Read the structure before the shape
A GPX document can contain named waypoints, planned route points and recorded track segments. A segment break often represents a recording interruption, a missing interval or a deliberate separation. Joining the last fix of one segment to the first fix of another can add a long distance that was never recorded. Inspect the segment count as well as the visible line.
The workbench displays the supplied geometry locally. There is no road network behind the drawing and no navigation engine to verify a path. A straight edge between fixes is simply the relationship encoded by the file. A ferry crossing, tunnel or GPS jump may all look like a line; the software cannot decide which interpretation is correct from coordinates alone.
Choose an edit that matches the problem
Exact duplicate cleaning removes consecutive fixes only when their coordinates, time, elevation, supported metadata and sensor extensions are identical. A stationary recording with advancing timestamps is retained. Simplification reduces interior fixes according to a spherical cross-track tolerance, while keeping segment endpoints. It can remove time and sensor samples attached to those fixes, so compare the result against your purpose.
Splitting at an interior fix repeats the existing boundary fix in both resulting segments. That preserves the two pieces’ geometry without inventing a new location. Gap splitting instead breaks edges that exceed your distance or timed-gap thresholds, including reversed time edges. Use the point inspector to distinguish a real pause from a corrupted interval before applying a broad rule.
Merge recordings without hiding discontinuities
Merge takes the selected tracks in selection order and places their segments in one track object. Existing gaps remain gaps. Point and segment fields stay with retained geometry; track-level metadata is replaced with the chosen merged name and recorded in the change notes.
Prepare an edited GPX and inspect it in your intended destination. Compare point and segment counts, selected coordinates and the distance report. Keep your original file separately for private recovery. The workbench does not include original sources inside downloads, because a later privacy edit must not accidentally package the untrimmed recording alongside the edited route.