How far can you walk in thirty minutes from your vacation rental? MapPlanner's reachable zone, also known as an isochrone map, shades everything within reach on the map, by distance or by time.
It is not a circle drawn with a compass. The zone follows the trails, tracks and roads that actually exist: it stretches along a well-served valley and shrinks in front of a slope with no path. You see at a glance which summits, lakes or villages are realistic before you draw a single route.
Show a reachable zone on the map
- In the planner, pick your activity, then the reachable zone mode in the route options.
- Choose distance or time and pick a value.
- Click the map to set your start point.
- The zone is calculated and the map reframes around it.
Change the value and the zone is recalculated from the same start. Move the start and the zone follows. Once it is on screen, keep clicking the map: you are now drawing your route from that point, with the shaded area as a guide. If a route is already on the map when you switch to the reachable zone, MapPlanner offers to clear it, since the zone always starts from a fresh point.
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
An isochrone built for walking, running or cycling
The calculation uses the same engine as route drawing, so it follows the same logic for each activity. On foot, the zone follows paths and trails; by bike, ways you can ride.
Your route preferences apply too. When hiking, the option that favors paths over roads is on by default. Switch on waymarked trails and the zone leans on them, just as your route will afterwards.
When a reachable zone really helps
On vacation, a 10 km zone around your cottage reveals the peaks and lakes within reach; all that is left is to pick the one that tempts you. At lunchtime, a 30-minute zone shows which trails fit into the slot. On a bike, compare two distances to find a destination that is neither too close nor too far. With the kids, a 15-minute zone around the parking lot shows straight away what is within reach of little legs.
Reading the zone the right way
- The zone shows how far to go, not the way back. For an out-and-back, aim for half your time or distance.
- Put the start on a path or close to one. If no zone can be calculated from a point, MapPlanner asks you to pick another.
- Once your route is drawn, check its elevation-aware walking time: slope counts as much as distance.
- Prefer a ready-made circuit? The loop generator builds one from the same start.
No account to start, further with the Explorer plan
The reachable zone works without an account for a few calculations. A free account allows a few more. The Explorer plan makes it unlimited and adds longer distances and durations for bigger days out.
Curious about what is around you? Show your first reachable zone: one click on the map is all it takes.
Reachable zone FAQ
What is an isochrone?
It is every place you can reach from a start point within a given distance or time, following real ways. In MapPlanner it is shown in color right on the map.
Why is the zone not a circle?
Because it follows the path network. A well-served valley stretches it, steep ground with no trail cuts it short, which is exactly what makes it reliable on the ground.
Is the reachable zone free?
Yes. Visitors can calculate a few zones and a free account a few more. The Explorer plan makes it unlimited and unlocks longer values.
Which activities can I calculate a zone for?
All four planner activities: running, hiking, cycling and walking. The calculation follows the ways that suit each one.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes, in your phone's browser: tap the map to set the start and the zone appears just as on a computer.
