Planning Routes on the Web
Create custom hiking, cycling, and trekking routes directly in your browser with AltoTrails' powerful web-based route planning tool. Plan your adventures, save them to your account, and sync seamlessly to the mobile app.
Getting Started with Web Planning
Accessing the Planning Tool
- Go to altotrails.com/explore
- Click the "Plan a Route" button at the top of the page
- The map will enter planning mode with route planning tools displayed
No installation required - plan routes directly in your web browser on desktop or mobile devices.
Choosing Your Route Type
Select the appropriate route type from the toolbar to optimize path calculation:
Available Route Types
- Walk - 5 km/h average speed, uses pedestrian paths and sidewalks
- Trek - 2.5 km/h slower pace, optimized for hiking trails and mountain paths
- Cycle - 15 km/h average speed, follows bike-friendly routes and paths
- Drive - 60 km/h average speed, uses road networks for vehicle navigation
- Straight Line - Direct point-to-point connection without following paths
Each route type uses intelligent routing to calculate the best path between your waypoints based on the activity.
Creating Your Route
Adding Waypoints
- Click on the map to place your starting point
- Click again to add the next waypoint
- The route automatically calculates the path between points
- Continue adding waypoints to build your complete route
- Real-time statistics update as you plan:
- Total distance in kilometers/miles
- Cumulative elevation gain (ascent)
- Cumulative elevation loss (descent)
- Estimated time of arrival (ETA)
Interactive Route Building
- Automatic routing between waypoints using OpenStreetMap data
- Elevation data fetched in real-time for accurate climb calculations
- Visual route line displayed on the map with start/end markers
- Waypoint markers numbered sequentially for easy reference
Route Editing & Management
Undo & Redo
- Click the undo arrow to remove the last waypoint
- Click the redo arrow to restore a removed waypoint
- Build routes confidently knowing you can easily make changes
Clearing Your Route
- Click the trash icon to delete the entire route and start over
- Confirmation required to prevent accidental deletions
Viewing Elevation Profile
- Toggle the elevation profile to see terrain changes along your route
- Hover over the profile to see elevation at specific points
- Identify steep climbs and descents before you go
- Plan rest stops at flat sections
Saving Routes to Your Account
Prerequisites
- Login required - create a free AltoTrails account or sign in with Google
- Routes are saved to your personal profile
Save Process
- Click the "Save Route" button in the planning toolbar
- Enter a route name - choose something descriptive and memorable
- Add a description (optional) - include details about the route, difficulty, highlights, or notes
- Set privacy:
- Private - Only visible to you
- Public - Visible to other AltoTrails users
- Click "Save to Account"
What Gets Saved
Your saved route includes:
- All waypoints and route coordinates
- Route name and description
- Activity type (walking, trekking, cycling, etc.)
- Total distance and elevation gain
- Creation date and version info
- Your user profile association
Syncing to the Mobile App
Automatic Sync
Once saved, your planned route automatically appears in the AltoTrails mobile app:
- Open the AltoTrails mobile app on iOS or Android
- Go to your Profile tab
- Tap "My Trails" or "Synced Routes"
- Find your web-planned route in the list
- Tap to view on the map or start navigation
Benefits of Sync
- Plan on desktop, navigate on mobile - use a large screen for detailed planning
- Offline access - downloaded routes work without internet connection
- Real-time GPS navigation - turn-by-turn guidance using your planned route
- Track your progress - compare actual route to planned route during activity
Exporting Routes
GPX Export
Export your planned route as a GPX file for use in other apps and GPS devices:
- Click "Save Route" button
- Select "Export as GPX"
- GPX file downloads to your device
- Import into Garmin, Suunto, Strava, or other apps
GPX File Contents
- Complete route path with coordinates
- Elevation data at each point
- Route name and description
- Activity type metadata
- Compatible with all major GPS devices and apps
Advanced Planning Features
Real-Time Statistics
Monitor your route metrics as you plan:
- Distance - Total route length updated instantly
- Ascent - Total elevation gain for climb difficulty
- Descent - Total elevation loss
- ETA - Estimated time based on route type and terrain
Map Layer Options
Switch between different map styles:
- Streets - Standard road map view
- Outdoors - Terrain and trail features
- Satellite - Aerial imagery
- Topographic - Contour lines and elevation
Search and Navigate
- Search for locations to quickly jump to specific areas
- Use current location to center the map on your position
- Zoom and pan for precise waypoint placement
Tips for Effective Route Planning
