Strava Has Finally Added Route Navigation to the Apple Watch.
Great news for Apple Watch runners: you can now follow Strava routes right from your wrist. Route navigation on Strava-compatible watches isn’t exactly a new feature, but it’s been inexplicably absent from Apple’s platform until now. In a Reddit post from the Strava development team, this news was welcomed by runners, cyclists, and hikers who’ve long wondered why their Apple Watch can’t do what Garmin and Coros devices have been offering for years.
What’s new in the Strava app for Apple Watch?
The key innovation is that users can now view maps directly on their Apple Watch during workouts, seeing both the direction they’re heading and the route they’ll take if they make a wrong turn. For subscribers, saved routes work offline and allow hands-free use, eliminating the need to pull out your phone to check your route during a run or ride.
To access routes directly on your watch, tap the “Route” icon and select the sport type you want to record. After selecting the saved route you want to follow, your workout will begin recording.
To access the map while recording your activity, simply swipe up on the watch face. On the map screen, you’ll see your real-time location and, if added, your saved route. To zoom in or move the map, tap the watch face to unlock interactive mode. To return to the stats screen, tap the back icon or use the scroll button on the watch.
In addition to route navigation, Strava has added two more training features:
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The Custom Laps feature lets you mark intervals with a single tap, which is useful for tempo runs, hill repeats, or comparing your results to previous runs.
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The Live Segments feature provides real-time feedback when you reach a tracked segment. Followers can see whether they are ahead or behind their personal best, while everyone receives real-time updates on their progress.
As always, you can also take advantage of route suggestions, which are based on Strava’s extensive activity database of real routes tested and preferred by real users.
Result
For Apple Watch users accustomed to bypassing Strava’s limitations, this update is simply wonderful. Less checking of your phone means more focus on the road, trail, or workout itself.
It may have taken longer than it should have, but Apple Watch users finally have access to the new features. Whether this is enough for those who have already migrated to other platforms remains to be seen, but for dedicated fans, it’s long overdue.