Skip to main content Skip to page footer
hike-and-bike-maps

Installation of the maps

When installing the maps, depending on the application, resp. the end device can be distinguished.
There are three different files for three different applications.

These are

  • Garmin navigation device
  • Application on a computer with Windows operating systems
  • Application on a computer with Apple macOS operating systems

General

The maps are provided as zip files. This means that the individual file is compressed in order to save storage space and transmission time and you must 'unpack' the file after downloading it. If you are not familiar with this, use an Internet search engine to search for the topic: 'unzip zip file'.

Instructions for Garmin navigation devices

Quick start Guide:

  • Download gmapsupp.img file
  • Unzip the file and save it on a 'microSD' card
  • Insert the 'microSD' card into the Garmin navigation device
  • Start the Garmin navigation device and use the map

Detailed instructions:

The file of the maps for the Garmin navigation devices is named as follows: 'gmapsupp.img'

.img is the filename extension for image files from CDs / DVDs.
Garmin uses this filename extension for the files for Garmin navigation devices and this it is not right!
Your virus scanner may give you a virus warning because the structure and content of the gmapsupp.img file does not correspond to the structure of 'real' .img files.

After unpacking (unzipping) the file, save the gmapsupp.img file to the 'microSD' card of your choice. We use 'microSD' cards with a storage capacity of 32GB.
The 'microSD' card must be 'FAT-32' formatted. Usually the 'microSD' card is already formatted this way when you buy it.
Insert the 'microSD' card into the adapter provided and the adapter into the corresponding slot on your computer.

Save the gmapsupp.img file in the Garmin directory.
If this directory does not yet exist on the memory card, create this directory first.
Tip: If you first insert the empty or newly purchased memory card into the Garmin navigation device and start the device, the Garmin navigation device will automatically create the many necessary directories.

Important!
Do NOT save the gmapsupp.img file in the internal memory of the Garmin navigation device. The Garmin navigation device could damage itself and become unusable.

With newer Garmin navigation devices you can install several maps at the same time. However, there can only be one single file called gmapsupp.img. This means that you can easily change the name of the file on the memory card yourself.
On our own Garmin navigation devices we name the files e.g. as follows: 'gmapche.img' for the map of Switzerland or e.g. 'gmapdeu.img' for the map of Germany.

Now start your Garmin navigation device and activate the map in the corresponding menu of your navigation device.

Instructions for Windows operating system

Quick start Guide:

  • Install BaseCamp
  • Download map
  • Install GMAP installation archive (.exe).
  • Start BaseCamp and use the map

Detailed instructions:

In order to be able to display and use the maps on a computer, the Garmin software 'BaseCamp' or 'MapSource' is required. If you have not yet installed this software, use an Internet search engine to search for the topic: 'Install basecamp', download the software from the Garmin website and install the software.

For example, the file with the map for Switzerland is named as follows: 'GMAP_Installer-HikeAndBike-CHE.exe'.
Download the appropriate file and launch the installer. The map will be installed in the directory 'C:\ProgramData\Garmin\Maps'.

Now start BaseCamp and display the new map.

We have optimized the hike-and-bike maps so that you get the best results with the 'Map level of detail' (level of detail) 'medium'. For a search in a larger area with few map details, you can set the detail level higher so that you can see the details earlier.

It is also worth mentioning that you cannot display the same map twice. BaseCamp recognizes the map based on the FID (Family ID) and only shows you one map. So if you still have maps from other providers with the same FID by chance, then these two maps cannot be used at the same time.

Do you still have any unanswered questions?
Go to the step by step instructions for Windows operating system.

Alternative installation:

For the alternative installation, do not use the 'GMAP_Installer-HikeAndBike-CHE.exe' file. Instead, download the corresponding GMAP archive for Apple macOS (e.g. HikeAndBike-CHE.gmap.zip). This GMAP archive is suitable for both operating systems. Unzip this file. We recommend that you specify the final storage location when unpacking.

Save the unpacked GMAP archive on your computer in the directory: 'C:\ProgramData\Garmin\Maps\'.

