Zwift to Host 2020 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships
Zwift and the UCI have announced what may be the biggest bit of racing news in Zwift’s short history: the first-ever UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, to be held in 2020 on Zwift’s platform.
The UCI has enjoyed a mutually-beneficial relationship with Zwift since Zwift’s early days, with three UCI Road World Championship courses available in game (Richmond, Innsbruck, and Yorkshire). In fact, Zwifters have ridden over two million miles on these UCI courses!
We’ve known that the UCI has been taking Esports seriously, with April’s UCI progress report from president David Lappartient prominently including “e-cycling.” And the plans for 2020 aren’t exactly news, since his report included this:
… we have included e-cycling in our Regulations and are organising the first UCI e-cycling World Championships in 2020…
Still, today’s press release at the Zwift Draft House in Harrogate is our first confirmation that the 2020 WC’s will happen on Zwift–even though this shouldn’t surprise anyone!
Here’s Matt Stephens interviewing Craig Edmondson, CEO of Zwift Esports, about this news:
Big Horizons
Edmonson sees this as a chance to create something new which improves on some of the shortcomings of other cycling disciplines:
“The beauty of creating a new cycling discipline is that we have a blank slate and no limitations. Parity is incredibly important to us at Zwift and together with the UCI we will be working to create equal competition for both men and women. This means the same number of races, the same coverage for races, and of course, equal prize money. We will set the standard for fair play and equality.”
Eric Min, Zwift CEO, has championed Zwift as a platform for high-level racing at the UCI and Olympic levels for years. This is just one more step toward making this vision a reality.
“Earlier this year, we marked our ambition to develop an esports platform, but I think it’s much more than that. We are looking to establish a new cycling discipline. This partnership is a significant leap in that journey as we move further towards our ambition of delivering competition at the highest level in sport.”
Rhys Howell, Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships at Canyon and Canyon ZCC Team Manager, said the decision to create an esports team was easy:
“Racing on Zwift is still in its infancy but compared to the cost of running a traditional cycling team, starting Canyon ZCC was a no-brainer of an opportunity. We’ve got a great opportunity to steal a march on future competition, and we are excited by the opportunity to reach new audiences.”
Martigny, Switzerland on Zwift
The UCI has just announced that next year’s Worlds will be held in Switzerland, with the race finishes happening on a 20km circuit in the town of Martigny. So it’s safe to assume we’ll see a new Martigny course released on Zwift, probably in August 2020.
More to Come
Of course, this is just the beginning–there’s a lot of work to be done before a World Championship can happen on Zwift.
Details on 2020 events are not yet finalized, and the UCI must implement a new rulebook for Cycling Esports as well. It’s going to be interesting to see this develop in the coming months.
Your Thoughts
What about you, Zwifters? Share your thoughts below!
World Championship Special #3 with Chloe Dygert, Alex Dowsett and Dan Bigham (Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast)
Episode 3 dives into all the action of the first half of the World Championship week. With stellar guests in newly-crowned TT World Champion Chloe Dygert, 5th place finisher in the men’s TT Alex Dowsett and Bronze medalist in the Mixed Relay Dan Bigham, the hosts cover all events whilst also sharing a taste of the World Championships.
World Championship Special #2, with Alex Dowsett (Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast)
Team Sky. Movistar. Team Katusha-Alpecin. Top road racing teams all graced at one point or another by Alex Dowsett. He joins the hosts to chat about his early years in the pro scene as well as using Zwift to train ahead of the time trial event at the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire. All while sitting in a Glasgow bathtub before the Tour of Britain!
World Championship Special #1 (Zwift PowerUp Cycling Podcast)
Introducing a 5 part ‘Worlds Special’ that will feature special guests, analysis, and behind the scenes stories!
Matt Rowe teams up with Dani Rowe and Matt Stephens to discuss all things Yorkshire Road World Championships in Harrogate, Yorkshire. Plus, Kev Poulton will be on the podcast, offering a unique insight in to life as a coach for riders targeting the podium having used Zwift in training.
Have You Joined the Zwift World Champs Challenge on Strava?
It’s rare that Zwift sponsors a Strava Challenge, so when I saw one pop up last week I signed up right away! It’s called the Zwift x World Champs Challenge, and if you haven’t joined it yet, here are the details.
The Challenge
To complete the Challenge, you must ride the same length as the UCI Road World Championship Men’s Elite Road Race in Yorkshire between September 22, 2019-October 5, 2019. That’s 285 km (177 miles), and Zwift rides count as do outdoor rides. You can do it!
