Suunto’s New Route Planner Is Free and Amazing.
It’s rare to see something like this: a sports tech company actually offers premium features for free. Suunto’s route planning tool lets you create and upload GPX files without even creating an account. No paid subscription, no trial period—just open the page and start planning. And the tool itself works perfectly.
What you can do with Suunto Routeplanner
This tool includes everything you’d expect from a paid service and more:
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Create routes using different types of maps (outdoor, satellite, and specialized maps for winter and avalanche terrain).
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Routing optimized for your activity (running, hiking, cycling, climbing, inline skating, and more) using real heatmap data from real athletes.
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Heat maps for about a dozen different sports, letting you see where people are actually going.
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Elevation profiles showing ascents and descents (extremely important to avoid being lost on unexpected climbs).
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Export routes as GPX files, compatible with virtually any GPS device.
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Generate shareable links (valid for six months) that allow you to send routes to friends without them having to create accounts.
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Ability to import and modify existing GPX or FIT files from other platforms.
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Additional account synchronization if you use Suunto or Hammerhead equipment.
You don’t even need to be part of the Suunto ecosystem to use this feature. I exported the map to my Garmin watch without any problems. If you have a Suunto or Hammerhead device, you can link your account, and the routes will sync automatically.
How to use the Suunto route planner
Go to routeplanner.suunto.com . Creating a route is quite simple there. If you allow the browser to share your location, the route will be centered on your location. Otherwise, simply find the place you want to start.
The controls on the right let you switch between map types. All the usual ones are here: terrain map, satellite map, light map, and dark map. But then comes the real fun: a winter map, an avalanche terrain map for backcountry hikes, and, as a sign of national pride, a special Finnish terrain map. Respect.
To actually connect the dots on the map, you have the following options:
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Free cutting (without automatic routing)
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Any road or trail (ideal for hiking).
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Suitable for all types of roads, avoiding hills (ideal for bicycles).
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Suitable for all types of roads (ideal for bicycles).
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Paved roads (ideal for road cycling)
Once you have created your route, you simply need to download the GPX file and upload it to any GPS device you have.
The ability to share links for six months is also a nice feature. You can plan a route for a group trip or run, send everyone the link, and they can access it without any hassle. It’s the kind of seamless information sharing that should be standard, but somehow isn’t.
Why you should try Suunto Routeplanner
Strava and Komoot have conditioned users to expect paid restrictions when planning routes. Of course, this could be a strategic move on Suunto’s part—giving away software for free in hopes of selling hardware. Or perhaps it’s simply a show of goodwill after years of user complaints about Suunto shutting down its Movescount tracking system. Either way, users win. You get a truly useful tool without spending money or giving out your email address.
If you’re already paying for route planning elsewhere, try this first. Worst-case scenario, you’ll waste five minutes. Best-case scenario, you’ll cancel your subscription and save money. Even if you’re not looking to save money, having another route planning option in your arsenal won’t hurt.