This directory 'C:\ProgramData\Garmin\Maps\' is normally 'hidden'. If you do not 'see' this directory, then you can display the hidden directories in your 'File Explorer' in the 'View' menu with 'Hidden elements'. Saving in this directory also works if you can't see the directory optically, then it is still there.

Now start BaseCamp and display the new map.

We have optimized the hike-and-bike maps so that you get the best results with the 'Map level of detail' (level of detail) 'medium'. For a search in a larger area with few map details, you can set the detail level higher so that you can see the details earlier.

It is also worth mentioning that you cannot display the same map twice. BaseCamp recognizes the map based on the FID (Family ID) and only shows you one map. So if you still have maps from other providers with the same FID by chance, then these two maps cannot be used at the same time.

Do you still have any unanswered questions?
Go to the step by step instructions for alternative installation for Windows operating system.

Instructions for Apple macOS operating system (formerly also 'Mac OS X' or 'OS X')

Quick start Guide:

  • Install BaseCamp
  • Download map
  • Unzip the GMAP installation archive
  • Install the map with MapManager
  • Start BaseCamp and use the map

Detailed instructions:

In order to be able to display and use the maps on a computer, the Garmin software 'BaseCamp' or 'MapSource' is required. If you have not yet installed this software, use an Internet search engine to search for the topic: 'Install basecamp', download the software from the Garmin website and install the software.

For example, the file with the map for Switzerland is named as follows: 'HikeAndBike-CHE.gmap.zip'.
Download the corresponding GMAP archive and unzip it.

Now install the map using the Garmin MapManager software.
If the MapManager software is available, all you need to do is double-click on the map file.

Now start BaseCamp and display the new map.

We have optimized the hike-and-bike maps so that you get the best results with the 'Map level of detail' (level of detail) 'medium'. For a search in a larger area with few map details, you can set the detail level higher so that you can see the details earlier.

It is also worth mentioning that you cannot display the same map twice. BaseCamp recognizes the map based on the FID (Family ID) and only shows you one map. So if you still have maps from other providers with the same FID by chance, then these two maps cannot be used at the same time.

Do you still have any unanswered questions?
Go to the step by step instructions for Apple macOS operating system.

Usage

Map on the computer

We offer the hike-and-bike maps for planning on a computer with the software 'BaseCamp' and possibly with 'MapSource'.
You can install the different maps on your computer at the same time and switch from map to map in 'BaseCamp'.

To do this, select the appropriate file for Windows or Apple macOS operating system when downloading.

Map on the Garmin navigation device

We provide detailed base maps for the Garmin navigation devices.

To be able to use a map on a Garmin navigation device, download the appropriate file and save the files on the 'microSD' card.

Alternatively, you could of course also send a map with routes from 'BaseCamp' to the Garmin navigation device. But this doesn't really make sense, because you have a better option and this does not work with every 'BaseCamp' version. Some 'BaseCamp' versions have an error in this regard and do not send the data completely.

Software BaseCamp

In order to be able to display and use the maps on a computer, the Garmin software 'BaseCamp' or 'MapSource' is required. If you have not yet installed this software, use an Internet search engine to search for the topic: 'Install basecamp', download the software from the Garmin website and install the software. (The last 'MapSource' version was published on October 25th, 2010. 'MapSource' is only available for 'Windows' operating systems. 'BaseCamp' is the successor software of 'MapSource').

Recommendations

Below are a few personal recommendations. These are young entrepreneurs that I enjoy working with or simply websites or offers that impress me.

Webagentur Schmid: The inexpensive web agency for secure and fast websites.

Ela's Rezepte: Enjoyment with passion. Enjoyable food definitely makes life more beautiful! A website with many delicious recipes.

mediation-aufwind: Competent guidance and support in finding solutions to conflicts.

EnableMe: EnableMe empowers people with disabilities.

Progressum: Progressum supports organizations, teams and individuals who want to develop healthily and successfully.

Deine Hobby Werkstatt GmbH: Your hobby workshop – this is where your craft dream finally comes true! The open coworking space workshop for SMEs and private individuals.

Catsitting Kriens: Cat sitter with heart and passion in the Kriens area.