{{ :manual:user_guide:ic_path_add_new_alt.png?nolink|}}
====== Route Planning ======

----
===== About routes =====

**Routes** are strings of routepoints along which user is **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation|navigated]]** during his activity - hiking, biking etc. 

**Routes** are **pre-planned, drawn on a map, or imported** and put into navigation devices so that we can travel along their lines. **Tracks** that were recorded by you or someone else **can be turned into routes** when we need to navigate them.

**Routes** can be drawn **manually on the map** or **automatically** by a **[[manual:faq:how_to_navigate_offline:|router]]**. **Locus Map** provides several methods of creating routes:
  * **Route planner** - a tool for manual and automatic drawing of routes with routing service assistance
  * **Changing tracks to routes** - using tracks as routes for navigation
===== Route planner =====

==== How to start it ====

The planner can be started in several ways:

  * <wrap box>Menu > Route planner</wrap>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan14.jpg |}}
  * <wrap box>Menu > Tracks > **+** > Route planner</wrap>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan15.jpg |}}
  * <wrap box>add function to the [[:manual:user_guide:functions:panel|Function panel]] for quick launch</wrap>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan16.jpg |}}
  * <wrap box>**[[manual:user_guide:webplanner:planning|Web route planner]]**</wrap> - you can plan routes also on a **[[https://web.locusmap.app|website]]** and then **[[manual:user_guide:sync|sync]]** it with your app
==== Route planner screen ====

{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan.jpg |}}
  - **Drawing mode selector** - select among various routing modes, or the manual mode. The currently active mode is indicated on the button.
  - **add/remove route shaping points**
  - **back/forward** - move along planning process steps
  - **[[manual:user_guide:mainscr_lpanel|content panel]]** - slides out a panel with a selection of maps and other layers
  - **centering** - centers the screen on your current GPS location
  - **zooming** - zooms the map in or out (buttons can be hidden in route menu > settings)
  - **basic stats** - length, estimated time, elevation gain/loss
  - **graph tab switch** opens the elevation chart and surface/way type graphs:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan2.jpg |}}
  - **itinerary** - dynamic list of shaping or via points on the route
The **top bar** - contains the **Save/Navigate** button and the **Route menu**.
==== Route line ====
The route line consists of segments rendered between shaping points and via points inserted on the map screen.
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan20.jpg |}}
  * {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:shapept.png?nolink&20|}} **shaping point** - basic point building the route, can be changed into **via point**.
  * {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:auxpt.png?nolink&20|}} **segment point** - forms on the line between shaping points. Changes to a new shaping point when shifted. Indicates the activity for which the route segment was planned. Tapping it opens the option to recalculate the segment in a different profile.
  * {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:viapt.png?nolink&20|}} **via point** - place through which you want to go during navigation. Its name is announced by voice navigation when you navigate the route.

When a **routing mode** is on, the line between points runs **along roads and paths**. If you choose to draw **manually**, the line is **straight between points**, unrelated to roads. You can use **various routing profiles** or manual segments between each point of the route according to your needs.
===== Drawing instructions =====

==== Add shaping points ====
The route is built with **shaping points** {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:shapept.png?nolink&20|}} added on map:
  * by **tapping** {{:manual:user_guide:ic_point_add_alt.png?30|}} (points are added on the **cursor position**)
  * by **tapping directly on the map** (this option can be turned off in the route planner menu)
The route line, rendered between shaping points, also contains **segment points** {{:manual:user_guide:tracks:auxpt.png?nolink&20|}}. Both shaping and segment points can be **moved on the map** and the route is **immediately re-rendered** accordingly. You change a segment point into a shaping point, creating new segment points in between.
<WRAP center round important>
**NEVER place the shaping points on intersections!** The router must know the direction **after the turn** to add the proper navigation command. Locus Map marks the wrongly placed shaping points by a red circle:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan43.jpg?nolink |}} 
</WRAP>
==== Select routing profile ====

