A new beta rollout allows runners and cyclists to follow maps directly from their wrists
Strava has begun rolling out a major functional upgrade to its Apple Watch app, finally introducing native route navigation and mapping.
Spotted in a beta release over the weekend by the Strava community over on Reddit, the feature appears to allow users to select a pre-loaded route from their Strava library and follow a visual track during an activity.
If so, it effectively fills one of the last major feature gaps between Strava’s watchOS experience and dedicated sports watches like those from Garmin or Suunto.
The update follows a significant UI overhaul of the Strava Apple Watch app in late 2025. Now, when starting a Walk, Run, or Ride, users can tap a new ‘Routes’ icon to see their saved courses.
Once an activity begins, a simple swipe reveals a dark-mode map with a bold route overlay, live location markers, and progress toward the finish line. Crucially, the feature also displays elevation details in real time, helping hikers and cyclists pace themselves for upcoming climbs.
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While currently labeled as a beta, users with Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 9, and even the SE 2 have all reported seeing the feature on their devices.
Early user reports highlight a few “beta” quirks—namely, higher battery consumption and a lack of turn-by-turn breadcrumb rerouting—but the ability to view a full map without digging an iPhone out of a jersey pocket is a massive win for the community.
The Wareable take
Strava has shown over the last 18 months or so that it’s no longer content to be just a social leaderboard; it wants to be your primary hub for the pre- and post-workout phase, too. With updates like this, it’s also becoming a much-improved during-session platform.
By integrating the mapping tech from their FATMAP acquisition, Strava is making a compelling case for Apple Watch owners to stay within their ecosystem for the entire journey.
We think this feature is likely to eventually move behind the Strava subscription paywall once it reaches a stable release, but we’re also hopeful that it’s a feature that makes it to the masses.
We’ll report back if we hear word from Strava folks about the full, official rollout.
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