Alternatives to Google Maps for Cyclists

When you're planning a bike ride, Google Maps, a general-purpose navigation tool designed for cars and pedestrians. Also known as online route planner, it often ignores bike lanes, steep hills, and surface conditions that make or break a ride. That’s why thousands of UK cyclists turn to tools built just for two wheels—tools that know the difference between a quiet country lane and a busy A-road with no shoulder.

One major alternative is Komoot, a route-planning app designed by cyclists for cyclists, with detailed terrain profiles and surface type indicators. Also known as outdoor adventure planner, it lets you find gravel paths, off-road trails, and even hidden bridleways that Google Maps misses. Then there’s Cycle.travel, a free, ad-free platform that builds long-distance cycling routes using official cycle networks like National Cycle Network routes in the UK. Also known as bike route generator, it’s the go-to for riders planning multi-day trips across England and Scotland. For real-time navigation, OsmAnd, an open-source app that uses OpenStreetMap data and works offline. Also known as offline cycling map, it’s perfect for remote rides where phone signals vanish.

These tools don’t just show you a line on a map—they tell you what to expect. You’ll see climb gradients before you start, avoid busy roundabouts, and find rest stops with water and toilets. They use data from real riders, not just government road databases. A route on Komoot might show you a 12% hill you’d never guess from Google Maps, or a quiet lane that cuts 5 miles off your ride. That’s the difference between guessing and knowing.

And it’s not just about routes. Many of these apps let you save rides you’ve done, rate surfaces, and even report potholes or broken signs so others stay safe. In the UK, where weather changes fast and road conditions vary wildly from village to village, that kind of crowd-sourced intel is worth more than any premium subscription.

Whether you’re commuting in Manchester, tackling the Pennine Way on two wheels, or just trying to find a peaceful loop near your home, the right tool makes all the difference. You won’t get lost. You won’t end up on a highway. You’ll actually enjoy the ride.

Below, you’ll find real guides and firsthand experiences from cyclists who’ve tested these tools on long rides, rough terrain, and rainy mornings. No fluff. No ads. Just what works.