What is the difference between activity and network?
Updated 2026-10-05
A route has two separate settings that sound alike.
Activity, in the Overview section, says what you do on the
route. It sets the icon, the speed or pace behind the estimated duration, the calories, which
estimates are shown and the default markings. It never changes where the route goes.
Network, in the Routing section, says which paths the route
planner may use: walking or hiking paths, cycling or mountain-bike networks, roads. Changing it
plans the route again along that network, and the routing properties on offer follow it.
Why they are separate
Because the same path suits more than one sport. A trail run can be planned on the hiking network
and still count as a run, with a running pace and running calories. Skating has no network of its own,
so it plans on the biking network by default.
A recorded or imported track keeps its recorded path, so the network only matters once you plan or
edit the route.