Here’s more fine print explaining what types of Strava rides count towards Challenge completion:
GPS and virtual rides both count towards the Challenge goal. Virtual rides are categorized as those that include GPS, distance, elevation, and time data from a simulated route.
Manual entries, e-bike rides, and non-virtual trainer rides will not count toward your Challenge effort. Activity privacy settings must be marked “Everyone” to count towards the Challenge goal.
All activities logged during the challenge period must be uploaded to Strava no later than three days after the challenge ends.
Prizes
There are two tiers of prizes for this Challenge:
One month free Zwift for those who complete the challenge. Available only to those who are not currently a Zwift subscriber.
Sarah True on Depression in Endurance Athletes (Zwift PowerUp Tri Podcast #15)
Episode 15 brings recent Kona qualifier and Zwift Academy Tri mentor Sarah True in for a chat. We take this opportunity to talk about an often-overlooked yet important topic: depression in endurance athletes. We dive right in and speculate on why depression seems to be so common in athletes as well as our advice for dealing with it.
Sarah also offers a quick update on the Zwift Academy Tri team with Kona just around the corner. And in the tech corner, Jordan gives us the rundown on the hotly debated E-Bike racing scene.
About the Podcast:
The Zwift PowerUp Tri Podcast is hosted by former pro triathletes Matt Lieto and Jordan Rapp, lending their in-depth knowledge of the multisport to the Zwift Tri audience.
In the 1980s, Home Video Game consoles were dead. Sales had dropped, companies had gone out of business and consumer electronics magazines had declared that the silly fad of arcade games you can plug into your TV at home was over.
Enter Nintendo. A century-old Japanese company that got started making playing cards; they built an inexpensive, simple to use game console—and sold it in the toy aisle, not in specialty electronics stores. The Nintendo Entertainment System was a rousing success, and the video game industry was reborn.
Fast forward to today and Nintendo continues to try to find new ways to package videogames. From the Wii (a tremendous success) to the Wii U (a dismal failure). And in March of 2017, the Nintendo Switch.
The Switch is equipped with a 6.1-inch 720p LCD screen, and an innovative custom System-on-a-Chip from nVidia. The chip underclocks itself to save battery when games are played handheld at 720p, and then boosts itself when the Switch is in its dock, plugged into power and outputting to a TV at 1080p.
The portability and power of the Switch makes it an attractive console for developers. And for many of us Zwifters who own them, it’s natural to wonder what a Zwift experience might be on the portable handheld.
A Hack is Born
When the Nintendo Switch was launched back in 2017, hackers quickly discovered an internal recovery mode (abbreviated RCM). This was intended to be a way for technicians at Nintendo to repair the Switch by getting root access to its onboard memory. However, if an end-user is able to put the switch into RCM mode, then they can run unofficial, unsigned code. Things like home-brew emulators and even booting an entirely different operating system.
And that’s exactly what we’re doing here. By booting LineageOS, a special variant of Android 8.1, we suddenly have a powerful Android tablet with built-in game controllers!
For most Switch owners, this means having the best of both worlds. They can leave Horizon OS (the switch’s native operating system) unchanged, allowing them to play online through Nintendo’s servers without risking a ban, and allowing them to keep their system up-to-date. But, whenever they want, they can boot into Android and play games on Emulators, play Android games, or even access online video streaming services that don’t have native Switch support.
For us, this means we can Zwift!
FAQ’s
Will this work with my Switch?
Possibly. Nintendo patched the exploit in July of 2018. If you have a first-generation switch, it’ll work. This is a permanent exploit, if you have an early edition of the Switch, it will always be hackable. If you’re not sure, check this forum post and compare the list to the serial number of your Switch. If you’re shopping, some people have reported luck finding hackable models still on store shelves; but it’s been over a year now that the exploit has been patched, so you’d have to be pretty lucky. If you’re determined, you can find hackable Switch models on eBay, but expect to pay a premium.
How do I connect my trainer/sensors?
The experience is identical to an
Android phone or tablet. You’ll connect
them via Bluetooth. Zwift does not
support ANT+ under Android.
Will it work in docked mode?
Yep!
Though don’t expect great graphics.
Zwift and this particular Android implementation are not well optimized
for the Switch. This means that Zwift
will look worse than your favorite Switch games, all while consuming more
battery and running hotter. The Switch
display does not turn off when docked when running Android, but that doesn’t
seem to affect the experience.
Will I get disconnects or experience
crashes?
