Completely free, no account required!?!

It seems rare in 2026 (or whenever in this decade) that a new web platform is launched that allows you to create routes, save those routes as files, and more…all without paying for it. Or, especially, without creating a single account. But here we are – with Suunto’s Routeplanner launched in December. I’ve been playing with it since launch, and it’s actually pretty darn cool.

It effectively gives you the essential functionality of Strava Routes & Komoot Routes, but for free. And of course, if you have a Suunto or Hammerhead device, you can link your account, and it will magically stream to those devices. But for everyone else, you can simply save and export the routes as a GPX file, then import them into your watch or bike computer.

In short, the website does all of the following without creating an account:

A) Create new routes using different map types
B) Can develop running/hiking routes/pedestrian activities or cycling activities (using that heat map data)
C) It can see heatmap data for about a dozen sports
D) Can see altitude profile, and climb/descent metrics
E) Can save/export routes as GPX files
F) Can share routes as URL (for others to download), valid for 6 months
G) Can open existing routes (GPX/FIT files)
H) Can change existing GPX/FIT file paths
I) Can save any of the above to your Suunto account with automatic device sync (optional)

I’m sure I’m missing some small relevant features, but that’s the gist of it, which is a great idea. But, as noted, I just want to run fast or stuff. Also note that this does not remove the existing toolset from the dedicated Suunto App, although that is for the actual users/owners of the Suunto device. However, this is highly dependent on the backend infrastructure, which they share.

Creating a Route:

So, getting started is easy, just navigate to boom – the map is there, ready to wrap your creation. Note that if you allow your browser tab to see your current location, it will focus on your location. However, that is not necessary. On the right are two options to allow you to control the image of the map. The first controls the map itself, including the layers for: Outdoor (seen below), Satellite (seen next), Light, Dark, Winter, Avalanche Terrain, and Finland Terrain. Yes, there is a dedicated Finland map option. Maybe Greenland is also considering requesting a Greenland Map option that can hide the area.

In any case, the second option goes from 2D (shown above) to 3D (shown below), and the third option allows you to change the heatmaps of all the games you see below. You can also adjust the level of transparency. For nearly a decade, one of the best features of Suunto platforms/apps has been heat maps. Specifically, it’s a per game option, and especially a pool option. In a place like Mallorca (shown below), it’s not that important. But in many areas that may have open water swimming restrictions (eg, the greater Washington DC area), seeing where people swim regularly is very helpful.

Finally, in front of the options, below you have a route preference:

Okay, with that set, let’s create a route. In my case, we’ll go with trail running, but I’ve created road runs, trail runs, road rides, and more with no problems.

To do so, I just start tapping. It’s not that hard. Tap-tap-tap, and it goes out, creating a path. Like all other routers in the world. Below, you can expand the chart to show the height profile (and see benefits/distances/etc…). Now in this case, I left the heat map open (defined by the route), and I follow a route that I know well (most recently done back in the month or so).

Of course, it also supports free drawing mode, in case you need some rotation, or the route is not what you want. For example, pretend I want to go scratch here to stretch my legs and regret my life decision (thankfully, there are no deadly snakes in Mallorca to worry about – not so in Australia). I would simply change the Free Draw option, and connect the two points directly. After that, I can go back to ‘Any road or path’, and get back on track.

When I was done, I found this nice 17KM route, complete with elevation profile and everything. In fact, about the only complaint I would have here is that the thin blue line can be hard to see when compared to the heat map. Sure, I could reduce the heatmap a bit, but I’d like to make the route line thicker/more visible.

You can always reverse the points, and redraw the points to add distance/change, and route back (two options on the bottom right). The options at the bottom left search for an area, place a map within it, and zoom the map to fit the rest of your route.

Now comes the good part, which is the options at the bottom right. This is for exporting/saving a route, and importing a route. Oh, and that little settings icon? It allows you to switch to about 20 languages, switch from metric to legal, and convert between 15 or more different GPS grid formats. In any case, let’s save this route (again, we haven’t created any account here yet). Just tap the ‘bottom’ icon, and that will save it as a GPX file, which you can name whatever you want.

And with that, you are ready to use it on any device you want. It’s that simple, just a GPX file.

However, perhaps even cooler is that you can also create a shared link, which lasts for 6 months. People can’t change the route, but you can quickly share it with friends/teams/groups/etc…

Here’s that route link, if you want to look things up. What’s neat is that it even stores your settings (route using heat maps, satellite view, etc…) inside the link properties. Nice touch!

The last two options here are:

1) Linking your Suunto account, saving it directly to your Suunto profile/devices
2) GPX/FIT file is uploaded for viewing/sharing/editing.

For me the great thing about linking a Suunto account is that it’s like going full Suunto. Back then, Suunto Movescount was first a website, then ‘The Suunto App’, and Movescount was even integrated/sort of integrated with SportsTracker for a while, before Suunto ditched the website and went full app. I think they’ve realized that most people, especially route planners, prefer the big desktop experience. I know I do. Sure, I can make the routes fine on my phone. But for long/complicated routes, having a bigger screen and such makes a better experience.

Finally, for those looking for a little more geekery, Suunto actually has a number of little easter eggs in there. Notably, you can create links to just certain points, to show someone something. For example, here is a link to the site of the Ironman World Championships in Kona (Hawaii), powered by a triathlon heat map, and zoom/angle/map available to show most of the entire course. That is very good.

In addition, here are all the parameters you can pass to the URL currently/today, if you want:

The last one is noteworthy, it allows you to automatically create a route from the user’s starting point, to a specific destination. Similar to providing a route starting point/meeting point, then people can save/sync that to start (eg, group ride). It’s very cool. Here’s an example using the ferry terminal in Barcelona as an example (where you would take the ferry to see me in Mallorca).

Finish:

I could get out all day with this kind of stuff. No account required, no payment, create fun routes with tons of options (both practical and geeky). But perhaps most notable for Suunto customers, is the slow return of features they lost half a decade or so ago. Features that some of their competitors do not have, that Suunto may tempt new customers.

Simply put, this is incredibly useful for people who don’t want to pay for a route on Strava or Komoot. I will have no problems using this to quickly create routes with this on almost any GPS device (since almost all of them support importing with GPX files, well, save the Apple Watch). I’d like to see someone like Wahoo do a little integration with Suunto by letting them push routes from this to Wahoo devices. Sure, Suunto already has a partnership with Hammerhead for routing data – but one and not three? Plus, Wahoo has stopped making watches (years ago), so they’re not really competitors anymore. Anyway, food for thought.

With that – thanks for reading!

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