NCTA’s GIS/GPS Data Depository
Google Earth lets you view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, etc. You can explore rich geographical content, save your toured places, and share with others.
Download Google Earth Here
ArcExplorer is a freely available lightweight GIS data viewer that lets you perform a variety of basic GIS functions. This tool might be useful for looking at the centerline and point data.
Download ArcExplorer Here
GPSBabel lets you convert KML data to numerous native GPS formats…in other words, make this data work with your GPS unit.
Download GPSBabel Here
NCTA Distribution Pack
The following data sets contain line and point information for sections of NCT where the NCTA and its chapters are the primary stewards of the trail or areas where our affiliate partners have approved distribution of this data.
Google Earth- KML (Lines and Points):
| Format | Download Link | Updated |
| KML | nct_kml.zip(8.1 MB) | 5/17/2013 |
Shapefile (Lines and Points):
| Format | Download Link | Updated |
| Shapefile | nct_shp.zip (6.1 MB) | 5/17/2013 |
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
The data looks great!
Are the Ohio and New York sections that are currently missing going to be added at some point?
For most of Ohio and New York, we work with the Buckeye Trail Association and the Finger Lakes Trail Conference respectively. Currently, you should visit their websites for the most up-to-date information:
http://www.buckeyetrail.org/
http://www.fingerlakestrail.org/
Thanks for this very useful data!
Any chance it is broken down into smaller segments? I am looking mostly at PA sections of the trail and my software/computer can’t digest the whole NCT dataset at once.
Sorry Dave – We’re not offering the data in smaller segments yet. We will be in the near future and the Allegheny National Forest will be one of the first segments we put up. Stay tuned.
I would also like to be able to download trail maps state by state so that I can actually use this great data! Let me know, I could volunteer to make one for Wisconsin.
Contact Matt Rowbotham at mrowbotham@northcountrytrail.org to ask about this.
Very helpful
When I was between published maps, I was able to follow the trail through North Dakota, I was able to use both my GPS and my iphone to stay on the trail.
Just wanted to say thanks for the data. Excellent. Very useful.
I’ve been section hiking the NCT for a decade and, for some ridiculous reason, have never seen this data.
Thanks for all your hard work.
Data looks great on Google earth! Thanks!
Thanks Martha, check back every once and a while. I”ll be making updates. Next step is to update the symbols used for the markers to more standard “P”‘s for parking “tents” for camping, etc.