If you use the route planner for the first time, it will draw the route line in the walking profile. If you want to **change it**:
  * tap the routing profile button to **open the selection** 
  * **select** another routing profile:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan3.gif?nolink |}}

=== Whole route or the next route segment? ===
This can be easily switched ON or OFF at the bottom of the routing profile list:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan77.jpg?nolink |}}
<WRAP center round tip>
Example:

  * **OFF**: You want to plan a hiking trip and you want to get to the trailhead by car. Start planning the route in the car profile. When you get to the trailhead, switch to the hiking profile. The first part remains routed for the car, and you go on with hiking. When you get back to the place where you left your car, switch to the car profile to design the route back home.
  * **ON**: You are designing a biking trip. You plan the first version in the "bike touring" profile but you don't like it - it follows too many tarmac roads. You switch to the "gravel" profile and the entire route is replanned with higher priority for gravel roads.
</WRAP>


==== Routing mode ====

    * {{:manual:user_guide:ic_type_cycle_alt.png?nolink&30}}, {{:manual:user_guide:ic_type_tourist_alt.png?nolink&30|}}, {{:manual:user_guide:ic_type_car_alt.png?nolink&30|}} etc. - the route line between shaping points is calculated by a **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:settings#router|router]]**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan5.jpg |}}\\ 
    * the **progress of the route** depends on selected **profile** - car or bike routes run along roads, MTB or walking routes along paths etc.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan60.jpg?nolink |}} Each profile has **additional parameters** that influence the route progress - terrain difficulty, ferries, steps, cycle paths preference, wet conditions... To **customize** the parameters, **long-press the route profile button** and adjust what you need:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan57.gif?nolink |}}
<WRAP center round tip>
**Geek alert!**

You can also place the **additional parameters** button directly on the screen. The long-press on the main button then triggers the manual mode:
</WRAP>
  * check the option **Quick profile parameters** in [[planning#settings|route planner settings]]\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan73.jpg?nolink |}}
  * **custom parameters** button is on the planner screen:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan74.jpg?nolink |}}
=== Customized ETA ===
All **walking and cycling profiles** provide an option to customize the way the app calculates your **estimated time on the route**. All except the road cycling profile base the calculation upon your **average speed on flat ground**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan66.jpg |}}
Road cyclists define their **power in Watts**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan67.jpg |}}
=== Include navigation commands ===

When checked, Locus creates also direction commands related to the new route which can be used for voice turn-by-turn navigation.
=== Router selection ===

The router profiles are provided by the selected **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:settings#router|router]]**. To **change the router**, tap the top bar of the profile selection and choose:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan58.jpg?nolink |}}

**[[manual:faq:how_to_navigate_offline|More about routers, routing profiles and their parameters >>]]**
==== Manual mode ====
=== What is it good for? ===
  * useful in places not covered by routing data - when you need to **go off-road** and off-path (to cross a stream without a bridge or make a shortcut across a meadow...)
  * useful for **simple distance and [[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#measuring_area|area measurement]]**

=== How does it work? ===
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan61.jpg?nolink |}}
    * {{:manual:user_guide:ic_path_add_new_alt.png?nolink&30|}} - only plain line stretches between shaping points:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan4.jpg |}}

<WRAP round tip>Manual mode can be **quickly switched on** when you **long-press the drawing mode button** when the [[planning#quick_profile_parameters|profile parameters button is on screen]]. Or, you can set a [[planning#long_tap_on|long-press action for the route point adding button]].</WRAP>
<WRAP round important>By default, the manually drawn parts are **ignored by the router when you re-calculate** the whole route. You can change this in the [[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#keep_manual_segments|route planner settings]].</WRAP> 
==== Alternative routes ====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan71.jpg |}}
LoRouter Offline and GraphHopper routers also provide **alternatives for planned route segments**. Whereas GraphHopper always provides alternatives, it's necessary to turn this option on for LoRouter offline in settings > navigation > router:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan70.jpg |}}

===== Via points =====
Via points are places you want to go through when **navigating the route** - the voice navigation will notify you of them and in case of route recalculation the via points are not detoured.

