How To Create A Route On Strava

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Running and cycling are some of the best outdoor activities, especially due to the health benefits associated with them. However, if you stick to the same route for a long period of time then these fun activities could turn into mundane tasks. This overall could distract you from your fitness routine. To avoid such circumstances, you should prefer to go running and cycling on different routes and places.

If you are new to a place and don’t know much about the neighborhood, then you can use Strava to create new routes for you. Strava uses GPS technology to show you tracks and routes and helps you to keep track of your activity. Moreover, you can use someone else’s route on Strava as well, in case you do not want to create yours. This tutorial will teach how you can create routes and use them on Strava. So, let’s get started.

Recommended Read: Runkeeper Vs Strava

Create A Route On Strava

Earlier this facility was only restricted to the web, but now you can use the Strava app available on both Android and iOS platforms to do the same. However, for creating a route on mobile, you would require a premium membership. If you are a normal user then creating a route on the Strava website is your only choice.

On The Web

1. Vist Strava on your desktop and login to your account. On the homepage select Dashboard > My Routes.

2. Now under My Routes click on the Create New Route button.

create new routes on Strava

3. On the next page, Starva’s Route Builder will open. Here type your place or locality in the search bar at the top left corner and hit enter. Now select your activity (Ride or Run) from the right side of the toolbar.

route builder

You can zoom in and out of the map by scrolling the mouse wheel or using the Plus(+) and Minus(-) button.

4. Now to create a route, click on a trail or path, you can create as many waypoints on the path to create a route. The starting point will be shown by a green dot and the rest of the waypoints will be shown in white.

WAYPOINTS IN ROUTE

Note: Keep the Popularity slider ON to see the most popular routes for riding or running in your place.

5. You can further customize your route by clicking on the gear icon at the top left corner. Here you can choose the unit(km or mi) which you want to display on your map. Also, select whether you want distance markers or not, and you can also enable Global Heatmap to see the most popular places for outdoor activities near you.

customise route

Other than that, you can also change the map view from OSM to Standard or Satellite.

6. Once you are ready with the route, click on the Save button on the top right corner. A pop up will appear which will allow you to name the route and give it a description.

save the route

If you want to make this route private then you can check the Private box below the Description field, or else this route will be visible to all the users on Strava.

7. With this, your route is saved. You can click on View My Route button to see your saved route.

view my route

8. On the next page, you will see the route with an elevation chart beneath it. You can also share, print, export, edit, duplicate your route on this page.

view your route

9. The newly created route can be seen on your mobile app under the Record Activity > Routes section.

created routes on Strava

10. Now on the next page, you will see all the routes created by you. To use any route just tap on Use route.

Use route on Strava app

When you start using a route on the Strava app it will guide or navigate you through the route using the GPS technology. Just make sure you have turned ON the location and mobile data on your phone and then you are good to go.

Create Route On Strava Mobile App

If you have opted for Strava Summit (paid membership), then you can use the Strava app to create a route on your phone itself.

1. Open Strava app on your phone and tap on the + icon at the bottom right corner. From the options that show up, select Record Activity. If you are using an iPhone then you can simply tap on Record at the bottom.

record activity

2. Now select the route icon from the bottom left corner. You can also tap on the shoe icon next to the route icon to change the activity (Ride or Run) for which you want to create the route.

routes icon

3. Next, tap on the add icon at the top right corner to create a new route.

click on add new route

4. On the route builder screen, tap on the edit icon to create a route.

route builder for mobile

5. Now swipe your finger over the map and it will show you a route according to that. You can undo the route by selecting the Undo icon next to the edit option. Once you are happy with the route, tap on the Done button.

Strava create route on mobile phone

6. On the next screen, you will see the overview of your newly created route. Now, tap on the Save button at the top right corner to save the route.

Save the route

Here you can also make this route private by toggling off the Everyone button. Or you can keep it the way it is to make your route visible to all. Also, similar to the previous method the created routes will be under the Record Activity > Routes section of the mobile app.

Use Someone Eles’s Route On Strava

If you do not want to create your own route on Strava then you can use an already created route by your friend or someone else.

Note: If someone has created private routes then their routes will not be visible to you.

1. Open the Strava app on your phone and tap on the people icon at the top right corner.

people icon

2. Now tap on the search icon to find your friend or an athlete on Strava.

search for athleteOr you can select the athlete you are already following on the app.

3. Once you find the athlete, tap on their name and you will be redirected to their profile.

select athlete

4. Now under their profile, scroll down and tap on Routes at the bottom. On the next screen, you will see all the routes created by the athlete. To use any route, tap on Use Route.

how to use someone else's route on Strava

So, this is how easily you can use someone else’s route on Strava.

Recommended Reading: Best Cycling Apps

Conclusion

If you wish to live a healthy and fit lifestyle, then you should definitely include running or cycling in your daily routine. Also, with the Strava app now you can create new routes and record your activities and share it with your friends. This overall makes your outdoor activities more fun and happening. We hope you liked our tutorial and if you do, then share it with your fellow runners and riders as well.

About The Author

  • Ankit Prasad

    Ankit is a tech enthusiast and loves to write. He is also very keen on gadgets and smartphones. Likes to read tech blogs and gain as much knowledge as he can.

Photo of author

Ankit Prasad

Ankit is a tech enthusiast and loves to write. He is also very keen on gadgets and smartphones. Likes to read tech blogs and gain as much knowledge as he can.

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