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Strava Apple Watch App Gains Route Navigation in Beta

Strava appears to be rolling out full route navigation and mapping to its watchOS app, bringing the long-awaited functionality to runners, hikers, and cyclists with Apple Watch for the first time.

apple watch strava
The feature, which remains in beta, allows users to select a pre-loaded route, view elevation details, and follow directions directly from their wrist without having to look at their iPhone. Strava users on Reddit noted the feature began appearing over the weekend.

Since this time last year, Strava users have been able to share an Apple Fitness+ workout directly to the Strava app, but the ability to get turn-by-turn directions on an outdoor walk/run or bike ride feels like more of a game-changer for users of the fitness service.

Both paying and non-paying Strava users currently seem to have access to the beta feature, but it's unclear whether it will be reserved for paying subscribers when finalized. Strava has yet to officially comment on the rollout.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Tag: Strava
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

fenderbass146 Avatar
7 weeks ago
Nice, when I MTB I typicalyl don't have a head unit. This will be useful...now if only Apple would allow me to use the bluetooth on my Apple Watch as a sensor for my other devices, (Garmin for example) it be the nearly perfect fitness watch while also being the best smart watch. I HATE having to wear a heart rate monitor when I have a perfectly good one on my wrist 24/7
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 weeks ago
For anyone interested, similar options are also available with Komoot and WorkOutDoors to an extent. Would recommend for those fancying an alternative
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 weeks ago
I wish AllTrails would offer hike navigation directly in a watch app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Piplodocus Avatar
7 weeks ago

Nice, when I MTB I typicalyl don't have a head unit. This will be useful...now if only Apple would allow me to use the bluetooth on my Apple Watch as a sensor for my other devices, it be the nearly perfect fitness watch while also being the best smart watch. I HATE having to wear a heart rate monitor when I have a perfectly good one on my wrist 24/7
Exactly. I use a Garmin Edge 830. Routes/activities from/to it all sync to Garmin Connect, Strava and Komoot. But even though I'm always wearing my Apple Watch there's no heart rate data for any of it unless I wear a chest strap. Very annoying. So a few of the most "serious" activities I get heart rate when I bother to put that on, and the least serious like the little unplanned lunch time pedal round the block I just did because I used my watch as I don't have my Garmin. But the large majority of bike rides don't. If the watch could either transmit ANT+ heart rate so I could use it as a sensor for the Edge, or if it could sync the full Garmin data to strava while getting the matching heart rate back from apple health, it would be much more convenient.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 weeks ago

Not as of 6 hours ago (as per the App Store)! I did not even realise the timings, oops!
Woohoo! That's it I'm dropping everything and going for a ride.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7 weeks ago
Will this include guidance on trails etc? UK here so no decent Apple Watch options for guidance equivalent to OS maps as far as I can tell
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)