From Notion to Garmin: The Complete Guide to Exporting Your Travel Wishlist to GPS
Export Notion places to Garmin GPS devices in minutes. Step-by-step GPX guide for offline navigation on watches, handhelds, and bike computers.
Getting your Notion places onto a Garmin device takes just three steps: export to GPX, transfer the file, and navigate offline anywhere. This guide walks you through the complete process for watches, handhelds, and bike computers.
You've spent months curating the perfect travel wishlist in Notion. Hidden waterfalls, remote campsites, that bakery a friend mentioned in a tiny French village. Your database is a treasure trove of places you want to visit. But when you're standing at a trailhead with no cell service, that beautifully organized Notion database becomes completely useless.
This is where GPX files change everything. By exporting your Notion places to GPX format, you can load them directly onto your Garmin device and navigate to any waypoint without needing internet access.
Why GPX Format Matters for Notion to Garmin Transfers
GPX, or GPS Exchange Format, has become the standard language for GPS data exchange. Unlike proprietary formats that lock you into specific ecosystems, GPX is supported by most major GPS devices and navigation apps. Your Garmin, your friend's Suunto, that old eTrex gathering dust in your closet—they all read GPX files.
More importantly, GPX files are completely self-contained. Once a waypoint is on your device, it doesn't need to phone home to any server. The coordinates, names, and descriptions are all stored locally. This makes GPX ideal for backcountry navigation where cellular coverage is a distant memory.
Exporting from Notion to Maps
The export process is straightforward. First, make sure your Notion database has a Place property with coordinates for each location you want to export. Notion's Place property stores latitude and longitude automatically when you search for a location, so most databases are already set up correctly.
Head to Notion to Maps and connect your Notion workspace. Once you've authorized access, select the database containing your travel wishlist. You'll see your places displayed on an interactive map, which is a great way to verify everything looks correct before exporting.
Click the GPX export button, and your browser will download a file containing all your waypoints. The file is named after your database, making it easy to identify later. Each place in your Notion database becomes a waypoint in the GPX file, complete with the name and any description you've added.
Loading Waypoints on Your Garmin
Getting the GPX file onto your Garmin depends on which device you have. Connect your Garmin to your computer using a USB cable. It should appear as a removable drive, just like a USB flash drive.
The exact folder location varies by device model. Common locations include Garmin/GPX, Garmin/NewFiles, or simply the GPX folder in the device root. Check your device's manual for the specific location, or look for an existing GPX folder. Simply drag your downloaded GPX file into the appropriate folder and safely eject the device.
When you power on your Garmin and navigate to your waypoints or saved locations, you'll find all your Notion places waiting for you. Each waypoint shows the name from your Notion database, and you can navigate to any of them with a few button presses.
For newer Garmin devices that support Garmin Explore, you can also import GPX files through the web interface or mobile app, which then syncs to your device automatically.
Works with More Than Just Garmin
While we've focused on Garmin devices, the same GPX file works with many other apps and devices. Gaia GPS imports GPX files directly through its mobile app. Just open the file on your phone, and Gaia adds the waypoints to your library where they're available offline with downloaded maps.
AllTrails accepts GPX imports for planning custom routes. Komoot can import waypoints to help plan cycling and hiking adventures. Even Google Earth on your desktop can open GPX files for visualization and planning.
This universality is the real power of GPX. Export once from Notion to Maps, and you can use that file across your entire navigation toolkit.
The Offline Navigation Advantage
There's something deeply reassuring about having your navigation data stored locally on a dedicated GPS device. Your phone battery dies, but your Garmin keeps going—many handheld models offer extended battery life compared to smartphones. You're in a canyon with no signal, but your waypoints are right there on screen.
For backcountry travel, this isn't just convenient—it's a safety consideration. Knowing exactly where that water source is, or how far to the next campsite, can make the difference between a great trip and a miserable one.
By keeping your travel research in Notion and exporting to GPX when you need it, you get the best of both worlds. The organizational power of Notion for planning, and the reliability of dedicated GPS hardware for execution. Your travel wishlist finally becomes useful exactly when you need it most: when you're out there exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer GPX to my Garmin device?
Three methods work for most Garmin devices. First, upload to Garmin Connect web and sync via the Garmin Connect phone app. Second, connect your device via USB cable and copy the GPX file directly to the GARMIN/GPX folder (or NewFiles on some models). Third, use Garmin BaseCamp desktop software for more control over waypoint organization before transfer.
What Garmin devices support GPX waypoints?
All Garmin outdoor devices support GPX: Fenix, Enduro, and Instinct watches; Forerunner running watches; Edge bike computers; GPSMAP handhelds; inReach satellite communicators; and Overlander vehicle navigators. Even entry-level models support waypoint import—it's a core GPS feature.
Can I navigate turn-by-turn to my Notion waypoints on Garmin?
Garmin devices with built-in maps (Fenix 7, Edge with maps, GPSMAP series) can calculate routes to waypoints with turn-by-turn directions. Basic devices without maps show direction and distance to waypoints instead. For full routing, ensure your device has routable maps installed.
How many waypoints can my Garmin hold?
Capacity varies by device. Fenix 7 series holds 10,000+ waypoints. Older Forerunner models may limit to 1,000-2,000. GPSMAP handhelds typically store 10,000+. Check your specific device specifications if exporting large Notion databases.
Will my Notion property data appear on my Garmin?
The place name becomes the waypoint name on your Garmin. Other Notion properties are combined into the description field, which you can view in waypoint details. Display varies by device—most show the name prominently with description accessible via a details menu.