Strava's watchOS app is testing full route navigation, letting runners, hikers, and cyclists follow pre-loaded paths directly from their wrist. The beta feature, spotted over the weekend, provides elevation details and turn-by-turn directions without needing an iPhone, addressing a long-standing gap for outdoor athletes on Apple Watch.

This move follows Strava's 2025 integration with Apple Fitness+ for workout sharing. True on-device navigation is a more practical upgrade, offering freedom from phones on trails and roads. It positions Strava to better compete with built-in Apple Maps navigation for outdoor activities.

The feature is currently available to both free and paying users, but its final tier remains uncertain. With Strava yet to comment, the beta's rollout will be watched closely by the fitness community, which has long requested this core functionality for the platform's most dedicated users.