Know before you go brings together several route-planning insights. It is designed to help you understand the route beyond its basic distance and difficulty rating.
Find Know before you go
- Open the route you want to explore.
- Scroll to Know before you go.
- Review the available insight cards before starting or downloading the route.
Elevation profile
The elevation profile shows how the height of the route changes from start to finish. Use it to identify sustained climbs, descents and high points.
Learn how to read route elevation and elevation profiles.
Steepest section
This shows the highest estimated gradient found along the route. The accompanying average climb figure summarises the average gradient across ascending sections.
Learn how to understand gradient and steepness.
Elevation gain
Elevation gain is the combined amount of ascent across the route. It counts repeated climbing rather than simply subtracting the start height from the finish height.
Read more about elevation gain.
Path & surface
This section summarises the most common mapped path and ground-surface categories. Switch between Path type and Surface to see their percentage and approximate distance.
Learn how to read path and surface information.
Mobile signal
The mobile connectivity card estimates how much of the route may be within range of reported 4G or 5G cells. Treat it as a planning guide rather than guaranteed reception.
Learn how mobile signal estimates work.
Along the way
Where available, Go Guide lists mapped landmarks and places located along or near the route. Tap a place to open its information.
Weather and temperature
Check the route weather and optional temperature markers alongside the other route insights. Conditions can change quickly, particularly on high or exposed ground.
Explore the map in more detail
Open the route map to display additional planning information, change the map style or preview the terrain in 3D.
Use the information together
No single figure describes an entire route. Consider distance, elevation, gradient, path type, surface, weather, mobile signal and your own experience together.
For example, a relatively short route may still be demanding if it includes steep gradients, unpaved ground and exposed high points.