Beautiful GPX
frenes
Create a visual

Add points of interest (POIs) to a GPX track

For a clean travel souvenir map, POIs are the best way to tell your story: stages, nights, iconic passes, viewpoints… then export a shareable, printable image.

Which POIs to add for bike trips and hikes?

  • Stages / nights (camp, hut, hotel).
  • Towns and villages (or only major stops).
  • Mountain passes, summits, key sections.
  • Memorable spots: viewpoints, photo locations, tough climbs.

Steps

  1. Import your GPX file (or multiple stages).
  2. Add POIs, by hand or automatically, and name them clearly.
  3. Adjust style and readability (colors, sizes, contrast).
  4. Export as a basemap map or as a transparent overlay.

Tip: a souvenir map is better with 8 strong POIs than 25 unreadable labels.

beautiful-gpx.com/editor
Adding points of interest (towns and stage ends) on the Tour de l’Aubrac track
Towns along the way and stage ends, each with its own icon and label style.

Place POIs automatically

In the editor’s POI tab, the “Add POIs automatically” button opens a window where you tick the categories you want. The editor detects them on your visible tracks and gives each category its own marker and label style.

  • With OpenStreetMap data: start and finish named after the town, passes and summits crossed with their elevation, viewpoints, heritage, lakes, towns and villages along the way.
  • From the track: highest point, distance markers (from 1 to 100 km) and halfway.
  • If the track has timestamps: breaks with their duration, nights on a multi-day route and time markers.

OpenStreetMap data is not exhaustive: a pass that is unnamed or missing is not added. Tick only what matters for your map, then rename, move or delete as needed.

Keep the map readable

  • Limit POIs to what matters.
  • Use short labels (e.g. “Day 3: Pass X”).
  • Pick a clean basemap if you have lots of text.

Two useful exports

Depending on your use case, export:

  • Souvenir map: basemap + POIs + labels, great for printing.
  • Sticker/overlay: track (and optionally POIs) on a transparent background for editing.
A keepsake map with basemap next to the same route as a transparent overlay
Left: the keepsake map. Right: the same route and POIs as a transparent overlay.
Add my POIs now

FAQ

What is a POI?

A labeled point on your map (stage, pass, camp, viewpoint, etc.).

Can I name POIs?

Yes, clear names make the map instantly understandable.

Start/finish: automatic or manual?

Both: tick Start and Finish in “Add POIs automatically” to place them and name them after the town, or add them by hand.

Can I edit POIs added automatically?

Yes, like any other: you can rename them, change their style, move their marker or label, or delete them.

How many POIs for a readable map?

Usually 5 to 15, depending on density and layout.

Can I change POI color/shape?

Yes, use it to distinguish “stage” vs “spot” vs “pass”.

Can I build a multi-day map?

Yes, combine POIs with segment colors for Day 1/2/3.

Can POIs be included in a transparent export?

Yes, useful for layering on photos/videos.

How do I avoid overlapping labels?

Reduce POI count, shorten labels, or switch to a cleaner basemap.

Is it useful for loop hikes?

Yes, mark key points (lake, pass, viewpoint, start/finish).

Any print tips?

Export in HD, use strong contrast, choose a clean basemap, and keep POIs limited.