Via points can be created out of **shaping points, LoPoints, your own user points or by defining new points individually**. 

==== Change to a via point ====
  * tap a shaping point on the map or itinerary and select **Change to** from the bottom panel:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan6.jpg |}}
  * tap the **via point** button
  * **rename** the via point (optional) and confirm. Via point in the planner:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan7.jpg |}}
  * after saving the route the via point is **marked by an icon**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan8.jpg |}}

<WRAP center round info>
  * By moving a via point on the map in the route planner it **changes back to a shaping point**.
  * You can set **[[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#via_points_as_default|adding via points as the default]]** instead of the shaping points in the route planner settings.
</WRAP>

==== Add LoPoints ====
[[manual:user_guide:points:about#lomaps_points_of_interest|LoPoints]] can be added to your route too:
  * tap a LoPoint on map
  * select where to put it in the route - at the start, end or inside:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan9.jpg |}}
  * when you select to add the LoPoint at the end:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan10.jpg |}}
  * when you select to add it inside the route:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan11.jpg |}}

==== Add your own points ====
Your own interesting places or downloaded geocaches can be added to your route: 
  * display your selected **points on map** (Menu > Points > select whole folder or individual points)
  * add them to your route **the same way as LoPoints** (see above):\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan12.jpg |}}

==== Undo, re-do, remove points ====
  * to **remove last added shaping point**, tap {{:manual:user_guide:ic_point_remove_alt.png?nolink&30|}}
  * to **reverse all edits** (adding points, moving them), tap **back button**(see above, 3) 
  * to **repeat reversed steps**, tap **forward button**(see above, 3)
===== Itinerary =====
Shaping and via points are listed in the itinerary. Here you can perform several actions with them:
  * **change their order** by dragging the left part of the list:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan50.gif |}}
  * **change their location** with the [[manual:user_guide:tools:location|location selector]]:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan48.jpg?nolink |}}
  * **add via points** to the itinerary:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan51.jpg?nolink |}}\\ By tapping such a newly added point you can set its location by the [[manual:user_guide:tools:location|location selector]] - by an address, coordinates, projection, etc.
  * **delete** route points
  * display **route segment** details with the option for recalculation in a different profile:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan51.gif?nolink |}}

===== No-go points =====
If you know a place on the route you can not go through but which is not reflected by the map or routing data - e.g. temporary roadblock, wood harvesting in the forest, flooded area, etc., **tell the route planner to avoid it**.
  * shift the cursor on the spot you want to block and select **Add no-go** from the route menu:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan32.jpg |}}
  * if necessary, set the **means of transport** the no-go area is valid for, the area **radius** (25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 m) and **time of validity** (tap the no-go area on map):\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan34.jpg |}}
  * route planner makes **detours** around the no-go areas:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan35.jpg |}}
  * to **delete** a no-go area, tap the **...** menu:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan42.jpg?nolink |}} 
  * the route **without detours**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan33.jpg |}}
===== Warnings =====
<wrap info>Available with [[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:settings#lorouter_online|LoRouter]] only</wrap>\\ 
Route planner marks **potentially dangerous places** on the route (challenging terrain, heavy traffic, barriers, tunnels, unprotected railway crossings, and so on). They are specific for each routing profile, e.g. cobblestones are marked as a "demanding surface" when using a road bike profile. If a warning concerns entire sections of the route, e.g., challenging surfaces or heavy road traffic, it also has a **zonal variant**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:warn03.jpg?nolink |}}\\ Warnings are displayed on the route on the map. During navigation along the route, the symbols also appear under the main navigation window:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:warn04.jpg?nolink |}}\\ If you tap on any warning symbol on the map, a **list of all warnings** on the route opens, sorted by distance. The length is also displayed for zonal sections. By tapping, you center the selected place or section on the map.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:warn05.jpg?nolink |}}
Warnings are also accessible from the **route menu**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:warn06.jpg?nolink |}}
<WRAP center round tip>
  * If you are an adventurous type and you don't need any warnings, you can **[[manual:user_guide:settings:points_tracks#route_warnings|turn them off in the app settings >>]]**
  * **[[manual:faq:how_to_navigate_offline#warnings:|More about warnings >>]]**
</WRAP>

