What is Nstride
Nstride is a trail running and hiking route research project that analyzes terrain, elevation, and difficulty for over 100,000 routes and races worldwide. Whether you're training for an ultra marathon, exploring new trail running destinations, or planning a hiking adventure, Nstride provides data-driven insights to help you prepare with confidence.
Every route is processed through algorithms that identify climbs, descents, and flat sections based on elevation data. Nstride calculates difficulty scores, runnable percentages, longest climbs, elevation gain per mile, and terrain character. This analysis transforms raw GPX files into actionable intelligence that helps you understand what to expect before you hit the trail.
Built for trail runners but valuable for hikers, Nstride covers races from 5K to 200+ miles and training routes across diverse terrain. From local trails to iconic ultra marathons, each route includes interactive elevation profiles, terrain breakdowns, and personalized pacing recommendations.
Route Intelligence Explained
Route intelligence refers to the detailed terrain analysis Nstride provides for each route. This includes smart section breakdowns that identify meaningful terrain segments, climb and descent analysis with grade percentages and vertical gain, runnable percentage estimates that predict how much of a route can be run versus hiked, and difficulty scoring relative to routes of similar distances.
Premium features include personalized race prep sheets with section-by-section pacing strategy, terrain-specific tactical advice based on your pacing profile, interactive elevation profiles with color-coded terrain character, and detailed mile-by-mile breakdowns. These tools help you move beyond simply knowing the distance and elevation gain to understanding the tactical character of the terrain.
Popular Trail Running Destinations
Browse Routes by Distance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nstride?
Nstride is a route and race intelligence platform for trail runners and hikers. We analyze terrain, elevation, and difficulty for over 100,000 routes worldwide, providing detailed course breakdowns, pacing advice, and tactical insights.
Is Nstride free to use?
Yes, Nstride offers free access to route discovery, elevation profiles, terrain stats, and basic route information. Premium features include personalized race prep sheets and detailed section-by-section pacing advice.
How does Nstride analyze routes?
Routes are processed through algorithms that identify climbs, descents, and flat sections based on elevation data. We calculate difficulty scores, runnable percentages, longest climbs, elevation gain per mile, grade percentages, and terrain character.
Can hikers use Nstride?
Absolutely. The terrain analysis, elevation profiles, and difficulty ratings are equally valuable for hikers planning trail adventures as they are to trail runners. Routes with singletrack, dirt, and gravel surfaces are popular among both trail runners and hikers.
What types of races does Nstride cover?
Nstride includes trail running races from 5K to 200+ miles: ultras (50K, 50 mile, 100K, 100 mile), marathons, half marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks. We also include training routes and point-to-point courses.
How do I find trail running routes near me?
Use the interactive map on the homepage to explore routes by location, or browse by state and distance using our route directory. You can filter by distance categories and view routes sorted by popularity.
What is a route prep sheet?
A route prep sheet is a downloadable, personalized one-page plan for any given route with section-by-section pacing strategy, terrain-specific tactical advice, weather considerations, and some equipment & personalization options.
Does Nstride work for training runs?
Yes. Nstride analyzes both race courses and training routes. You can explore routes by difficulty and terrain type to find training runs that match your race preparation needs.
What does runnable percentage mean?
Runnable percentage estimates how much of a route can be run at a normal running effort versus sections requiring hiking or power hiking due to steep grades. This helps set realistic pacing expectations.
How are difficulty scores calculated?
Difficulty scores consider distance, elevation gain, elevation gain per mile, longest single climb, maximum grade, terrain surface, and runnable percentage. Scores are relative to routes of similar distances.
Can I upload my own routes?
Yes, you can upload GPX files to analyze your own routes. Nstride will process the elevation data and generate terrain intelligence, sections, and pacing recommendations.
What states have the most trail running routes?
California, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Arizona, North Carolina, and Vermont have extensive trail running communities and large collections of analyzed routes on Nstride.