Creating a custom route for your next hike or run with Garmin Connect can be a real pain since Garmin doesn’t offer proper topographical maps, which are essential for this purpose. In this quick tip, you’ll learn how to easily create a custom course on your phone with a 3rd party route planner app Mapy.cz, and import it to Garmin Connect.

To Create a Custom Route on Your Phone

1. Install and open the Mapy.cz app (available both for iPhone and Android).

When planning a course from your current location

1. Select the endpoint ^1. by long-pressing your desired destination or using the search bar.
2. Tap “Directions“ ^2. to review the route.
3. Select your preferred way of transportation ^3..
4. If you want to add a stop, pull up to the bottom menu ^4., tap the plus sign ^5., and search for the location, or select a “Point from map” ^6. by dragging the map around and placing the red pin on the desired location ^7.. To confirm your selection, tap “Done” ^8..
5. To export the route to Garmin Connect, scroll down and tap on “Export“ ^9.. From the list of apps, select Garmin Connect ^10.. If not visible, go to “••• More” and find it there. Done!

When planning a course from a different than your current location

1. Click on the hamburger menu ^1. -> “Directions“ ^2..
2. Select your preferred way of transportation ^3..
3. Tap on the start field ^4.. Search for the location or select a “Point from map“ ^5. by dragging the map around and placing the red pin at your desired starting point ^6.. To confirm your selection, tap “Done“ ^7..
4. Tap on the second field ^8. and search for a location or select a “Point from map“ ^9..
5. If you want to add a stop, pull up the bottom menu ^11., tap the plus sign, and search for a location or select a “Point from map”.
6. To export the route to Garmin Connect, scroll down and tap on “Export“ ^12.. From the list of apps, select Garmin Connect ^13.. If not visible, go to “••• More” and find it there. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to import GPX to Garmin Connect, check my other article.