Trailforks Now Available on Garmin Edge Devices

Apr 19, 2018
by Radek Burkat  
Trailforks now available on the Garmin Edge devices 520 820 100 1030 including the new 520
Access your saved routes, nearby routes, and the best routes around the world

Trailforks is now available on Garmin Edge bar mounted devices (Edge 520, 520+, 820, 1000, 1030). Install the Trailforks CIQ app on your Garmin device and integrate seamlessly with the Trailforks website and the Trailforks mobile app.

We wanted to improve the experience of Trailforks for mountain bikers and integrating with a Garmin device we aim to solve the following:

1. Improve the navigation experience by minimizing the need to pull out your phone and check Trailforks mobile app at every intersection.
2. Load any trail, route, race, or course from the Trailforks Mobile app to the Garmin device with a single click.
3. Access your wishlist of rides directly from the Garmin device.
4. Launch the best nearby rides on the Garmin device using our custom recommendation engine based on your riding ability and preferences.
5. Browse and access top world rides, Trailforks Gold trails, IMBA epics, and local race courses on the Garmin device.
6. The Edge 520 Plus and Edge 520, 820, 1000, 1030 have cycling maps pre-loaded so in addition to having routes or courses loaded, you can also see all the other mountain bike trails in a region.


It is this simple to load any trail, route, race, or ridelog onto a Garmin edge device from the Trailfroks mobile app:
Send routes to your Garmin device from Trailforks

by bentomas
Views: 16,694    Faves: 10    Comments: 1


The Garmin 520 now has cycling basemaps showing mountain bike trails.
Garmin device with cycling base map preloaded showing local mountain bike trails

Trailforks now available on the Garmin Edge devices 520 820 100 1030 including the new 520
Download full routes and popular rides

Showing trailfroks route preview
Preview route before downloading the FIT file to the device

Trailforks now available on the Garmin Edge devices 520 820 100 1030 including the new 520
Quick access to Popular Routes around the world

Garmin 520 Plus
Garmin 520 Plus following route with turn by turn directions and name of the trail you are riding on





Posted In:
Pinkbike Announcements Computers Trailforks Garmin Pinkbike Development


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radek avatar

Member since Jan 1, 2000
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125 Comments
  • 70 1
 Wow! That's awesome! Thanks team!
  • 60 0
 Might be time to finally buy a Garmin...
  • 20 0
 Was wanting a GPS and torn between Lezyne, wahoo and garmin. This just clearly made the choice for me.
  • 5 0
 @ratedgg13: This! Was looking at other brands but this seals the deal.
  • 30 0
 One of the best announcements on pinkbike in a while! Nice work guys!
  • 21 0
 Well thats a game changer! wow!
  • 19 2
 Maybe add to Wahoo aswel?
  • 5 2
 ^^^ this deserves a thought and an answer!
  • 9 5
 Yes please. Better product at a better price point imho.
  • 6 1
 Wahoo next pls! Keep being awesome, Trailforks!
  • 3 0
 If you mention it to them...maybe they'll come in...
  • 3 1
 Yes, would love to see Wahoo support. Best GPS products out there imo.
  • 2 0
 @Hwulex: +1 for wahoo!
  • 10 0
 @canadaka This looks sick! Any plan to roll out support on Garmin watches like the Fenix series?
  • 13 0
 Possibly in future, just want to get it dialed on Edge devices first.
  • 3 0
 @canadaka: +1 for vivoactive watches too!
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: Hell yeah, looking forward to it
  • 2 0
 @canadaka: Woo, Fenix 3 compatibility or just the newer stuff (Fenix 5, 935 etc)? In the meantime I guess Ill be using the edge on the mtb.
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: Please add the forerunner 235 if possible!
  • 1 0
 935 compatibility would be excellent!
  • 1 0
 I was able to load the Trailforks map to my Garmin Fenix 6X. This is not as robust as having a Connect IQ app compatible with the watch but it's good step forward. It was difficult to find clear instructions so here's the steps for anyone looking (this would work for other watch models as well):

