Following hot on the release of Strava’s Routes tool, Garmin has announced it is introducing a new Connect Courses API that will enable the automatic syncing of Strava Routes to compatible Garmin devices, such as the Edge 830 and Edge 520.
Strava Routes, which launched earlier this year, offers personalised route recommendations based on user preferences for location, distance and surface type.
Previously, you would have to access created or starred routes via the Strava Routes ConnectIQ app, but this latest release streamlines the whole process significantly, allowing direct integration from Strava to Garmin navigation.
Garmin has said that this feature will be available to all Strava users, not just Summit subscribers.
Though you’ll still require a Strava Summit membership (Strava’s premium subscription tier) to create personalised routes, this new Garmin Sync feature makes it possible to star your friend’s ride routes and automatically sync them with your device if you’re feeling inspired (or want to try and steal a few KOM/QOMs).
How it works
Once you’ve given Strava and Garmin permission to share data, which can be done in the settings page on the Garmin Connect app, and needs to be done once only, it all happens in the background.
The next time you sync your Garmin device, your created and starred Routes will automatically populate on the Courses page under Navigation.
Garmin told us another benefit is that this also means the routes now run natively on Garmin’s navigation system, as opposed to Strava’s (as was previously the case).
This means you’ll get access to all of the Garmin-specific navigation features that otherwise wouldn’t be available.
Garmin has also said this new API will work in a similar manner with other third-party apps including Komoot, which also previously required the use of a separate ConnectIQ app.
