I’ve been using Strava Premium for a while now, and one of the features I rely on the most is the Strava Route Builder. It has become an essential tool whenever I want to explore new areas or even redesign familiar routes.

Heatmaps: Global and Personal

One of my favorite features is the Global Heatmap. If a road glows brightly on the heatmap, chances are it’s a popular and scenic route worth trying.

I also use my Personal Heatmap, especially in combination with the global one. This shows me where I’ve been before and, more importantly, where I haven’t explored yet. That’s often the perfect inspiration to try something new.

Route Customization

When building a route, Strava lets me pick between the most popular path or the flattest option. If I prefer, I can draw the route completely freehand.

Strava also indicates the type of surface (asphalt or gravel). If the system isn’t sure, it clearly states that. For me, the most valuable feature is the elevation profile — it quickly shows how many climbs I’ll be facing.

Map Layers and Navigation

Strava offers different map layers, and I usually use the Hybrid view, which combines satellite imagery with place names. I do wish it included more detailed labels for smaller towns and local points of interest — that would make orientation even easier.

Another useful feature is the estimated ride time. Strava bases this on your past activities and average pace. In my experience, estimates are fairly accurate for flat routes but tend to underestimate time on hilly or mountainous terrain.

Once a route is created, it’s easy to export it as a GPX (or another format) and upload it to a Garmin, bike computer, or smartphone app. There’s also a 3D route view, though I personally find the classic 2D map clearer and more practical.

Adding Google Street View

One thing I often missed in the Route Builder was the ability to quickly check what a road actually looks like. Sometimes it’s hard to tell on the map which road Strava is routing me onto.

That’s why I regularly compared Strava with Google Maps and Street View. The downside: switching back and forth is time-consuming.

To solve this, I use a simple browser extension that integrates Google Street View directly into Strava. When zoomed in close enough, I can instantly check road conditions and see what it really looks like in real life. This has been a game-changer for planning routes more confidently.

Final Thoughts

Among all the route-planning alternatives I’ve tried, this one is still my favorite. I use it not only when exploring unknown terrain but also for familiar areas whenever I want a fresh idea.

Unfortunately, it’s only available with a paid membership, but I still recommend it to other users.

Published: 2025-09-15 Chanel: My Workout Companion