Before You Start
- Research the area - check trail conditions and closures
- Consider fitness level - match route difficulty to your abilities
- Check weather forecasts - plan around conditions
- Download offline maps to the mobile app for the area
During Planning
- Add waypoints at key intersections for better route accuracy
- Review elevation profile - avoid unexpected steep sections
- Plan for water and rest - add waypoints at facilities
- Consider daylight hours - use ETA to plan finish time
Route Types Best Practices
- Walking/Trekking - Include trails, paths, and foot-accessible routes
- Cycling - Verify bike-friendly roads and paths
- Driving - Check for seasonal road closures
- Straight Line - Useful for cross-country or off-trail planning
Common Use Cases
Day Hikes
Plan circular or point-to-point day hikes with:
- Parking at start/end points
- Scenic viewpoints as waypoints
- Lunch stops at peaks or water features
- Return route considerations
Multi-Day Treks
Create multi-segment routes with:
- Camping spots as waypoints
- Daily distance targets
- Water source locations
- Bailout route options
Cycling Tours
Design bike routes with:
- Bike-friendly roads and paths
- Elevation profile review
- Rest stop planning
- Scenic route alternatives
Training Routes
Build training loops with:
- Specific distance targets
- Elevation gain goals
- Interval training sections
- Progress tracking
Technical Details
Routing Engine
- OSRM (Open Source Routing Machine) - industry-standard routing
- OpenStreetMap data - comprehensive global coverage
- Activity-optimized profiles - different algorithms per route type
- Real-time calculation - instant path updates
Elevation Data
- SRTM and ASTER - high-resolution global elevation data
- Accurate climb calculations - precise ascent/descent metrics
- Profile visualization - interactive elevation charts
Data Format
- GeoJSON - standard geographic data format
- GPX compatibility - universal GPS exchange format
- Cloud storage - secure backup of all routes
Troubleshooting
Route Won't Calculate
- Check internet connection - routing requires online access
- Verify waypoint locations - must be on accessible paths
- Try different route type - some areas lack certain path types
- Reduce distance between waypoints - very long segments may timeout
Elevation Data Missing
- Elevation loads progressively - wait a few seconds after adding waypoints
- Some remote areas may lack detailed elevation data
- Refresh the page if data fails to load
Save Fails
- Verify login status - must be logged in to save
- Check route name - required field
- Stable internet required - ensure good connection
- Try again - temporary server issues may occur
SEO & Sharing
Making Routes Discoverable
Once public route sharing is enabled:
- Descriptive names - help others find your routes
- Detailed descriptions - include difficulty, highlights, season info
- Accurate tags - activity type, location, difficulty level
- Quality photos - add images to attract explorers
Route URLs
- Each saved route gets a unique URL
- Share routes directly with friends
- Embed routes on websites (coming soon)
Privacy & Data
Your Route Data
- Private by default - routes are visible only to you
- Full control - delete routes anytime
- Export anytime - download your data as GPX
- Account ownership - routes tied to your user profile
What We Store
- Route coordinates and path
- Name, description, and metadata
- Activity type and statistics
- Creation date and user association
What We Don't Store
- Real-time location during planning
- Personal device information
- Routes viewed but not saved
- Other users' private routes
Future Features
Coming soon to web route planning:
- Public route sharing - discover and share routes with the community
- Route photos - add images to waypoints
- Weather integration - forecast along route
- Traffic data - real-time conditions for driving routes
- Social features - follow users, save favorites
- Collaborative planning - plan with friends
- Print maps - PDF export for offline reference
Mobile App Integration
Enhanced Mobile Features
Use the mobile app for additional features:
- GPS navigation - turn-by-turn directions
- Offline maps - download areas for no-service use
- Live tracking - share real-time location
- Activity recording - track actual vs planned route
- Photos - capture moments along the route
- Social sharing - post to community
Download the App
- iOS: App Store
- Android: Google Play
Related Articles
- Recording Trails - Track your activities
- Exploring Trails - Find existing routes
- Download Offline Maps - Use routes without internet
- Profile Statistics - View your planning history
- GPX Import/Export - Work with GPS files
Get Started Today
Ready to plan your next adventure? Visit altotrails.com/explore and start creating custom routes for your outdoor activities. Whether you're planning a day hike, a cycling tour, or a multi-day trek, AltoTrails' web-based planning tool makes it easy to design the perfect route.
Happy Planning! 🗺️