Walking route planner: map a walk with elevation and time

Set a start and waypoints on the topo map: the walking route follows the trails, and distance, elevation gain and walking time show up straight away. It is the GPX Path tool set for hiking, with a free GPX export and no account.

How to plan a walking route in 3 steps

1. Set the start
Search for a place in the field at the top of the panel, or pan the map, then click where you start: car park, station, mountain hut. On a phone, tap the map.
2. Add your waypoints
Each click adds a waypoint. The line reaches it from the previous one along the trails and paths on the map. Drag a point to fix the way; “Loop” takes the route back to the start.
3. Export the GPX
Read the distance, elevation gain and time in the panel, then “Export GPX”. The file downloads straight away, with elevation, no email address needed.

Distance, elevation gain and time: how they are worked out

The line is computed by BRouter, an open source routing engine that reads OpenStreetMap paths. Distance, elevation gain and time are then calculated in your browser, with the same engine as the GPX Path app for Mac.

Estimating walking time

Time counts 4.5 km/h on the flat, 1 h per 350 m of climbing and 1 h per 700 m of descent. The two are combined as in the Swiss Alpine Club method: the longer of the two, plus half the shorter one. It is walking time without breaks.

On the example below, 8.0 km and 537 m of climbing give 3 h 11 min of walking. Add your stops, and more margin on technical ground or with children.

Why elevation gain differs from one app to another

Elevations are averaged over 100 m, then a climb or a descent only counts once it exceeds 5 m. Without this smoothing, small variations in elevation models inflate the gain. A watch measures with its barometer and another app smooths differently: a gap of a few per cent is normal.

Example: Lac Blanc loop via the Chéserys lakes

Distance: 8.0 km
Elevation gain: 537 m
Elevation loss: 538 m
Walking time: 3 h 11 min

Loop drawn on OpenStreetMap (ODbL), from La Flégère above Chamonix. Values from the GPX Path engine.

Waymarked trails or the shortest path

In Hiking mode, the line takes the shortest path you can walk, mountain trails included. It does not try to follow a waymarked route: to stay on a long-distance trail, put your waypoints on it.

The “Straight line” mode joins two points with no path, for an off-trail section or a meadow crossing. Alt + click adds a single straight waypoint without changing mode. The IGN map, available in France, shows trails and relief as on a hiking map.

Send the route to your watch or app

The exported file is a GPX 1.1 with elevation: it loads into most watches and hiking apps.

Garmin: import the GPX into Garmin Connect as a course, then send it to the watch. Suunto: import it as a route in the Suunto app, which syncs it. Komoot: import the file from planning in the app or on the website. Apple Watch: use an app that reads GPX files.

Frequently asked questions

Is the walking route planner free?

Yes. It runs in your browser, with no account or email address, and the GPX export is immediate. There is no limit on the number of routes.

Does the route follow hiking trails?

Yes, it follows OpenStreetMap trails and paths, mountains included. It takes the shortest path you can walk: to follow a specific waymarked trail, put waypoints on it.

How is walking time worked out?

4.5 km/h on the flat, 1 h per 350 m of climbing, 1 h per 700 m of descent, combined as in the Swiss Alpine Club method. It is walking time without breaks, to adjust to your pace.

Can I plan a loop?

Yes. The “Loop” button joins the last waypoint back to the start along the trails. “Reverse” flips the direction, and distance, elevation gain and time follow.

Can I share my route?

“Copy link” gives an address that holds the waypoints: whoever opens it gets the same route, recalculated on the map. The exported GPX can also be sent in a message.