Safe, gravel or max-climb: choosing your route profile
Two cyclists can request a route between the same points and get two completely different itineraries. The reason? The route profile. It's the planner's most important setting, and the most overlooked. Here's how to choose it well.
In the VéloCore planner, each profile applies its own logic: avoid traffic, seek fast tarmac, prefer paths, or on the contrary pile on the elevation. Let's run through them.
Safe
The default choice for most rides. It favors quiet roads, cycle paths and greenways, even if it means a slightly longer route. Ideal for daily trips, family outings and anyone who wants to avoid major roads.
Fast & Sporty
For eating up the kilometers on tarmac. These profiles seek the most direct, rolling route, perfect for road training, time efforts and racing.
Touring & Flat
The sweet spot for leisure rides. "Touring" balances comfort and quiet to enjoy the scenery; "Flat" limits elevation, valuable for long distances, loaded bikes or legs just getting started.
Gravel & Forest & trails
The playground of gravel and MTB. These profiles favor rideable tracks, paths and singletrack over the road. To go further, read our complete gravel route guide.
E-bike optimized
Designed for electric-assist bikes: it accounts for terrain and realistic distances with assistance, so you don't run out of battery 5 km from home.
Max climbing
The opposite of the "Flat" profile: it seeks out hills. For climbers and anyone who wants to turn a ride into an elevation session.
The golden rule: profile first, tweaks after
Always pick the profile before drawing: it drives the whole calculation. Then fine-tune by dragging the line to force a specific passage, and keep an eye on the distance and elevation shown. In a few seconds, you go from a generic itinerary to your ideal ride.
Try the profiles live
Switch profile and watch the route redraw instantly. Free, no install.
Open the planner