Strava Map Highlights: Creation, Best Practices, and Troubleshooting

How to make a map highlight on Strava?

Creating a map highlight on Strava allows you to visually emphasize specific, noteworthy sections of your recorded activities, making your achievements and memorable moments stand out to your followers and for personal reflection.

Understanding Strava Map Highlights

Strava is a powerful platform for tracking and analyzing athletic performance, and its visual features are key to its appeal. A "map highlight" is a specific functionality that enables users to select a portion of their recorded activity on the map and make it visually distinct. This is particularly useful for drawing attention to personal records (PRs), challenging segments, scenic routes, or any part of an activity that holds special significance.

Why utilize map highlights?

• Performance Visualization: Clearly mark where you achieved a personal best, a King/Queen of the Mountain (KOM/QOM), or a significant effort.
• Storytelling: Help observers understand the narrative of your activity, highlighting the most exciting or demanding sections.
• Memory & Motivation: Create visual bookmarks of memorable moments or challenging climbs, serving as a powerful motivational tool for future endeavors.
• Route Planning & Sharing: While not a route builder, highlights can subtly showcase interesting parts of routes for others to consider.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Map Highlight

The functionality for creating map highlights is primarily available through the Strava website, offering more precise control over the selection process.

Step 1: Access Your Activity on Strava.com

• Log in to your Strava account using a web browser (desktop or laptop is recommended for ease of use).
• Navigate to the specific activity you wish to highlight. You can do this by going to your "Dashboard" and clicking on the activity, or by finding it under "My Activities" in your profile.

Step 2: Locate the Highlight Feature

• Once on the activity page, look for the map of your activity.
• Below the map, or sometimes within the options associated with the map, you should see a button or link labeled "Highlight" or an icon that looks like a pencil or editing tool. Click this to activate the highlighting tool.

Step 3: Select the Segment to Highlight

• Upon activating the highlight tool, your activity's route on the map will display two draggable markers (often circular or square handles) at the beginning and end of the route.
• Drag these markers along the activity line to precisely select the start and end points of the section you want to highlight. As you drag, the selected portion of the route will change color, indicating the highlight.
• Take your time to accurately select the segment. You can zoom in on the map for greater precision if needed, especially for short, critical sections.

Step 4: Save Your Highlight

• Once you are satisfied with your selection, look for a "Save Highlight" or "Done" button. Click this to apply the highlight to your activity.
• The highlighted section will now appear in a distinct color (often orange) on your activity map for anyone viewing your activity.

Best Practices for Effective Highlights

To maximize the impact and utility of your map highlights, consider these expert tips:

• Focus on Significance: Only highlight sections that genuinely represent a notable achievement, a particularly challenging segment, or a uniquely scenic portion of your route. Over-highlighting can dilute the impact.
• Be Precise: Utilize the zoom function on the map to ensure your highlight accurately captures the intended segment, especially for short, intense efforts.
• Complement with Descriptions: While the highlight is visual, a brief, descriptive note in your activity's title or description can provide context. For example, "PR on Smith Hill Climb highlighted!"
• Review Before Saving: Always take a moment to review your selected highlight before saving to ensure it accurately reflects what you intended to emphasize.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While creating a map highlight is generally straightforward, users may occasionally encounter minor issues:

• Highlight Not Appearing: Ensure you clicked the "Save Highlight" or "Done" button. If it still doesn't appear, try refreshing the page or clearing your browser's cache.
• Difficulty Selecting Precise Segments: Zooming in on the map provides finer control over the drag handles. For very short segments, careful manipulation is key.
• Feature Not Found: Confirm you are using the Strava website, not the mobile app, for creating map highlights. The mobile app primarily allows viewing and creating "Highlight Reels" (photo-based summaries).

The Role of Visuals in Fitness Motivation

From an exercise science perspective, the ability to visualize progress and achievements plays a critical role in sustained motivation and adherence to a fitness regimen. Map highlights on Strava serve as powerful visual cues, transforming raw data into a tangible representation of effort and success. This psychological reinforcement can:

• Enhance Self-Efficacy: Seeing a highlighted PR reinforces your capability and encourages belief in your ability to achieve future goals.
• Provide Positive Reinforcement: The distinct visual of a highlight acts as a reward, associating positive feelings with challenging efforts.
• Facilitate Goal Setting: Reviewing past highlights can inspire new challenges, whether it's beating a previous time on a highlighted segment or exploring new, equally challenging routes.

By effectively utilizing features like map highlights, athletes can not only track their training but also cultivate a more engaging and motivating relationship with their fitness journey.