Garmin

With the modification that Garmin has made to its API, it is now possible to synchronise Strava routes with Garmin directly in one touch, without the need to download files, duplicate routes or do anything else. The steps to follow are as follows:

  • You must make sure you have linked your Strava account with Garmin. If when you finish your training with the Garmin watch, the activity is displayed on the platform, it is because the accounts are already linked.
  • Next, you need to check that the option for Trips is ticked within the Garmin Connect app. To do this go to Settings, then the Partner Apps option and then click on Strava.
  • You must make sure that the third option of Routes is activated. This will automatically sync your Strava routes to Garmin Connect and therefore to your device.
  • From this point on, all new routes you create in the app will be transferred to Garmin.
  • All that remains is to create a route on Strava. You can do this from the mobile app or from the website.
  • A very important point is that you mark it as a favourite by pressing the red star icon. This star indicates that the route should be passed to Garmin Connect. Therefore, you have to remember to mark it.
  • Now, you turn on your Garmin (either watch or computer), synchronise it and go to the Trips section under Navigation.
  • You will notice that the route you have recently generated on the platform is already there, ready to start navigating, with the altitude profile and everything. Just as if you had downloaded the .fit or .gpx file and uploaded it manually.
  • From now on, any route you mark as a favourite on Strava will be synchronised.

It is important to know that, if you already had routes created in Strava or marked as favourites previously, it is necessary to unmark them and mark them again with the star so that they are transferred to Connect. If you do not do this step, the routes will not be transferred.

All Strava routes are on Garmin Connect Routes

It is worth remembering that all the routes that are transferred to Garmin, you can also view them on the Connect app or website in the section on Trips. It is in the Training menu.

There you will be able to see the routes that come from Strava, as well as those that have already been created in Connect. You can duplicate them, delete them, see their details of distances, elevation and others, or send them to a device that is connected at that moment.

So now there's no excuse for not creating a route and following it in detail on your Garmin.

How to enable Strava Routes on Garmin devices

From the Garmin Connect website

  • You need to enable the Paths permission in your Account Information page in order to be able to use the integration.

From the Garmin Connect mobile application

  • The first thing to do is to go to the Settings option.
  • You should then go to Partner applications.
  • To finish you must choose the Strava option and then, Enable permissions for Trails.

Frequently asked questions

Some of the most frequently asked questions concerning the dStrava route download to Garmin are mentioned below:

What happens if the Connect IQ for Strava Routes application is used?

This app is no longer supported and will be removed from the Garmin Connect IQ app shop.

Do I need to update my firmware?

No, just follow the procedure explained above for Strava Routes activation.

How do I delete a route?

In order to delete a route, you need to remove it from your Garmin device. Simply unhighlighting a route on Strava is not enough.

What happens if a route is not synchronised?

The first thing to do is to check that the route has been synced with Garmin Connect by looking it up in your Trips folder, mobile app or website.

  • If you can see the route, you must sync your device with Garmin Connect using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
  • If you don't see the route, unhighlight it and highlight it again in Strava. After this, you need to sync your device with Garmin Connect.

Compatible devices

All Garmin devices that are compatible with the Trips feature found under the Navigation option in the menu will also be compatible with Strava Routes.

The most remarkable thing is that you don't need to have a latest generation Garmin, as this works for all types of Forerunner or Fenix watches and Garmin Egde cycle computers. It is even compatible with GPS devices from 5 or 10 years ago.