I haven’t. If you’re not getting sensor disconnects now, there’s no reason to think you suddenly would with the switch. It’s designed to work with Bluetooth controllers in docked mode, and it’s pretty reliable.
Will this void my warranty?
Potentially. Though if you have a Switch that’s still
under warranty, it’s not likely exploitable.
Will I get banned from Nintendo
Online?
No. Not if you’re only running Android. If you install Custom Firmware (CFW) or install homebrew apps on Horizon, then there is a risk. But the beauty if this Android implementation is that it runs entirely off of the microSD card, and doesn’t modify the Switch in any way.
Can I damage my console?
Yes.
But the risk is extremely low.
Follow the instructions and you shouldn’t have any issues. However, any sort of unauthorized modification
of a device carries some risk.
Why would I want to do this?
To be honest, if you have almost any other way to Zwift; such as a PC, Mac, Android device or iOS device; that’s probably a better experience. But for people like me who eventually take everything I own apart to see how it works, it’s fun!
What’s the Zwift experience like?
Framerates are smooth, but graphical fidelity is low and battery life is hilariously abysmal. It may be that despite the Switch’s decent hardware, it’s so unoptimized in Android that it can’t keep up. Or, it’s possible that Zwift simply doesn’t recognize the Switch and thus doesn’t apply its own graphical tweaks and settings.
Otherwise, it’s “just Zwift”. It works the same as any other Zwift experience.
How It’s Done
You will need:
A Nintendo Switch with an unpatched RCM exploit. (Pre July 2018)
A USB-C cable and a PC, OR a Payload injector such as SX-OS.
While it’s a little more expensive than other methods, my preferred method is SX-OS. It’s a kit that comes with an RCM Jig, a USB-C dongle and the software necessary to perform these modifications. It’s very easy to use, and for that, worth the extra $20 over other solutions.
Use a free tool called BalenaEtcher to flash the image containing Android to an empty MicroSD Card. (Note: The faster the SD card, the faster this process goes.)
Put the switch into RCM Mode. Follow the instructions for whatever method you chose. (Note: If using the SX-OS dongle, you’ll need to add the SX-OS boot.bin to the root of your microSD card).
Launch the Hekate payload, then select ‘switchroot’.
Hold ‘volume up’ to boot into TWRP. Then install all of your optional packages, including Open GApps. This MUST be done BEFORE booting into Android. I also recommend installing Magisk (which gives you root privileges) and the JoyCon fix (which helps the Joycons work for Android games and emulators)
Restart, put the switch back into RCM mode, and launch ‘switchroot’ again, this time without holding ‘VolumeUp’.
Wait 10 minutes for the first boot (it takes a while! Don’t be afraid of the blank screen.)
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Go to the Google Play Store, and Download Zwift.
And… that’s it! It’s a simple process. To get back to playing MarioKart, just
reboot. And anytime you want to boot
Android, just put it back into RCM mode and boot using the same method
above.
I found that the easiest way to keep
everything working was to have two separate microSD cards. One for my Switch and all of my Switch games,
and the other for Android.
“Rebel Routes” are Zwift rides that are not available on Zwift’s routes list, thus requiring manual navigation. The reward for your rebel ride? Exploring a new route, knowing you’ve gone where few Zwifters have gone before. And a Strava segment rank in the tens or hundreds instead of the thousands!
Here are all of Zwift Insider’s Rebel Routes. Enjoy!
We think the connector roads between Urukazi and Neokyo/Yumezi are some of the coolest parts of the Urukazi expansion, so we made this route which takes you on the shortest loop possible covering both of these connector roads.
Grab your gravel bike for this one, because it’s all dirt. This short loop takes you up repeated partial climbs of the all-dirt Temple KOM. A great route if you’re looking to do some VO2 intervals!
Planned along the same theme as the infamous Badwater Ultramarathon, this route takes you from the lowest point on Watopia to the highest point then back again. Suggested by Craig Devonshire.
A climber’s dream! This loop begins atop the Epic KOM, descends to the bypass road, cuts across, then climbs up. Perfect for ~20-minute sweetspot intervals.
Complete each of the four (“fower” in Scots) loops of the Scotland map in a counterclockwise direction, starting in Glasgow at the southwest side of the map and working your way northeast to the Tower area.
A pitchy little number covering the upper portion of Watopia’s oldest climb, “the KOM”. Great for building sprint/anaerobic power by going easy on the descents and all in for the climbs.