1.) Donate to your local trail at www.trailforks.com/karma to earn 10 karma (currently $15)
2.) Go to www.trailforks.com/tools/garminmaps and download the map for your region
3.) Connect your watch to your computer and look for it as a USB drive (you may need to install Garmin Express first for it to show up)
4.) Copy the downloaded *.img file to the "GARMIN" folder on the watch

Other options that may work for adding trails to the watch include buying a membership for openmtbmap.org and using the same installation method or buying the official Garmin Cycling Map which is $20 currently and includes about 8 GB worth of data: buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/maps/on-the-trail-maps/cycling-maps/c452-c456-c11661-p1.html

Hopefully this will save someone else all the headaches I had finding this out
  • 10 0
 So good! This app just keeps getting better!
  • 2 0
 Hi all,
trailforks is the best "heatmap" for real mtb in any region so was really happy to see this iq app. Would be anywhere and want to go somewhere, just look into mobile, select the trail, save and let garmin navigate to the start point as well as on the trail. After some kilometers repeat it with the next trail.
Brilliant. No preparation at home needed,everything solvable on the fly.
But yesterday try it and becomes to be disappointed a bit. Like usual started my Edge 820 to record the activity and go... after some kilometers, when had a feeling I'm nearby the new trail, want to start iq app on my garmin and let them navigate. But garmin says I must first stop and save my activity to be able to run any iq app.
uf... Seems to be garmin is quite a stupid and does not support something like multitasking, on the other side course can be selected any time during recording so really no solution for it? Honestly, without those possibility all the miracle is a bit (more pr less completely) lost...
Yes, know, I can prepare everything at home and create courses or combine it on the fly with handy, but exactly this possibility was something really great.
Hopefully doing something wrong....so please help me.
  • 3 0
 Yes this is SUPER annoying that none of the Garmin devices allow a Connect IQ app to be opened after you've started recording. We've let Garmin know that this sucks. hopefully it's something they can change in the future with a firmware update.
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: yes, it makes having trail forks on your Garmin border line useless. A couple years later and it's still the same, hence finding this forum as I'm still looking to see if it's possible. Had I known this I wouldn't have bought it, seems uncompromisingly stupid. Do you know if this is the same on all devices or is it just my 520+? I'm surprised there aren't more people complaining about this.....
  • 4 1
 Trail forks works on my iPhone absolutely everywhere I’ve ever needed it to even beyond cell range. But, having a dedicated Garmin is still the best and allows one to save phone battery. Awesome!
  • 1 0
 I CANNOT get this to work for the life of me. i have created a route on trailforks, saved it, then when i go to 'My routes" on my Edge 520, i get an 'error -300' message.
As per the video on the trailforks site, after i click 'Save to', I click the "add to wishlist/device" and it says "error - cannot connect to server". So frustrated at this whole process.
Need help.
  • 1 0
 What type of internet connection are you doing this on? The -300 error on the Garmin is a garmin error, meaing NETWORK_REQUEST_TIMED_OUT so sounds like your internet data connection or your bluetooth connection is not good?

Are you able to load the same route you've saved to "My Routes" from the Trailforks mobile app?
What is the name of the route/rideplan your having the issue with?
  • 1 0
 So awesome. One suggestion... why does the app on the Garmin device show the entire list of all of my routes? Browsing through 10 pages of routes to try to locate the one I want is kinda tedious. Shouldn't it just show the ones that I have sent to the Garmin from the smartphone app?
  • 1 0
 Does trailforks app on garmin 520+ save the ride? Or does it go though garmin to trailforks. I'd like to see my map after I am done with a ride.

