Strava introduces bew features for hikers and outdoor users

Strava has announced a set of new and updated hiking features aimed at helping users discover trails, navigate routes, and share outdoor experiences with others.

The update covers different parts of the hiking experience, including route planning, real-time navigation, and social sharing. According to Strava, hiking has become more social on the platform, with its Year In Sport report showing a 5.8-times increase in hiking clubs in 2025.

For planning trips, Strava is introducing improved maps that will display more trail surface details and points of interest such as trailheads, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Subscribers will also get access to Route Discovery, which recommends popular trails based on activity data, as well as Route Builder for creating custom routes with distance, elevation, and surface information. A new Route Saves feature will also allow subscribers to save routes directly within the app.

For navigation, Strava is adding Off-Route Alerts that notify users when they leave their planned path. Other features include Route Following on Apple Watch, Smart Watch Route Sync for compatible devices, Offline Routes, a fullscreen recording map, and Live Elevation tracking.

The update also adds new sharing tools. Users can now view activities through a 3D Activity Map, while subscribers can use Activity Replays and Flyover animations to showcase completed hikes. Sticker stats and hiking-focused Clubs are also available for sharing routes, challenges, and achievements with the community.

Most of the new features are available now, while the updated map styles are scheduled to roll out later this summer.