Please READ THIS CAREFULLY - it's a complex topic!
The Route Index is a resource for prospective riders - routes submitted by past riders are listed for download.
There is no "official route" for the UK E2E and every rider has preferences and reasons for choosing a route . . that makes indexing and searching complex. Couple that with the various mapping and planning options and it gets really complicated!
To start the Route Index routes are listed as either .gpx or .pdf files.
.gpx which is (almost) universal across mapping software, online route planning services and, of course, GPS gadgets - should enable routes to be downloaded and applied to the method the user chooses.
.pdf for written routes, as a simple document to print. (Most word-processing software has an option make .pdf fles)
The Route Index within the Cycle : End-to-End website has been created to store the files in several categories - it's possible to scroll through the file descriptions, or search using keywords. The usefulness of the search is obviously driven by the descriptive text for the route.
Each route listed will have only ONE file (for a route with multiple .gpx files they can be uploaded as a .zip file ... the download will be for the single .zip)
Thus it should be possible for someone to : find a suitable file in the Route Index; download a .gpx file; use that file in PC mapping software (e.g. Memory Map or Tracklogs) OR an online mapping service (www. bikemap. net, www. bikeroutetoaster. com etc ) OR load it to GPS mapping software (e.g. Garmin MapSource) OR direct to the GPS gadget.
Disclaimer: Cycle : End-to-End is listing the resources as a service without recommendation or endorsement. Use at your own risk! Submitters will be responsible for any copyright or usage licences etc.