When this was created, it was our most challenging Rebel Route, taking on every timed KOM segment on Watopia, since no official Zwift routes accomplished this. (It is now outdated.)
This is the flattest Zwift route over 30km, with only 4.4 meters of climbing per kilometer of riding. And it’s a loopable route, not a one-way affair like many of Zwift’s southern coast routes.
Our smallest Scotland Rebel Route, this quick loop always has the Loch in its center and includes the rarely-ridden Breakaway Brae Reverse climb each time around.
Covering the entire perimeter of Watopia, this route is just like Bigger Loop except it adds the radio tower and Alpe du Zwift climbs. Suggested by Jeff Cottrell.
Distance: 53.6km (33.3 miles) + Lead-In of 5.7km (3.5 miles)
Elevation Gain: 437m (1433′)
This route includes all four of the rarely-traveled road sections Zwift added back in December 2020. In fact, when this route was created, it covered three of those four roads in a direction no official Zwift route covered.
Several routes that began as Rebel Routes eventually made it into Zwift! We’ve removed them from the list above, but you can see the details of the official Zwift routes below:
This page includes basic details for all routes on Zwift’s Watopia world. For additional route details, click the corresponding link to access that route’s home page.
By far the climbiest of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, this point-to-point route is quite flat… until it hits the base of Alpe du Zwift!
Route Basics
Length: 41 km (25.5 miles) Elevation: 1153 m (3,783‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 825XP
By far the climbiest of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, this point-to-point route is quite flat… until it hits the base of Alpe du Zwift!
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Beach Island Loop is the first route to use the new Bridge/Islands Bypass – a short stretch of road connecting the JWB Bridge to the 360 Bridge.
This route is a slightly modified version of the event-only Volcano Flat Reverse route, placing riders on a more northerly segment which adds a quick trip through the Italian Villas and a chance for green glory in the forward sprint.
Route Basics
Length: 13.1 km (8.1 miles) Elevation: 44 m (144‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 255XP
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Beach Island Loop is the first route to use the new Bridge/Islands Bypass – a short stretch of road connecting the JWB Bridge to the 360 Bridge.
This route is a slightly modified version of the event-only Volcano Flat Reverse route, placing riders on a more northerly segment which adds a quick trip through the Italian Villas and a chance for green glory in the forward sprint.
Originally created as a Rebel Route in November of 2021, the Big Flat 8 was created because we wanted a long, flat route on Watopia without riding over the same tarmac repeatedly. At 3.5 meters of climb per kilometer of distance, this is Watopia’s flattest route apart from Tempus Fugit and Tick Tock. And it’s much more scenic!
This route was added to the Zwift canon in January 2024 to host the final stage of Tour de Zwift 2024.
Route Basics
Length: 29.2 km (18.1 miles) Elevation: 103 m (338‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 580XP
Originally created as a Rebel Route in November of 2021, the Big Flat 8 was created because we wanted a long, flat route on Watopia without riding over the same tarmac repeatedly. At 3.5 meters of climb per kilometer of distance, this is Watopia’s flattest route apart from Tempus Fugit and Tick Tock. And it’s much more scenic!
This route was added to the Zwift canon in January 2024 to host the final stage of Tour de Zwift 2024.
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Big Foot Hills” takes you on a meandering journey over the lower peaks of Watopia, including Titans Grove in both directions.
This longer route is perfect for a ~2-hour free ride and includes 5 different KOM sections of short to medium length. A nice choice if you want to do some VO2 max hill training!
Route Basics
Length: 67.5 km (41.9 miles) Elevation: 708 m (2,323‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 1340XP
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Big Foot Hills” takes you on a meandering journey over the lower peaks of Watopia, including Titans Grove in both directions.
This longer route is perfect for a ~2-hour free ride and includes 5 different KOM sections of short to medium length. A nice choice if you want to do some VO2 max hill training!
Watopia’s “Big Loop” was added with the Mayan jungle expansion in late October 2017. It includes the Epic KOM, Mayan jungle roads, and a portion of the Volcano Flat route.
Route Basics
Length: 42.1 km (26.2 miles) Elevation: 661 m (2,169‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 5+
Achievement Badge: 840XP
Watopia’s “Big Loop” was added with the Mayan jungle expansion in late October 2017. It includes the Epic KOM, Mayan jungle roads, and a portion of the Volcano Flat route.
As one of the longest of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, “The Big Ring” is a big ring that lets you stay in the big ring. It’s the longest flat route in Watopia!
