| What it is | Saved coordinates of a location |
| Used for | Marking junctions, camps, water |
| Strung into | Routes |
| Vs track | Track = recorded path traveled |
A waypoint is a set of coordinates marking a specific location — a trailhead, junction, campsite, water source, or summit — saved for navigation. On a GPS or mapping app, you string waypoints together into routes and navigate from one to the next, while a recorded path of where you’ve been is called a track.
Pinning a location
A waypoint is stored as a grid reference or UTM coordinates, navigated to with a GPS.
Frequently asked questions
What is a waypoint?
A waypoint is a stored geographic location, defined by coordinates, that marks a meaningful point such as a trail junction, water source, campsite, or summit. You save waypoints on a GPS device or app so you can navigate to them and find key spots reliably.
What's the difference between a waypoint, a route, and a track?
A waypoint is a single saved point; a route is an intended path made of waypoints to navigate between in order; and a track is the actual breadcrumb trail your device records of where you've already been. Routes are plans; tracks are history.
How do you use waypoints when navigating?
Before a trip, mark waypoints for key features (trailhead, junctions, water, camp, summit) on your map app, then in the field navigate from one waypoint to the next, checking your position against them. Marking your car or camp as a waypoint also makes it easy to find your way back.
Sources
- GPS navigation — The Mountaineers
- Using GPS — American Hiking Society