GPS Route Tracking: Map Every Walk and Run with Steply
Step counting tells you how much you moved. GPS route tracking tells you where, how fast, and at what intensity. Together, they give you a complete picture of every walk or run — turning a casual stroll into a rich data-driven workout.
What GPS Tracking Records
When you start a GPS session in Steply, your iPhone's GPS chip begins logging your exact position multiple times per second. From this raw location data, the app calculates your route, distance, pace, and elevation changes in real-time.
Route Map
Live & saved
See your exact path drawn on a map in real-time. Every saved route stays in your history forever.
Pace
Min per km/mile
Track your current pace and average pace for the session. Great for pacing yourself on longer walks.
Elevation
Meters gained
Elevation data shows how hilly your route is and how much extra effort your uphill stretches required.
Reading Your Route Data
After finishing a GPS session, Steply shows you a detailed summary: total distance, average pace, elevation gain, duration, and calories burned. The route map is color-coded by pace — darker sections show where you slowed down, lighter sections show your fastest stretches.
Key Metrics to Focus On
- ✓Average pace: aim to improve this gradually over weeks, not days
- ✓Elevation gain: more elevation = more calories and cardiovascular effort
- ✓Total distance: set weekly distance goals alongside step goals
- ✓Weather data: compare your performance on warm vs. cold days
Weather Integration
Steply automatically records weather conditions at the time of each GPS session — temperature, humidity, wind, and conditions. This lets you compare your performance across different weather types and understand how conditions affect your pace and effort level.
How Weather Affects Your Walk or Run
- •Heat & humidity: increases perceived effort, slows pace, increases heart rate
- •Cold weather: body works harder to maintain temperature, burns more calories
- •Wind resistance: a headwind can increase effort by 10-15%
- •Rain: reduces traction, affects footing and pace
Battery and GPS Accuracy
GPS tracking uses significantly more battery than passive step counting — typically 5-10% per hour depending on your iPhone model. Steply optimizes GPS polling frequency to balance accuracy with battery life. For most walks under 2 hours, battery drain is minimal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- ✓GPS tracking captures route, pace, distance, elevation, and weather in a single session
- ✓Color-coded pace maps reveal exactly where you slowed down on each route
- ✓Weather data lets you understand how conditions affect your performance over time
- ✓GPS battery usage is 5-10% per hour — manageable for most walks under 2 hours
- ✓Saved routes let you compare your performance on the same path across different days
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