===== Route recalculations =====
==== Segments ====
If you changed your mind and you want to **use a different activity** for a part of the planned route, OR the automatically drawn segment doesn't suit your purposes, you can have it **recalculated**:
  * tap the selected **segment point** on the map or in the itinerary
  * tap **recalculate** and select another activity
  * **confirm**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan40.gif?nolink |}}

==== Recalculate all ====
You can also recalculate the whole planned route for a different activity:
  * plan or open a route in the planner
  * open the drawing mode selector and **choose a new routing profile**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan41.gif?nolink |}} 

If you just want to **customize the routing profile for the whole route**:
  * plan or open a route in the planner
  * open the drawing mode selector and tap **customize** in the submenu of the selected profile
  * change the desired parameters
  * tap **recalculate all**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan75.gif?nolink |}}
===== Automatic round trip =====
<wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium Gold]]**</wrap>

Locus Map can automatically create your round trip based on the defined **distance** and **direction**.
  * place the **starting point** on the map and tap **Suggest a new round trip** in the route menu\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan45.jpg |}}
  * select **activity** or means of transport (service is provided by GraphHopper only)\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan46.gif |}}
  * set **direction and distance**\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan47.jpg |}}
  * tap **GENERATE**\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan56.jpg?nolink |}}
===== Reverse route direction =====
This command quickly **reverses the whole route** and recalculates its stats - elevation gain, ETA, etc.
===== Stats, charts, weather and estimated travel time =====
  * **quick check the distance, estimated time on the route, and the elevation gain** - see the bottom bar. The ETT is just an approximation.
  * **elevation chart** - <wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium]]**</wrap> slides up when you tap the chart button:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan2.jpg |}}\\ Tap the chart to see the position on the route on the map.
  * **way types and surfaces** - <wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium Gold]]**</wrap> further help to fine-tune your route. They are displayed only when LoRouter is set up. Detailed progress of way types along the route is under the **?** button:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan63.jpg?nolink |}}\\ Also the surfaces are ordered in a detailed list:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan64.jpg?nolink |}}\\ <WRAP center round tip>
**The chart dynamically changes according to your route edits** (adding points, moving them...)
</WRAP>

  * check **more details about the route** - Route menu > Route detail:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan18.jpg |}}
  * **Tools**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan19.jpg |}}
  * **[[manual:user_guide:functions:weather|Weather]]** - forecast for the route for 16 days ahead
  * **Compute area** - area covered by the route 
  * **Estimated travel time**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan21.jpg |}}\\ Detailed time prediction. You can select the route **activity** - 3 types of walk, 9 types of bike and 3 of cross-country skiing.
\\ {{  :manual:user_guide:tracks:trtime02.jpg  }}\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan22.jpg |}}\\ <WRAP center round tip>
The ETT is calculated from a combination of various parameters. These include distance, elevation profile, estimated speed, estimated elevation gain/loss per hour or a certain amount of break time specific for particular activities.
</WRAP>
===== Instant navigation/guidance =====
You can start [[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:along-route|navigation along the planned route]] or [[manual:user_guide:functions:guidance#guidance_along_a_route|guidance]] right from the route planner:
  * open **route menu**
  * tap **Navigation/guidance**\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan23.jpg |}}
  * select the option you need and set additional parameters:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan65.jpg?nolink |}}
===== Share planned route =====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan62.jpg?nolink |}}
You can quickly share a URL of the planned unsaved route. The shared data contains only shaping points, waypoints and the routing profile and the resulting route is generated on [[https://web.locusmap.app|web.locusmap.app]].
===== Save route =====
When you are done with all edits, **save your route!**
  * tap the saving button in the topbar:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan24.jpg |}}
  * route saving dialog opens:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan25.jpg |}}
  * add **name** of the route (optional - Locus usually inserts names of the route start/end places automatically)
  * add **description** (optional)
  * set **activity** - good for overall statistics
  * select **folder** - tell Locus Map where to store the route
  * set **style** - color, thickness, pattern... Usually, it is not necessary, the folder style is pre-selected.
  * tap **SAVE**

