How to use GPS for hikes

Hello everyone,
I am a total noob here. Sorry if this is the wrong spot or repetitive info. I have recently gotten a garmin fenix 5x. I am loving it. I am a hiker and crossfitter and spartan racer. I have been using the fitness tracking quite well, but I am needing to learn how to use it for hiking. Do I have to download maps and stuff for it or is some stuff saved?

The reason I ask is because in August I am doing a Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim hike of the grand canyon. I would love to have the trail on my watch so I can see how far I am to the Phantom Ranch and be able to use it to figure out how far I have gone and how far I still have to go to the ranch and from each rim so I can space out water and snacks. I also would love or apreciate any tips for using the watch in this manner. I have googled alot and seen videos of having to use garmin connect to get stuff on the watch, but was not sure if I needed too. There is so much info out there its a little overwhelming so I figured I would look to the community for direction. Thanks guys!

0 SAHO over 6 years ago

The maps should be included and pre-loaded on the watch, at least for the part of the world where you’ve bought it.

You can already use it out of the box to browse the map while hiking, see your past trail, navigate back to start etc.

If you want to follow a pre-planned route, you should check out the Garmin Explore app and/or website. It’s separate from Garmin Connect, however you log in with the same credentials.
With the Explore app you can import routes or create from scratch, and then sync it to your watch.
I’ve found it really simple and intuitive to use!

0 cypher7810 over 6 years ago

Is it on the apple store? Thank you for the info!

0 cypher7810 over 6 years ago

How would I set waypoints along the trail?

0 Nikeow over 6 years ago

This Post - #583

and https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/garmin-connect/feature-requests/1474158-enable-course-points-drawn-in-gc-or-gcm-to-be-wirelessly-transferred-to-watch

can possibly help you .. give it a read.

With GC Mobile on the phone (IOS), I find that creating custom routes using it is a little bit better/intuitive vs that of Garmin Explore.

For me, I would
Garmin Explore - For Waypoints Management and Route management "on the fly"
Garmin Connect - For Route creation, for course points creation (but ultimately, would still need to upload to NEWFILES to get course points into the watch correctly for navigation)