Digital Takeout Day
← Back to all guides
Guide

Export Strava Data: GPS Files, Heart Rate & Activity History (2026)

Strava stores every activity you have ever logged — GPS routes, pace, heart rate, power, elevation, and years of personal records. The export gives you actual GPS files you can take anywhere, not just a data snapshot. This guide covers how to get everything out, what the files mean, and how to use them with other platforms.

What Strava stores about you

  • Every activity with GPS track, timestamp, and duration
  • Pace, speed, distance, and elevation per activity
  • Heart rate data (if recorded)
  • Power data (if recorded via power meter)
  • Cadence and other sensor data
  • Segment times and personal records (PRs/KOMs)
  • Kudos, comments, and social interactions
  • Your follower and following lists
  • Gear (shoes, bikes) and mileage logs
  • Route history and saved routes
  • Profile and account info

Bulk export vs single activity — two ways to get your data

  • Bulk export (all activities at once) — via Settings > My Account > Download or Delete Your Account
  • Individual activity export — open any activity > three-dot menu > Export GPX or Export FIT
  • Bulk is best for archiving everything; individual is useful when you need one file for a specific device or app

How to request the bulk export (step by step)

  1. Go to strava.com and sign in.
  2. Click your profile picture > Settings.
  3. Scroll to My Account at the bottom.
  4. Click "Download or Delete Your Account".
  5. Click "Request Your Archive".
  6. Confirm via the email Strava sends.
  7. Wait for the notification email — usually within a few hours, can take up to 10 days for large accounts.
  8. Download the ZIP before the link expires.

How to export a single activity

  1. Open the activity on Strava.
  2. Click the three-dot menu (...).
  3. Choose Export GPX or Export FIT.
  4. Save the file.

What the bulk archive contains

  • activities/ folder — one file per activity in GPX, FIT, or TCX format (format depends on how it was originally recorded)
  • activities.csv — a spreadsheet summary of every activity: name, date, type, distance, moving time, elevation, heart rate, calories, gear
  • profile.csv — your account profile data
  • comments.csv — all comments left on activities
  • kudos.csv — all kudos given and received

GPX vs FIT vs TCX — which format to keep

  • GPX: GPS Exchange Format — open standard, works everywhere, plain XML you can open in a text editor
  • FIT: Flexible and Interoperable Data Transfer — Garmin's binary format, stores more sensor data (power, cadence, HRV), smaller file size, requires a tool to read
  • TCX: Training Center XML — older Garmin format, similar to GPX, less common now
  • For most uses GPX is fine; for power and advanced metrics keep the FIT files

Using your Strava files with Garmin, Wahoo, Runalyze, and more

  • Import to Garmin Connect: drag FIT or GPX files into the Garmin Connect web uploader
  • Import to Wahoo: use the Wahoo app or RideWithGPS to push routes to your device
  • Import to Runalyze: upload GPX or FIT for deep analytics — VO2 max trends, training load, fitness/fatigue curves
  • Import to Komoot or RideWithGPS for route planning
  • Open in Google Earth or CalTopo using GPX files to visualise routes
  • Use activities.csv in a spreadsheet for personal stats and charts

What happens when you cancel Strava

  • Free accounts retain all data indefinitely
  • If you delete your account, Strava says data is removed within 30 days
  • Your activities are no longer visible to others immediately on deletion
  • Export before cancelling — once deleted, the data is gone

Where to store your Strava export

  • Keep the activities/ folder — each file is small but the collection represents years of effort
  • Store in a folder named strava-2026-04
  • Off-site copy in ProtonDrive (go.getproton.me/SH2aK) or pCloud (partner.pcloud.com/r/155235)
  • The activities.csv is especially worth keeping — it's a clean spreadsheet summary of your entire athletic history

Quick version

If you want the short checklist instead of the full guide, use the service page.

Related guides

FAQ

How long does the Strava bulk export take?

A few hours to up to 10 days for large accounts.

What format are the activity files in?

GPX, FIT, or TCX depending on how they were recorded — FIT stores the most data.

Does the export include heart rate and power data?

Yes, if it was recorded — it is stored in the FIT or GPX file.

Can I import my Strava activities into Garmin Connect?

Yes — drag FIT or GPX files into the Garmin Connect web uploader.

Does exporting delete my Strava data?

No — export and deletion are separate.

What is the activities.csv file?

A spreadsheet summary of every activity with distance, time, elevation, heart rate, and more.

What happens to my data if I delete my account?

Strava says it is removed within 30 days — export before deleting.

Can I use my Strava files with other fitness apps?

Yes — GPX and FIT are open formats supported by Garmin, Wahoo, Runalyze, Komoot, and many others.