MAPS.ME is an open source, off-line mapping app. That means, you can download the maps over WiFi before you leave home and look at them any time you want without using any mobile data.
Go to the app store on your phone and search for MAPS.ME. It's available for Android and iPhone.
Once you have it installed you'll need to download off-line maps.
- If you're walking the whole Camino Francés you'll need to download the maps for France: Aquitaine - Pyrénées-Atlantiques. And in Spain: Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León - East and West and Galicia - North.
- If you're walking the whole Vía de la Plata you'll need to download the maps for Spain: Andalusia - Seville, Extremadura, Castilla y León - West and Galicia North and South.
Once you have the maps downloaded follow the instructions below for your make of phone.
Download the .zip file from the website. (Via-kml-in-stages.zip or Camino-Frances-All.kml.zip)
On your phone's home screen (this step will be different depending on your brand of phone) go to Downloads.
In Downloads you should be able to find the .zip file you downloaded.
Tap on the .zip file. Select to "Open with Downloads" (depending on your phone it may open without displaying this option). The contents of the file should be revealed.
If the above doesn't work try using the app FX File Explorer (it's free from the Android Play Store), it works a bit like Windows Explorer. Open your Downloads folder and create a Folder to hold the unzipped .kml files, then tap on the .zip file, this should open it, then long-tap on a file to select it then top-right menu, Select All and Copy then navigate back to the folder you just created and tap on Paste in the top-right. This should create copies of the unzipped .kml files in this folder.
Now, tap on the .kml file you want to open. Select to "Open in MAPS.ME" ALWAYS (depending on your phone it may open without displaying this option).
MAPS.ME should open and the Camino track should be displayed. NOTE: you may need to zoom to the correct location manually. MAPS.ME will probably open zoomed in to your current location.
Download the .zip file from the website. (Via-kml-in-stages.zip or Camino-Frances-All.kml.zip)
Save the .zip file in a folder where you'll be able to find it later.
Opened and extract the .zip file using the WinZip free app. After you have done this you should be able to see all the .kml files in the folder together with the .zip file.
Now follow the instructions on this website to open the .kml files in MAPS.ME.
When you openn MAPS.ME the Camino track should be displayed. NOTE: you may need to zoom to the correct location manually. MAPS.ME will probably open zoomed in to your current location.
Copyright © Gerald Kelly 2024. All text and photos.