See Before You Go
Planning a route is one thing, but knowing what you'll actually encounter along the way is another. That's why we've introduced the Location Explorer - a powerful new feature that combines street-level photography with Wikipedia's vast knowledge base to help you explore any location in detail before you arrive.
Street-Level Preview with Real Photos
The Location Explorer integrates with Mapillary's global database of street-level imagery to show you what locations actually look like. Simply right-click anywhere on your route and select "View Photos & Wikipedia" to open the explorer.
Smart Direction Matching
What makes this especially useful for route planning is the intelligent direction filtering. Photos are automatically filtered to match your route direction, so you see what you'll actually encounter while traveling - not random photos facing the wrong way.
Global Coverage
Whether you're cycling through European cities or hiking remote trails, the Mapillary database provides extensive coverage with millions of street-level images contributed by users worldwide.
Local Knowledge Through Wikipedia
Alongside street photos, the Location Explorer taps into Wikipedia's geosearch to find relevant articles about nearby locations. This gives you instant access to:
- Historical context about landmarks and places
- Cultural significance of locations you'll pass
- Detailed descriptions of attractions and points of interest
- Background information to enrich your journey
Seamless Integration
The Location Explorer fits naturally into your planning workflow:
- Right-click anywhere on your route
- Select "View Photos & Wikipedia"
- Browse photos and articles in the clean sidebar interface
- See both photo (P) and Wikipedia (W) markers on your map simultaneously
- Use the crosshair button to explore new locations
Smart Search Expansion
If the initial search returns few results, both tabs offer a "Search Wider Area" option to extend the radius to 500 meters, ensuring you don't miss interesting nearby content.
Perfect for Route Research
The Location Explorer transforms route planning from a simple line-drawing exercise into rich destination research:
- Preview destinations before committing to a route
- Discover interesting detours you might otherwise miss
- Research rest stops to find the most scenic or interesting places to pause
- Learn about local culture and history along your path
- Find photography opportunities for your journey
Clean and Collapsible
When you're done exploring, the sidebar collapses to a small tab, and all markers are temporarily hidden to keep your map clean. Expand it again anytime to continue your research.
Start Exploring
The Location Explorer is available now on all routes. Give it a try on your next route planning session - right-click anywhere on your path and discover what awaits you. You might be surprised by the stories and sights hiding along your route.
Whether you're planning a cross-country adventure or exploring your local area, the Location Explorer helps you travel with knowledge, turning every journey into an opportunity for discovery.
