Best cycling route planning tools
When it comes to cycling, choosing the right route can make all the difference. A good route should be safe, scenic, and challenging. As a cyclist you want to know the gradient, the uphill, or if is a popular cycling route.
Fortunately, there are many excellent tools available to help us plan the perfect cycling route. In this article, we explore some of the best cycling route planning tools available today.
Strava
Strava is a popular social networking and tracking app for cyclist, runners and swimmers, but it also has a useful route planning tool. When you use Strava's route planner, you can search for routes near you or create your own route from scratch. Strava's route planner includes features such as elevation data and the ability to avoid certain roads or areas. You can also use Strava's route planner to find routes that have been created and ridden by other Strava users, which can be a great way to discover new and interesting cycling routes.
Price:
CHF5.33 /mo if you pay annually
Komoot
Komoot is a comprehensive outdoor navigation and route planning app that is specifically designed for cycling and other outdoor activities. When you use Komoot's route planner, you can search for routes based on factors such as distance, elevation, and surface type, and you can also customize your route to avoid certain roads or include specific waypoints. Komoot's route planner also includes features such as offline maps and turn-by-turn navigation, making it a great tool for cycling in areas with spotty cell coverage.
Price:
Maps access depending on size the size of the region is € 3.99 - € 29.99 per month
Multi-day route planner is € 4.99 /month
Ride With GPS
Ride With GPS is a powerful cycling-specific route planning and navigation app that is popular among cyclists. When you use Ride With GPS's route planner, you can search for routes based on factors such as distance, elevation, and surface type, and you can also customize your route to avoid certain roads or include specific waypoints. Ride With GPS's route planner also includes features such as offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and the ability to export your route to a GPS device or a paper map.
Price:
Simple tools for planning routes and recording rides is FREE
Navigating, downloading routes and sharing rides is $7.99 / Month
Their premium package for planning high quality routes and managing your ride data in detail or in bulk is $9.99 / Month
Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the most popular and widely-used mapping services in the world, and it is also a great tool for cycling route planning. When you search for directions on Google Maps, you can choose to use the "bicycle" mode, which will show you the best cycling route between two points. Google Maps takes into account factors such as bike lanes, bike trails, and road quality, and it also allows you to customize your route to avoid busy roads or include scenic routes.
Price:
Google is FREE and but is a limited solution specially if you want to use it for trails.
In conclusion, there are many excellent cycling route planning tools available, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Depending on how often you need it or the features you need, we hope this guide will help you find the one that better fits you.