On my phone I would press the record ride. I don't want to use both phone and garmin to get trailforks info after my ride...I hope this make sense! lol
  • 1 0
 Only one route at a time? Was it the prior version that 10 Karma points allowed one map download? This is bullCrap that this is not explained better. There is Strava, The Connect, Karma points, etc... All of which is information no one is explain its, use, purpose or how to. Bunch of bullshit. Making easy hard.
  • 1 0
 One thing that would be cool would be for this to work with private trails. There are times where I want to ride trails that are listed as old forest roads in Trailforks, and I can't route across them. I create private trails to be able to save routes. Will this be able to view those private trails, or can Trailforks developers add a "freehand" routing that doesn't require snapping to features?
  • 1 0
 Late to the discussion here, but I'm trying to decide between a used (cheaper) 520 and the 520 plus. Once I have a trailforks map on the 520, will the 520 give 'turn-by-turn' by way of beeps or speech? Does the Plus do that? Or do neither do turn-by-turn with a trailforks map and it's just a visual map? TIA!
  • 1 0
 the 520 does not have basemaps. The 520 plus does. you want the 520 plus
  • 1 0
 what does it mean 'trails are preloaded' ? (i know what it means 'preloaded').

but can i update them? new trails emerge every day/week ..., what about status open/close? that can change quite often too..

i'd like to update my TF trails every week (or do it as my routine before every ride), is it possible ?
  • 1 0
 So awesome. I was about to buy a Lezyne computer to get turn-by-turn nav on my road bike, but this may have just convinced me to spend the extra money on a Garmin so I can also use nav on my mtb.
  • 1 0
 I bought the Lezyne color model a year and a half ago. It was much cheaper than the Garmin, but I couldn't read it in normal daylight so returned and upgraded to Garmin 520. No regrets.
  • 2 2
 How does this handle route direction changes and varying starting points? The problem I had with Garmin navigation is if you don't start a route where it says, it will always consider you off course and try to guide you back to the start. Also, you cannot run a route in reverse direction. It's too easy to confuse the Garmin.

I've left Garmin for Wahoo and couldn't be happier. I hope Trailforks also comes to Wahoo. I use it on my iPhone all the time when need be.

Cheers.
  • 1 0
 Here's a set of instructions on how to load a route from trailforks to your wahoo element on the fly. Not as straightforward, but it works.

a href="https://mtbblitz.blogspot.com/2018/04/trail-forks-sync-route-to-wahoo-elemnt.html">https://mtbblitz.blogspot.com/2018/04/trail-forks-sync-route-to-wahoo-elemnt.html/a>
  • 3 0
 I really want to do angel's staircase this year! bought an N+1 bike just for it!
  • 1 0
 Timing of this announcement is on point for me given I've just lost my Garmin VivoActive HR and was tossing up grabbing a new wrist based Garmin or use my Garmin 520 that's been primarily used on the road bike.
  • 1 0
 Amazing. I was considering selling my Garmin because I had to keep pulling out my damn phone every 5 minutes, which defeated the purpose of buying the freakin gps. Can’t wait to try this out.
  • 3 0
 Damn not compatible with my fenix 5x.
  • 2 0
 I have used the Trailforks Basemaps on the Fenix 5x. Also, comments above indicate that the Edge unis are just the first release. Just wait it bit, it will probably work soon enough
  • 1 0
 @todd: How do you go about getting the Trailforks basemaps on the Fenix 5x?
  • 1 0
 I'm not clear from this what the difference in functionality will be for the Trailforks app on the 520 versus the 520 plus? Anyone help?
  • 1 0
 The 520 does not have base maps. This means it will not show the topo and other trails. The 520 plus DOES have basemaps.
So if you load a route from trailforks on a 520 you will only see one line that you follow. If you have a 520 plus ( or other edge 820, 1030 ) you will see the route and the basemap.
  • 1 0
 @radek: Do the "Explore" Models of the 820 and 1000 allow downloading basemaps? If you had to buy a Garmin Edge out of your own pocket, which model would you choose? As in, which is the best value for those who are primarily interested in Strava uploads, Trailforks exploring, and Bikepacking?
  • 1 0
 @PHeller: The 520 plus has basemaps and BUTTONs so if you use gloves a lot that might be better.
The 820 and 1000 do have basemaps ability. The 820 is basically a 520, but with touchscreen.
The 1030 is the flagship and if you want a bigger screen and touch that's the one to get.
  • 1 0
 I'm gonna try it on my old Oregon 450. It should work if its the same file type. I got BRMB on there right now but it's not the same.
  • 1 0
 Hi guys which garmin works best or other device? I’ve a garmin edge explorer but I lose all the trail type metadata.....thanks
  • 3 0
 Excellent. Who do we poke for access to the hidden maps. Pretty please.
  • 2 0
 I'll stick with my 810 and openstreetmaps, not many trails around here on trailforks still.
  • 9 0
 Yes, lots of trails still to add to your region. You can always help out by contributing. :-) www.trailforks.com/contribute
  • 1 0
 @markholloway I have the app installed on my 520, and The proper iPhone apps. I go to routes in the Trailforks app on the garmin, and it tells me to go to the connect iq app to authorize Trailforks. I cannot find anything on any app about authorization. Please help thanks.
  • 1 0
 @skills25: I have the 520plus which I believe is the same procedure. You have to go to the connect app on your Iphone not the connect IQ app. Make sure your 520 is connected to your phone, click MORE bottom right, next click Garmin Devices, find your device and click it, click Activities, Apps and More, click Activities & Applications, then click Trailforks, it should allow you to authorize.