If you are dissatisfied with your planning or for whatever reason you want to abort all planning, tap **Clear planner** in the route menu:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan26.jpg |}}
<WRAP center round important>
**"Clear planner" does NOT erase No-go areas.** These are kept active even out of route planner, e.g. for navigation. To delete them, tap each no-go area and delete them individually.
</WRAP>

===== Settings =====
Route menu contains a **submenu of setting options**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan27.jpg |}}
==== Line style ====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan31.jpg |}}
Here you can set the color, width, pattern and other graphical aspects of the route line:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan36.jpg |}}
<WRAP center round tip>
To **avoid too steep hills** you can set route color to dynamic slope style <wrap info>Available only with **[[https://www.locusmap.app/premium|Premium]]**</wrap> and define an unacceptable range of the slope angle, i.e. 10%-30%. Locus will highlight such places for you:</WRAP>
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan37.jpg |}}\\ so you can re-plan the route:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan38.jpg |}}

==== Retaining unsaved plan ====
By default, route planner **retains your unsaved plan** and **offers to continue your work on it when restarted**:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan39.jpg |}}\\ If you want a **new route plan** each time you use the planner, **uncheck the option**.
==== Quick drawing ====
To **turn off adding shaping points by tapping the map screen**, uncheck this option.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan28.jpg |}}
==== Measuring area ====
{{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan29.jpg |}}
Do you want to measure the area of your property? Check this option in the menu (or long-press the distance box in the bottom bar), Locus will color the area on the map and display the area value in the bottom bar:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan30.jpg |}}\\ <WRAP tip round>You can quickly switch between line and area measurement by tapping the length value in the bottom bar:</WRAP>\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:length-to-area.gif?nolink |}}<WRAP important round>**Measuring areas works correctly only when convex areas are drawn manually!**</WRAP>

==== Long tap on + ====
Here you can define the action after long-pressing the **+** button for adding points:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan54.jpg?nolink |}}
==== Via points as default ====
When this option is checked, the route is created from **[[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#via_points:|viapoints]]** only:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan53.jpg?nolink |}}
==== Allow edit of navigation points ====
With this option checked, you can add points with navigation commands or change shaping/via points into them:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan55.jpg?nolink |}}
==== Keep manual segments ====
When turned on (default) the [[manual:user_guide:tracks:planning#manual_mode|manually entered segments]] are excluded from the route recalculation.
==== Zoom buttons ====
If you don't need them on the route planner screen, turn them off (you can still zoom in/out by pinching or double-tapping/shifting).
==== Show magnifier ====
A convenient tool, especially for those with weaker eyes, the magnifier always emerges when you move any part of the route.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan76.jpg?nolink |}} 
<WRAP center round important>
This setting turns the magnifier on/off also in the **[[manual:user_guide:tracks:editing#edits|track editor]]**.
</WRAP>
==== Quick profile parameters ====
This option places the [[planning#routing_mode|custom parameters button]] on the planner screen.\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:tracks:rteplan74.jpg?nolink |}}
===== Using tracks as routes =====
Tracks can be turned into routes when they are intended for navigation or guidance:
  * select a track in **My library** or tap it on the map
  * select **Navigate** or **Guide On** or **Guide On reverse**
  * **[[manual:user_guide:functions:navigation:along-route|more about navigation along a route >>]]**
  * **[[manual:user_guide:functions:guidance#guidance_along_a_route|more about guidance along a route >>]]**

===== Web planner =====
Visit [[https://web.locusmap.app|web.locusmap.app]] or **[[manual:user_guide:webplanner:planning|read more info >>]]**