Use the Strava Heatmap to Find New Running, Cycling or Swimming Spots
Strava’s heatmap is nothing new, but it wasn’t until recently that I actually looked at it. This interactive tool shows you where Strava users are running, cycling, swimming, kayaking, skiing, and snowshoeing – and you can split those activities by viewing the map. Looking for hidden swimming spots? Check out which high schools have tracks open to the public? The heatmap will inform you about this.
You don’t need to use Strava to view a heatmap, but you do need a free Strava account to zoom to street level.
Privacy Notice
Heatmap data comes from routes tracked by Strava users. So, if you’re using Strava yourself, this is your reminder that you probably want to use the privacy zone feature to exclude your home or any other areas you don’t want to track.
Find safe routes
I live in a hilly area where many roads are congested and there are no sidewalks. I mostly stick to familiar neighborhoods and park paths because I know it’s safe to run or cycle through them. But the heatmap gives me a way to figure out which roads I can try and which are most likely not as safe.
For example, one of the main roads in my area appears dark on the heat map – a good indication that there is no curb on which to cycle or jog. (After driving this road, it is true.) But looking for bright spots, I see several clusters of roads and paths that are worth looking out for. There is a cemetery with many trails popular with joggers, for example, and a few small neighborhoods that seem like little jogging oases between busy roads.
Find new routes
Many parks, schools and other areas have little-known trails on their territory that you might not know about if you weren’t there. However, with a heatmap, I can easily see that several popular park paths are surrounded by strong wavy lines that extend into the forest. You will sometimes also see route signs around the location, offering the opportunity to drive a few miles towards a track workout by jogging on the surrounding roads.
Browse the map to find options, then visit the parks websites or signs posted in the area for more information on what the trails are and how to follow them .
Look for ovals
Secondary schools often have treadmills open to local residents; the same can be said for some high schools, community centers, and other places that you may not have known about. Set heatmap filters on the little shoe icon (which shows running, walking, and hiking) and look for ovals. When you find it, use the Labels layer to find out the name of the school or place. Switch the layer to cycling and you can even find multiple bike paths.
As before, check the opening hours and policies on the institution’s website, or look for signs posted in the area. The heatmap gives you hints, not permissions.
Find pools and pools
There is also a layer with a water icon, which is useful for finding places where people usually swim or do other water sports. One large public pool has multiple horizontal lanes that cut across the pool, representing the lane arrangement for the lane. (I was there, this is exactly where the circular paths go.)
You can also use this feature to find the most popular beaches for swimming, and if you are inland you can use it to find small lakes or ponds where people like to swim.
Just keep in mind that the water icon is for swimming and other water sports like kayaking and kayaking. One local lake glowed brightly on a heat map, but I know it is forbidden to swim here and I have never seen anyone doing it. However, it is very popular with kayaking enthusiasts, and there are two boat rentals right on the lakeside. So it’s a good idea to cross-reference a local business; if you were looking for a place to take your kayak or surfboard with you, their presence would be a good hint.
Find skiing or snowshoeing spots
There is also a layer of snowflakes showing the trails people enjoy doing winter sports such as skiing and snowshoeing. Again, the heatmap doesn’t differentiate between the two, so do your own research to see if you’ve actually discovered the secret cross-country ski trail. (I also noticed a few activities that must have been misclassified, such as a route on a swim / water layer that is definitely located on roads.) But looking at the map can give you an idea of where to start looking as you plan your next adventure.