Open GPX File

Known bugs when importing GPX files

Many times when trying to import a GPX file to any GPS device, especially Garmin, it happens that the typical error jumps out:  "Unknown error opening import file" No problem: as almost always, the solution, in general, is on the internet.

With a brief search, the problem can be solved without major difficulties.

The solution is detailed below in case it works for you: For whatever reason, many GPS devices, and especially the BaseCamp have problems with the metadata of some GPX files and the solution, as simple as it may seem, is to remove them before importing.

However, you should have some knowledge of the XML language.

To do this you must do the following: Open the GPX file with a code editor, such as Notepad ++, or simply with Notepad. Thus we access the code of the track that we see below:

<gpx version="1.1" creator="Strava GPX downloader (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/strava-gpx-downloader/pnglhfabfkchkadgnkfacoakincdpeeg)" xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd" xmlns:gpxtpx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v1">

Search the code for the metadata block highlighted in red. To solve the problem, simply delete the entire block, so that it is as shown below:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<gpx version="1.1" creator="Strava GPX downloader (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/strava-gpx-downloader/pnglhfabfkchkadgnkfacoakincdpeeg)" xmlns="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1 http://www.topografix.com/GPX/1/1/gpx.xsd" xmlns:gpxtpx="http://www.garmin.com/xmlschemas/TrackPointExtension/v1">
 <metadata>

</metadata>

Now simply have to save the GPX file to be able to open it without problems with the Garmin BaseCamp. Download it to the GPS.

Repair it by Software

However, it must be noted that the previous solution is not a panacea. We suggest you download and install the GPSBabel.

It is a free program to convert among the multitude of existing formats in the world of geolocation. You have it available on their website.

GPSBabel

Once installed, open the program and in the 'Input' section select the 'GPX XML' format and indicate the name of the problematic file. In the ‘Output’ section you also select the ‘GPX XML’ format and the name and address of the track that, now for sure, you will be able to open with BaseCamp and any other device.

You click on "Accept" and in an instant you will have the track created.