Cycling Route Planner with Automatic Hill and Gradient Avoidance

mobile app real project •• multiple requests

Cyclists want to input a destination and get routes that automatically avoid steep grades above a threshold. Every major cycling app requires manual route drawing and hill-checking. Forum threads show users sharing multi-app workarounds (OSMAnd + BRouter + elevation overlays) to achieve what should be a single feature. E-bike riders and older cyclists especially need this.

builder note

Don't build a full cycling app. Build a route planner that does ONE thing: point A to point B with a max gradient slider. Export GPX files that users load into their existing tracking app (Strava, Garmin). BRouter's open-source routing engine already handles the hard math. The moat is UX simplicity and good mobile offline maps.

landscape (4 existing solutions)

The cycling app space has mature tracking and decent elevation visualization, but zero apps offer automatic gradient-constrained routing in an accessible interface. OSMAnd+BRouter proves it's technically feasible but the UX is developer-grade. The opportunity is wrapping BRouter-style gradient routing in a consumer-friendly mobile app.

Komoot Surface-aware routing and good elevation profiles, but no maximum gradient filter. Cannot auto-generate a route that avoids hills above X%. Also cannot plan routes offline.

Strava Great for tracking and analysis but route PLANNING is weak. Mobile app cannot edit/splice routes. No gradient-based routing parameters at all.

OSMAnd + BRouter Closest to the need with 'Less Hilly' presets and BRouter plugin for gradient-aware routing. But requires installing two apps, configuring routing profiles, and understanding OpenStreetMap data. Not accessible to casual cyclists.

Ride with GPS Excellent elevation data and route building tools, but no automatic gradient avoidance. Users must manually check elevation charts and drag waypoints around hills.

sources (2)

other https://forums.electricbikereview.com/threads/apps-for-cycli... "No one really actually does this well" 2025-11-01

other https://www.hikingmanual.com/posts/best-apps-to-avoid-hills-... "combine accurate elevation profiles, gradient filters, and reliable offline maps" 2026-02-01

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