Mile eight, your bottle is empty and the next village is still a long way off. You can plan for that moment from home: the MapPlanner planner finds the points of interest along your route, from water points and mountain huts to summits and viewpoints, so you know before you leave where to refill, where to shelter and where to stop for the photo.
Points of interest suggested along your route
Once your route is drawn on the MapPlanner or Outdoor map, open the planning tools above the map and run the POI suggestions. MapPlanner looks right next to the route for viewpoints, water points, mountain huts, shelters, campsites, summits and passes, then shows them straight on the map.
The search covers the part of the route visible on screen, so zoom in close enough on the area you care about before running it. Then tap a marker and Add to turn it into a stop on your route. If you change the route, run the search again to refresh the suggestions.
Plan your own route
MapPlanner helps you calculate distances, elevation, duration and plan your hikes, runs and bike rides on an interactive map.
- Automatic distance & elevation calculation
- Topographic, satellite maps
- GPX/KML export for your GPS
- Real-time GPS tracking
Bring huts, passes and parking to the fore
Sometimes you are not after what lines the route but everything the area has to offer. In the Properties menu, the highlight option makes one or more categories of places stand out on the map: mountain huts, shelters, passes, parking, viewpoints, water points, summits and campsites. The map zooms so they become visible. This option is available on the MapPlanner and Outdoor maps.
It is the right tool for choosing a start near a parking lot or building a loop around a hut. For access and weather, see also our guide to getting ready for a hike.
Your own geotagged photos on the map
A viewpoint you loved, a spring that appears on no map: add them yourself. From the Edit menu, choose to add an image, then tap the map where it belongs. A title or a photo is enough; the description is optional.
Then you choose who sees it. Shared with everyone, the photo shows by default for other users planning a route in the area. Kept to this route only, it stays with your outing. In this mode, zooming in also reveals photos shared by other members. Public route pages bring together community reviews and photos too.
Without an account, your photos are kept in your browser until you save the route, which takes a free account. When you save, photos that contain GPS coordinates drop onto the map by themselves.
What each kind of outing gains
Hikers add water points and huts as stops to time their breaks. Trail runners count the water points and decide between one soft flask and two. Cyclists bring out the passes and summits to see the hard parts, then the parking lots to know where to leave the car. For a walk, the viewpoints in the area are often enough to choose between two loops.
Our tips for well-placed stops
- On a long route, search one section at a time: zoom in on the first half, then on the second.
- Add water points as stops so you can see how far from the start each one is.
- A water point on the map is not always drinkable or flowing in late summer: carry a margin.
- Share with everyone the photos that help others, such as a spring or a shelter; keep personal memories to your route.
Free for the essentials, unlimited with the Explorer plan
Highlighting places and adding photos are free. POI suggestions along the route are limited for visitors and a little more generous with a free account. A search that finds nothing is not counted. The Explorer plan makes them unlimited.
Your next outing deserves more than a line on a map. Draw it in the planner and let MapPlanner show you what lies along the way.
Points of interest: frequently asked questions
Are POI suggestions free?
Yes, within a limit for visitors and a more generous one with a free account. The Explorer plan makes suggestions unlimited. Highlighting places and adding photos stay free.
Which kinds of points of interest are suggested?
Viewpoints, water points, mountain huts, shelters, campsites, summits and passes close to the route.
How do I find parking near the start?
Bring out parking lots with the highlight option in the Properties menu. The route's PDF roadbook also lists the parking lots near the start.
How do I get more suggestions along my route?
Zoom in on the area you want, on the MapPlanner or Outdoor map, then run the search again: it covers the part of the route visible on screen.
Can I add photos from my phone?
Yes. Adding an image works in your smartphone's browser: tap the map at the right spot and attach your photo.