Route Basics
Length: 48.9 km (30.4 miles) Elevation: 269 m (883‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 977XP
As one of the longest of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, “The Big Ring” is a big ring that lets you stay in the big ring. It’s the longest flat route in Watopia!
“Bigger Loop” is a modified version of Zwift’s “Big Loop” which basically adds ~11km of flat road to the start of the route. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this route features the new desert roads as well as the Epic KOM, Jungle Circuit, and portions of Volcano flat.
Route Basics
Length: 52.7 km (32.7 miles) Elevation: 691 m (2,267‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 5+
Achievement Badge: 1060XP
“Bigger Loop” is a modified version of Zwift’s “Big Loop” which basically adds ~11km of flat road to the start of the route. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this route features the new desert roads as well as the Epic KOM, Jungle Circuit, and portions of Volcano flat.
This route has the toughest lead-in of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, but once you finish the lead-in you can almost say, “It’s all downhill from here…”
Route Basics
Length: 22.6 km (14.0 miles) Elevation: 124 m (407‘) Lead-In: 5.1 km (3.2 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 444XP
This route has the toughest lead-in of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, but once you finish the lead-in you can almost say, “It’s all downhill from here…”
Added to the game in August 2025 as an event-only route to host events for Zwift Camp: Baseline, this route begins at the southern coast start pen and travels across to the Jungle for two dusty laps.
Route Basics
Length: 23.7 km (14.7 miles) Elevation: 191 m (627‘) Lead-In: 0.3 km (0.2 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 475XP
Added to the game in August 2025 as an event-only route to host events for Zwift Camp: Baseline, this route begins at the southern coast start pen and travels across to the Jungle for two dusty laps.
One of the longer routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, “Coast Crusher” is the only route covering the new road in both directions, hitting all eight sprint segments.
Route Basics
Length: 34.7 km (21.6 miles) Elevation: 174 m (571‘) Lead-In: 8.1 km (5.0 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 684XP
One of the longer routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, “Coast Crusher” is the only route covering the new road in both directions, hitting all eight sprint segments.
Beginning on Watopia’s southern coast and making its way over to Jarvis Island for a single counterclockwise lap of the circuit, Coast to Coast is the only point-to-point route among the six released in Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion.
Route Basics
Length: 24.1 km (15.0 miles) Elevation: 154 m (505‘) Lead-In: 2.6 km (1.6 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 480XP
Beginning on Watopia’s southern coast and making its way over to Jarvis Island for a single counterclockwise lap of the circuit, Coast to Coast is the only point-to-point route among the six released in Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion.
Are you a snake charmer? Put yourself to the test on Danger Noodle! With no major climbs, the elevation here comes in bite-sized pieces.
Designed by Mark Brzezinski (ZSUNR), this route won the ZRL 2024/25 Round 3 design contest, earning it the right to be added to the game to host the final race of the round.
Route Basics
Length: 32.1 km (19.9 miles) Elevation: 413 m (1,355‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 645XP
Are you a snake charmer? Put yourself to the test on Danger Noodle! With no major climbs, the elevation here comes in bite-sized pieces.
Designed by Mark Brzezinski (ZSUNR), this route won the ZRL 2024/25 Round 3 design contest, earning it the right to be added to the game to host the final race of the round.
By far the longest route released in Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion, Deca Dash is sort of a mini PRL Full. It derives its name from the 10 laps of Jarvis Island you must complete before earning the achievement badge.
Route Basics
Length: 48.2 km (30.0 miles) Elevation: 484 m (1,588‘) Lead-In: 4 km (2.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 1000XP
By far the longest route released in Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion, Deca Dash is sort of a mini PRL Full. It derives its name from the 10 laps of Jarvis Island you must complete before earning the achievement badge.
Released for Zwift Games 2025, Downtown Eruption keeps riders in Watopia proper while taking them up two climbs: the Volcano KOM mid-route, and the Hilly KOM to finish things off!
Route Basics
Length: 19.4 km (12.1 miles) Elevation: 275 m (902‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 400XP
Released for Zwift Games 2025, Downtown Eruption keeps riders in Watopia proper while taking them up two climbs: the Volcano KOM mid-route, and the Hilly KOM to finish things off!
Originally published as a Rebel Route by Zwift Insider in March 2020, “Downtown Titans” is the brainchild of Zwifter Shawn McAfee. The thinking behind this route was to cover the newest (Titans Grove) and oldest (Hilly) KOMs in Watopia.
Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
Route Basics
Length: 24.6 km (15.3 miles) Elevation: 292 m (958‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 490XP
Originally published as a Rebel Route by Zwift Insider in March 2020, “Downtown Titans” is the brainchild of Zwifter Shawn McAfee. The thinking behind this route was to cover the newest (Titans Grove) and oldest (Hilly) KOMs in Watopia.
Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Dust In the Wind” covers Titans Grove twice, as well as Fuego Flats, part of Ocean Boulevard, and a Mayan Jungle out and back.
Along the way you’ll encounter a fair amount of virtual dirt/gravel road, so you might consider swapping to a gravel bike so you can move to the front of the pack and make everyone else eat your dust!
Route Basics
Length: 52.1 km (32.4 miles) Elevation: 582 m (1,909‘) Lead-In: 0.3 km (0.2 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 6+
Achievement Badge: 1080XP
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Dust In the Wind” covers Titans Grove twice, as well as Fuego Flats, part of Ocean Boulevard, and a Mayan Jungle out and back.
Along the way you’ll encounter a fair amount of virtual dirt/gravel road, so you might consider swapping to a gravel bike so you can move to the front of the pack and make everyone else eat your dust!
Originally published as a Rebel Route by Zwift Insider in February 2020, “Eastern Eight” covers the easternmost roads of Watopia (Fuego Flats, Titans Grove, and most of Ocean Boulevard) in both directions.
Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
Route Basics
Length: 51.7 km (32.1 miles) Elevation: 406 m (1,332‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 1345XP
Originally published as a Rebel Route by Zwift Insider in February 2020, “Eastern Eight” covers the easternmost roads of Watopia (Fuego Flats, Titans Grove, and most of Ocean Boulevard) in both directions.
Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
If you’re looking for a single route that includes The Grade for an FTP test, this is it. While Oh Hill No begins right at the bottom of The Grade, Elevation Evaluation begins around 3km from the start of The Grade (if free riding) or around 6km from the start if you ride it in an event. This should provide ample warmup time before taking on The Grade as an FTP test.
Route Basics
Length: 24.6 km (15.3 miles) Elevation: 396 m (1,299‘) Lead-In: 3.1 km (1.9 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 490XP
If you’re looking for a single route that includes The Grade for an FTP test, this is it. While Oh Hill No begins right at the bottom of The Grade, Elevation Evaluation begins around 3km from the start of The Grade (if free riding) or around 6km from the start if you ride it in an event. This should provide ample warmup time before taking on The Grade as an FTP test.
Watopia’s “Figure 8” route covers the entire hilly and flat routes in both directions. If you’re looking for a ride around an hour long that includes some short climbs and a nice mix of flats and rollers, this is a solid choice.
This route is popular with racers since its nice mix of punchy climbs, flats, and rollers keep the race interesting and allow for strategic attacks from a variety of riders.
Route Basics
Length: 29.7 km (18.5 miles) Elevation: 254 m (833‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 580XP
Watopia’s “Figure 8” route covers the entire hilly and flat routes in both directions. If you’re looking for a ride around an hour long that includes some short climbs and a nice mix of flats and rollers, this is a solid choice.
This route is popular with racers since its nice mix of punchy climbs, flats, and rollers keep the race interesting and allow for strategic attacks from a variety of riders.
Watopia’s “Figure 8” route covers the entire hilly and flat routes in both directions. If you’re looking for a ride around an hour long that includes some short climbs and a nice mix of flats and rollers, this is a solid choice.
The reverse Figure 8 route is popular with racers since it doesn’t start with a tough climb out of the box, and has a nice mix of punchy climbs, flats, and rollers to keep the race interesting by allowing for strategic attacks from a variety of riders.
Route Basics
Length: 29.7 km (18.5 miles) Elevation: 254 m (833‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 580XP
Watopia’s “Figure 8” route covers the entire hilly and flat routes in both directions. If you’re looking for a ride around an hour long that includes some short climbs and a nice mix of flats and rollers, this is a solid choice.
The reverse Figure 8 route is popular with racers since it doesn’t start with a tough climb out of the box, and has a nice mix of punchy climbs, flats, and rollers to keep the race interesting by allowing for strategic attacks from a variety of riders.
Added to the game in August 2025 as an event-only route to host events for Zwift Camp: Baseline, this route is second only to Tempus Fugit in overall flatness (measured in meters of climb/kilometers of distance). Which makes sense, since this route is essentially Tempus Fugit with a longer, slightly uphill lead-in!
