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About
Gravelmap is an interactive mapping platform built for gravel cyclists, bikepacking enthusiasts, and outdoor explorers who want to discover and share off-road riding routes. The platform aggregates community-contributed gravel road maps, giving riders authentic, crowd-sourced knowledge about the best surfaces and trails in any area. Users can search for routes geographically — whether exploring their hometown or planning a ride in a new region — using the built-in location search and real-time map view. The 'Find My Location' feature lets the map follow your live GPS position, making in-ride navigation straightforward. Contributing to the platform is simple: registered users can add entirely new routes or import existing route files, continuously expanding the community's database. A voting system helps surface the highest-quality routes, while a Favorites feature lets individuals curate a personal collection of go-to rides. Account management is streamlined through social login (Google or Facebook) or a standard email/password signup, keeping friction low for new users. Personal dashboards display your contributed routes, favorites, and profile settings in one place. Gravelmap is ideal for weekend gravel grinders, multi-day bikepackers, and cycling clubs looking to pool local knowledge. Whether you're chasing new roads or documenting a beloved local loop, Gravelmap provides the community infrastructure to make every gravel adventure more discoverable. The platform is operated by the U.S. National Whitewater Center, Inc. and is free to use.
Key Features
- Interactive Route Map: Browse a live, interactive map of community-contributed gravel roads and biking routes across various regions.
- Location-Based Route Search: Search and filter gravel routes by geographic location to find rides near you or at any destination you're exploring.
- Community Route Contributions: Add new routes directly or import existing route files to grow the shared database of gravel roads for all users.
- Voting & Favorites: Vote on community-submitted routes to surface the best options, and save personal favorites for quick future reference.
- Live GPS Location Tracking: Enable real-time location following on the map so you can navigate gravel routes directly from your device while riding.
Use Cases
- Planning a gravel cycling adventure by discovering community-vetted routes in a specific region
- Sharing a newly found gravel road or trail with the broader cycling community by adding it to the map
- Saving and organizing favorite routes for repeat rides or future reference
- Navigating an unfamiliar gravel route in real time using the live GPS location tracking feature
- Researching the best-rated gravel roads near a travel destination before a cycling trip
Pros
- Completely Free: Gravelmap is free to join and use with no paywalls, making it accessible to all cyclists regardless of budget.
- Authentic Community Knowledge: Routes are contributed and voted on by real riders, providing trustworthy, firsthand local knowledge of gravel roads.
- Frictionless Sign-Up: One-click login via Google or Facebook makes account creation instant, with no lengthy registration forms required.
Cons
- Coverage Depends on Community Size: Route availability varies significantly by region — areas with fewer active contributors may have sparse or outdated data.
- No AI-Powered Route Recommendations: The platform relies entirely on human contributions rather than algorithmic or AI-generated route suggestions tailored to user preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gravelmap free to use?
Yes, Gravelmap is completely free to join and use. You can create an account via Google, Facebook, or a standard email and password at no cost.
How do I find gravel routes near me?
Use the 'Find My Location' button to center the map on your current position, or use the Map Search and Browse by Location features to discover routes in any area.
Can I add my own routes to Gravelmap?
Yes. Registered users can add new routes manually or import existing route files, helping to expand the community database for other cyclists.
What types of riders is Gravelmap designed for?
Gravelmap is designed for gravel cyclists, bikepacking enthusiasts, and anyone who loves exploring unpaved roads — from casual weekend riders to dedicated long-distance adventurers.
Who runs Gravelmap?
Gravelmap is operated by the U.S. National Whitewater Center, Inc., a well-established outdoor adventure and recreation organization.
