# Importing routes from OS Maps

> **Release note**
>
> The release that originally delivered this was in [04-Oct-2026 — add subscriptions and manage saved routes](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to/committee/release-notes/2026-10-04-issue-403).

Saving a route in OS Maps does not put it into NGX. [Walks admin → Routes](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/walks/admin/routes "{{siteUrl}}") lists what is on the OS Maps account. NGX only holds a route after you import it.

That is two steps: **load** the list from OS Maps, then **convert** the routes you want.

## 1. Load the OS Maps list

The first time you open Routes, use **Load routes from OS Maps**. After that, the circular button next to **Last loaded** is **Reload routes from OS Maps**.

Either button scans the account and refreshes the list. It does not import anything. Progress is on the **Job progress** tab.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/90924083-d13f-4771-8e71-6013d8dfd9e9.png)

When the scan finishes you get **Routes loaded**. **Last loaded** updates. Go back to the **Routes** tab to work through the list.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/8a143a2b-0309-452d-8ca4-7123c5b3d085.png)

## 2. See what is already in NGX

The list is mixed on purpose.

- A **map** means the GPX is already in NGX. You can open it, delete it if no walk uses it, or follow the OS Maps link.
- A **placeholder** means the route still lives only in OS Maps.

In the screenshot, a search for *Frittenden* shows one imported route with a map, and two placeholders that are still only on OS Maps. **Show** can be set to All routes, Not imported or Imported so you can find placeholders without wading through ones you already brought in.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/27a07033-cb9e-48cc-bbab-46a872a6df83.png)

## 3. Convert the ones you want

Tick the checkbox on each placeholder you want. Then **Convert selected to GPX**. Only the ticked routes are imported. Already-imported ones stay marked, so next time you can see what is still to do.

The view switches to **Job progress**. You can convert any number of routes in one go. While a conversion is running there is a **Stop** control. Saved files and failures are reported together when the job finishes.

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/66a030f5-a788-4724-b620-c16d811b8728.png)

## 4. Back on the Routes tab

When the job has finished, open the **Routes** tab again. Placeholders you converted now show a map, with **Open** and a delete control if no walk uses them. They can be edited or linked to walks like any other saved route.

When new routes have been saved in OS Maps, reload the list and convert again.

The Routes area of the how-to is [here](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to/committee/routes). Drawing and following a route on a walk is covered separately in [Planning and following walk routes](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/how-to/committee/walks/route-planning-and-following).

![](https://ngx-ramblers.org.uk/api/aws/s3/site-content/d57a0a4b-7f68-4b1b-8554-e281dd6cbcce.png)