Let me know if that works for you.
  • 1 0
 So if you download the app does it automatically load the Trailforks maps? How does that part work? (I don't have an Edge but this might be a big incentive to upgrade)
  • 1 0
 The vid above pretty much covers it - "bookmark" a trail on Trailforks and it will get auto-downloaded to the app on your Garmin device. It doesn't download all of the trailforks data onto your device (since the garmin couldn't possibly store it all) but just the ones you pick.
  • 2 0
 @ertman: Okay that makes sense but what about a whole network? For example (and I'm asking as I'm going there later in the year) 3 Blind Mice near Penticton? Adding each and every trail by hand would be laborious...
  • 1 0
 Yeah, does it load some basemaps that have every trail trailforks knows about baked into the basemap tiles? Would be awesome to just go out and ride at a new area and see each junction.

When I've ridden with my old gps, even when I planned out a perfect route and loaded up a GPX the problem is when you get to a junction you often can't tell which way to take because the gps just shows one route. I sometimes have to go down the trail a few hundred meters before I can tell if I picked the right fork or the wrong fork.
  • 1 0
 The Garmin App and Trailforks Garmin Basemaps are separate, so you can use either/or. One of the pics above show a route loaded by the Garmin App showing on top of the basemaps. I actually just tried this out on a ride, and it works well, as you can see the route turning at each trail....uh...fork.
  • 1 0
 @todd:

So the Trailforks Garmin Basemaps definitely work on the edge 520? I was unclear on that from reading some pinkbike articles about the trailforks basemaps.
  • 1 0
 The Trailforks Garmin app doesn't handle the maps, beside the single route or trail you load. For the maps you still have to manually load a IMG file onto your device downloaded from the Trailforks website.
  • 2 0
 @SirChomps-a-Lot: the basemap kinda works on the 520 but there is no storage space or UI to select it, so it's bit of a hack.

But the new Edge 520 Plus has lots of storage and properly supports changing basemap.
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: Awesome.

I hope Garmin is paying you guys money, because you are making them money :-D
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: Any tips on how to load/select the TF basemaps? Bit confused if I'm supposed to simply copy to Garmin as is, or replace the existing base map file. If I copy 2 different TF maps, cans I switch between them? Does it happen automatically based on location?

Thanks! (520 Plus)
  • 1 0
 @MoonDogg: It's not obvious, but on Garmins you edit the activity settings to change the map. Not the overall Garmin system settings.
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: I finally stumbled on that. Definitely not intuitive, and I wasn't able to find any documentation anywhere that described how it worked.

Might be a good idea to put some additional how-to info on the Trailforks Maps page.