Route Basics
Length: 21.4 km (13.3 miles) Elevation: 46 m (151‘) Lead-In: 0.9 km (0.6 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 430XP
Added to the game in August 2025 as an event-only route to host events for Zwift Camp: Baseline, this route is second only to Tempus Fugit in overall flatness (measured in meters of climb/kilometers of distance). Which makes sense, since this route is essentially Tempus Fugit with a longer, slightly uphill lead-in!
When it was released in March 2018, the “Four Horsemen” covered all of Watopia’s timed climbs: the original Hilly KOM, Volcano KOM, Epic KOM, and Alpe du Zwift. Along the way it also covered (nearly) every bit of Watopian road.
The Fuego Flats and Titans Grove extensions were released after this route launched, so Four Horsemen is no longer a nearly complete tour of Watopia.
Route Basics
Length: 88.7 km (55.1 miles) Elevation: 2113 m (6,932‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 6+
Achievement Badge: 1780XP
When it was released in March 2018, the “Four Horsemen” covered all of Watopia’s timed climbs: the original Hilly KOM, Volcano KOM, Epic KOM, and Alpe du Zwift. Along the way it also covered (nearly) every bit of Watopian road.
The Fuego Flats and Titans Grove extensions were released after this route launched, so Four Horsemen is no longer a nearly complete tour of Watopia.
Up up up! After a flattish lead-in, this loop front loads lots of climbing, beginning with the Itza KOM, progressing to the upper half of The Grade, and finishing on the final portion of the Epic KOM! A long descent follows, but the loop ends on a climb, finishing at the Mayan Mountainside KOM banner.
Route Basics
Length: 25.3 km (15.7 miles) Elevation: 537 m (1,762‘) Lead-In: 8.6 km (5.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 510XP
Up up up! After a flattish lead-in, this loop front loads lots of climbing, beginning with the Itza KOM, progressing to the upper half of The Grade, and finishing on the final portion of the Epic KOM! A long descent follows, but the loop ends on a climb, finishing at the Mayan Mountainside KOM banner.
Sort of the “desert version” of Temple Trek, this is one of the shorter routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 coastal road expansion. It’s a very flat route, beginning at the desert arch in Fuego Flats and takes you partway down the new coastal road.
Route Basics
Length: 16.5 km (10.3 miles) Elevation: 63 m (207‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 308XP
Sort of the “desert version” of Temple Trek, this is one of the shorter routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 coastal road expansion. It’s a very flat route, beginning at the desert arch in Fuego Flats and takes you partway down the new coastal road.
Released in April 2025, this route is the first to let Zwifters do hill repeats on The Grade. (It may not a hugely popular feature request on Zwift, but you could turn this intoa solid route-based workout for sweet spot or threshold intervals!)
Route Basics
Length: 13.6 km (8.5 miles) Elevation: 336 m (1,102‘) Lead-In: 2.7 km (1.7 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 275XP
Released in April 2025, this route is the first to let Zwifters do hill repeats on The Grade. (It may not a hugely popular feature request on Zwift, but you could turn this intoa solid route-based workout for sweet spot or threshold intervals!)
As the very first route on the Zwift’s Watopia island, “Watopia Hilly Route” is still a favorite among racers. It includes timed KOM climbs and sprints in both the forward and reverse directions.
Route Basics
Length: 9.3 km (5.8 miles) Elevation: 109 m (358‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 180XP
As the very first route on the Zwift’s Watopia island, “Watopia Hilly Route” is still a favorite among racers. It includes timed KOM climbs and sprints in both the forward and reverse directions.
Is it a party? Not exactly, although most of the route’s roads could be described as “rolling”. The one-way route begins with a climb, ends with a climb, and has one more thrown into the middle just for fun!
Route Basics
Length: 45.7 km (28.4 miles) Elevation: 505 m (1,657‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 920XP
Is it a party? Not exactly, although most of the route’s roads could be described as “rolling”. The one-way route begins with a climb, ends with a climb, and has one more thrown into the middle just for fun!
Launched in September 2025 as an event-only course for the final race of ZRL round 1, Jarvis Seaside Sprint combines a clockwise loop of Jarvis Island with a lap of the Seaside Sprint route… hence the name.
Route Basics
Length: 12.5 km (7.8 miles) Elevation: 95 m (312‘) Lead-In: 2.8 km (1.7 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 250XP
Launched in September 2025 as an event-only course for the final race of ZRL round 1, Jarvis Seaside Sprint combines a clockwise loop of Jarvis Island with a lap of the Seaside Sprint route… hence the name.
