Strava expands hiking tools with better maps, route planning, more

Strava improved on its hiking toolset today with new route-planning, navigation, and sharing tools, including a welcome addition to its Apple Watch app. Here are the details.

Strava adds welcome features for hikers

Strava was updated today to version 467.0.0 with new features aimed at hikers, following a year in which hiking clubs grew 5.8× on the platform.

According to the company, today’s update adds new features for both free users and subscribers, though tools like advanced route planning and offline navigation are reserved for paying members.

When it comes to planning, Route Discovery lets users check popular hiking trails in their area, similar to the app’s running and walking routes. Likewise, Route Builder lets users plan custom hikes with distance and elevation information.

During hikes, users can now rely on off-route alerts, downloadable routes for offline hiking, and route-following on the Apple Watch, eliminating the need for a phone. The app also now includes live elevation data, in addition to a full-screen record map “accessible through 1 tap.”

Strava 467.0.0 also improves on sharing features for hikers, with sticker stats, support for hiking-focused clubs, and cinematic 3D aerial animations of the completed route. The update also introduces activity replays for paying subscribers.

According to Strava, “most features are available now,” except for Map Style Improvements, which will roll out later this summer with richer surface data, and points of interest.

To learn more about today’s update, follow this link.

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