Bikepackia

Planning a route

Last verified

You can plan a route in Bikepackia in two ways. Click your start, end and any points in between on the map in the web planner, or describe the trip to Mec in plain language. Either way, a routing engine computes the path over OpenStreetMap data, and you can then split it into days, add stops and export it.

By hand on the map (web)

  1. Open the planner at bikepackia.com/planner. No account is needed.
  2. Set a start and an end, and add points in between to shape the route.
  3. Choose your bike setup. The route and its distance, climbing and elevation profile update as you edit.
  4. Split it into day stages, add stops, and export GPX.

With Mec

Describe the trip ("4 days from Lyon to Geneva, around 70 km a day") and Mec sets the start, end and stops, asks about anything unclear, and builds the route with you. Mec needs a free account and runs on credits. On Android, planning is done with Mec.

Bike setup

  • Bike types: Traditional, Hybrid, Road and Shared, plus an e-bike switch.
  • Road and e-bike change how the route is computed. Traditional, Hybrid and Shared currently use the same standard cycling profile.

Map layers and places

The web planner can show water points, food, groceries, places to stay, bike repair, bike rental, toilets, fuel stations, charging points and sights on the map. Place data comes from OpenStreetMap. In France it also includes official tourism listings, which are marked as verified.

Importing a GPX (web)

You can load an existing GPX track into the web planner. The track is used exactly as recorded, with the file's own elevation. It isn't re-routed or snapped to the road network, and imported tracks carry no turn instructions or surface data.

Not supported yet

  • Avoiding busy roads based on traffic data.
  • Ride heatmaps.
  • Enforcing a maximum gradient or a surface mix. Mec takes these preferences into account when it suggests options, but the routing engine doesn't enforce them.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an account to plan a route?

Not on the web. You can build, split and export a route without one. You need a free account to use Mec, to save or share routes, and to use the Android app.

Can I import a route I already have?

Yes, in the web planner. The GPX track is loaded as recorded, not re-routed, and you can then split it into stages and add stops.

Does Bikepackia support e-bikes?

Yes. Turn on the e-bike switch and the route is computed with an e-bike profile.