Whether you’re an avid road runner, a keen trail explorer or somewhat of a hybrid athlete, finding new routes is always a treat. But, sometimes, it can be a bit of a challenge to find nice places to run, especially if you have specific preferences regarding things like scenery, elevation terrain and more.
Nowadays, there are plenty of apps that are designed to help runners find new routes. Whether you’re looking to go running while travelling in unfamiliar environments or just want to explore your home turf a little more, these apps are great for expanding your horizons.
With a variety of different features and functions on hand, these apps provide runners, both experienced and novice, with a quick, easy and convenient way to check out new routes based on whatever specific characteristics are most important to them. For instance, someone training for a big race may be looking for a route with significant inclines while a runner who’s more into the trail scene would probably prefer to find the most scenic routes in the area.
Well, the good news is that with these apps, you can find the best running routes to suit your specific preferences.
Top 7 Route Plotting Apps for Runners
Here are seven of the best route plotting apps for runners.
All Trails
Founded in 2010 in San Francisco by Russell Cook, is a top-rated app for outdoor activities, including trail running. It features an extensive database of trails worldwide, with detailed descriptions, difficulty ratings and user reviews.
Founded in 2010 in San Francisco by Russell Cook, the app’s route plotting function allows runners to search for trails based on location, length and terrain type. AllTrails Pro users can download offline maps and receive real-time route alerts to stay on track.
The app is particularly useful for trail runners seeking scenic or challenging routes. With its global reach and user-generated route library, AllTrails is a go-to platform for outdoor adventures.
Strava
Strava was founded in 2009 by Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath in San Francisco and has become one of the most popular fitness tracking apps all over the world. It’s probably most widely known for its use in recording activities, but it actually also has a fabulous route plotting feature.
Its route plotting feature allows users to create and follow custom running routes using heatmaps and popular segments. The app analyses past user data to suggest optimal routes based on distance, elevation and popularity.
Strava’s Route Builder uses OpenStreetMap data to offer detailed navigation. The app also integrates GPS tracking with community features which allows runners to compare performances. With its premium subscription, users gain access to more advanced route planning and performance analytics.
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Komoot
Komoot was founded in 2010 in Potsdam, Germany, by Markus Hallermann, Jonas Spengler and Philipp Misselwitz. Originally designed for outdoor enthusiasts, it’s become a leading app for route planning and navigation.
Komoot’s route plotting tool allows runners to create detailed routes based on terrain type, difficulty and surface quality. It also provides turn-by-turn voice navigation and offline maps, making it ideal for trail running and long-distance routes.
The app’s unique “Tour” feature enables users to discover recommended routes shared by the community. The app’s intelligent planning system adapts routes based on real-time conditions and personal fitness levels.
Plot A Route
Plot A Route is a UK-based route planning platform designed for runners, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts. Launched in 2014, the app offers an interactive mapping tool that allows users to create precise routes using satellite imagery, terrain data and elevation charts.
The app includes an auto-routing function that suggests the best paths based on preferred surfaces and fitness levels. Users can also explore a vast library of public routes shared by the community.
The premium version enables turn-by-turn navigation and GPX file exports for use with fitness watches and GPS devices, making it a valuable tool for route planning.
Garmin Connect
Garmin Connect is the proprietary fitness tracking app by Garmin Ltd., an American-Swiss company founded in 1989. The app integrates seamlessly with Garmin’s GPS-enabled running watches and devices, offering advanced route plotting and performance analysis. This feature has proven to be especially useful in recent years, as most competitive (and even social runners) use at least some sort of running watch to track activities.
Users can create custom running routes using the built-in course planner, which suggests paths based on distance, elevation and surface type. The app allows runners to sync routes directly to their Garmin devices for real-time navigation.
Garmin Connect also supports heatmaps, showing popular routes used by other runners. With its integration into the broader Garmin ecosystem, it provides detailed insights into pace, heart rate and effort, all of which are really useful for training.
Footpath
Footpath was developed by Half Mile Labs in the United States and launched in 2014. The app is designed specifically for runners, cyclists and hikers who want a simple yet powerful way to plan routes.
The app allows users to draw routes freehand on a map, which Footpath then snaps to the closest roads or trails. It supports detailed elevation profiles and distance calculations, making it ideal for planning runs with specific difficulty levels.
Footpath’s premium version offers turn-by-turn voice navigation and offline maps. The app is especially popular among trail runners due to its intuitive manual plotting feature.
MapMyRun
MapMyRun is a well-known running app that specialises in route tracking and planning. Launched in 2007 by Robin Thurston and later acquired by Under Armour in 2013, the app’s “Route Genius” feature allows runners to generate custom routes based on desired distance and starting location.
The app provides access to millions of user-created routes, helping runners find new paths in their area. MapMyRun integrates with GPS devices and smartwatches for real-time tracking. It also includes elevation tracking and terrain insights. As part of the Under Armour Connected Fitness suite, it syncs with MyFitnessPal and other health apps for a holistic fitness experience.