Thanks again!
  • 1 0
 @ertman: Is there a limit on the number of routes you can download in the app (on the GPS)? And is it possible to download a whole trail network instead of doing it trail by trail?
  • 2 0
 Replaced the Garmin maps with Trailforks maps on my edge 520 last year. Will give the app a go.
  • 1 0
 So this needs CommectIQ to function? Was looking at getting a new Lezyne Super GPS soon. Can it be ported over since it has turn by turn notifications?
  • 2 0
 This app is built specifically in the ConnectIQ SDK. So will only work for Garmin. But the Garmin devices do turn by turn directions too.
  • 2 0
 I’m late to the party on this one but this news was all I needed to pull the trigger on an Edge 520 plus.
  • 1 0
 Absolutely brilliant, my Edge 25 started to play up last night and this may just tip me over the edge to get an upgrade!
  • 3 0
 nice one, guys!
  • 3 1
 any plans to bring it onto the apple watch 3?
  • 3 0
 Need it for the Fenix3 !
  • 1 0
 This is great. Thanks guys.
Exactly what I’ve been hoping for — Trailforks CIQ app for the Garmin. Makes it so easy
  • 2 0
 Might be a stupid question but is there an Apple Watch app in the works?
  • 1 0
 just got a wahoo elmnt over the summer... might need to sell it for a 520 plus now! shit
  • 2 1
 Are there any plans to work with Wahoo computers as well?
  • 1 1
 @canadaka will this be coming to Suunto Sparta devices too? this is amazing work!
  • 1 0
 Right now there are no plans to do this.
  • 1 0
 Thank you!!!!!!!! Hope its coming to the watches soon.
  • 1 0
 Thanks! You just made my Garmin useful.
  • 1 0
 Why is this not available for my Garmin 810 edge?
  • 1 0
 There is no Connect IQ support on the 810. All the add on apps like Trailforks are Connect IQ, so you need a device that has that functionality.
  • 1 0
 Hi does it also work with Garmin Fenix 5X
  • 2 1
 Is trailforks available on the new Edge 130?
  • 2 0
 No, the 130 doesn't support Garmin ConnectIQ apps or Widgets, only data fields. It's one of the main limiting factors of it. But it does work on the just announced Edge 520 Plus, which also has plenty of storage to load Trailforks custom Garmin basemaps on. Along with any other basemaps you might find.
  • 1 0
 Awesome! Now I need a new Garmin ;(
  • 1 0
 ...also, what is "Trailforks Gold"???
  • 1 0
 . ... so I'm not the only one who thought the same thing.
  • 2 0
 This is a new thing, we are starting to tag routes what we find good quality. www.trailforks.com/routes/all/?supporter=374

We also have a featured tag on routes that local admins can tag those local routes with. TF Gold is only available to TF staff. We need to work on populating the list more now.
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: VERY COOL! A curated selection of routes with higher quality spatial data is an excellent idea. TF Gold Routes Routes!
  • 1 0
 And I was just about to sell my 520.....looks like that wont happen
  • 1 0
 For God's sake its about time. Thank you!
  • 1 0
 time to upgrade from my trusty edge 25!
  • 1 1
 Would love this, why no 810 support when it's identical to other devices on here?
  • 3 0
 That's a Garmin thing, no Connect IQ support on 810.
  • 1 1
 @canadaka Wow! This is seriously impressive Smile Will this eventually show up on Suunto products like the Ambit watches?
  • 1 0
 Sooo cool Garmin for the win!
  • 1 0
 The utility of my Gamin just doubled. Great news!
  • 1 0
 What about other Garmin devices. Oregon line ???
  • 1 0
 Any way to hack a Garmin eTrex 20 to work with this?
  • 1 0
 I still don't know how to get Trailfork Direction on my I Phone...
  • 1 0
 Please tell me you guys are working on getting wahoo support as well...
  • 1 0
 Does this work with a Garmin Edge explore 820
  • 1 0
 Will this work on the new 130+?
  • 1 0
 #RIDEWITHGUIDE
  • 1 0
 Not on the 810? ????
  • 1 0
 Awesome! Well done guys!
  • 1 0
 This is pretty rad
  • 1 0
 Will it still be free?
  • 6 0
 Yes
  • 1 0
 @canadaka: How do I use direction on my Iphone if I am not starting at the starting point?
  • 1 0
 Thank you. So underated.
  • 1 0
 EPIC!!!!
  • 1 0
 I love you
  • 1 0
 What about the edge 530?
  • 1 0
 yes, it works on the 530
  • 1 3
 Please expand to the Wahoo Platform. So much better than Garmin.
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