Watopia’s “Jungle Circuit” was added with the Mayan jungle expansion in late October 2017. This is a lollipop route, meaning you start with a lead-in then remain on the circuit portion until your legs fall off.
Route Basics
Length: 7.9 km (4.9 miles) Elevation: 82 m (269‘) Lead-In: 5.7 km (3.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 5+
Achievement Badge: 260XP
Watopia’s “Jungle Circuit” was added with the Mayan jungle expansion in late October 2017. This is a lollipop route, meaning you start with a lead-in then remain on the circuit portion until your legs fall off.
Created to support the inaugural Zwift Games, this rolling route begins in Titans Grove and ends with a sprint on Watopia’s southern coast. It’s basically a shortened version of the Canopies and Coastlines route.
Route Basics
Length: 19.5 km (12.1 miles) Elevation: 212 m (696‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 386XP
Created to support the inaugural Zwift Games, this rolling route begins in Titans Grove and ends with a sprint on Watopia’s southern coast. It’s basically a shortened version of the Canopies and Coastlines route.
Loopin Lava is the climbiest of the six routes released with Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion, taking riders up and over the Jarvis KOM as well as the Volcano KOM.
Route Basics
Length: 14.3 km (8.9 miles) Elevation: 196 m (643‘) Lead-In: 4.1 km (2.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 285XP
Loopin Lava is the climbiest of the six routes released with Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion, taking riders up and over the Jarvis KOM as well as the Volcano KOM.
This shortish route is two different loops, connected by a bit of flat road. The upper loop is a Jungle half-loop, and the lower, larger loop takes in the southern coast road and Mayan Mountainside + Itza KOMs.
Route Basics
Length: 23.1 km (14.4 miles) Elevation: 241 m (791‘) Lead-In: 3.1 km (1.9 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 460XP
This shortish route is two different loops, connected by a bit of flat road. The upper loop is a Jungle half-loop, and the lower, larger loop takes in the southern coast road and Mayan Mountainside + Itza KOMs.
This challenging figure eight route begins and ends flat, but everything in between is quite pitchy. Bring your climbing legs, but also your supertuck!
Route Basics
Length: 34.6 km (21.5 miles) Elevation: 756 m (2,480‘) Lead-In: 3.1 km (1.9 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 700XP
This challenging figure eight route begins and ends flat, but everything in between is quite pitchy. Bring your climbing legs, but also your supertuck!
Winning the award for the best route name in recent Zwistory, “Mayan San Remo” is presumably titled as such because the route profile roughly matches the final kilometers of the famous Milan-San Remo classic. (Check out this Strava segment starting with the Cipressa descent and then climbing the Poggio before descending to the finish in San Remo.)
Route Basics
Length: 21 km (13.0 miles) Elevation: 219 m (719‘) Lead-In: 0.3 km (0.2 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 420XP
Winning the award for the best route name in recent Zwistory, “Mayan San Remo” is presumably titled as such because the route profile roughly matches the final kilometers of the famous Milan-San Remo classic. (Check out this Strava segment starting with the Cipressa descent and then climbing the Poggio before descending to the finish in San Remo.)
Watopia’s “Mega Pretzel” was released with Zwift’s February 1, 2018 update as the longest available route for Zwift’s iconic course. At the time of its release it covered every segment of the course except the radio tower climb, and in fact covered nearly all segments in both directions. The Alpe du Zwift climb is notably absent from this route since the Alpe was released after the route was created.
Route Basics
Length: 107 km (66.5 miles) Elevation: 1640 m (5,381‘) Lead-In: 3.7 km (2.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 5+
Achievement Badge: 2140XP
Watopia’s “Mega Pretzel” was released with Zwift’s February 1, 2018 update as the longest available route for Zwift’s iconic course. At the time of its release it covered every segment of the course except the radio tower climb, and in fact covered nearly all segments in both directions. The Alpe du Zwift climb is notably absent from this route since the Alpe was released after the route was created.
This route is simply a loop up to the radio tower, then back through the Italian Villas and the Esses to the downtown finish line. This was the “main” route created to showcase the Epic KOM when it was released in March 2016 as the largest climb in Zwift.
Route Basics
Length: 29.6 km (18.4 miles) Elevation: 682 m (2,238‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 580XP
This route is simply a loop up to the radio tower, then back through the Italian Villas and the Esses to the downtown finish line. This was the “main” route created to showcase the Epic KOM when it was released in March 2016 as the largest climb in Zwift.
The “Mountain 8” route on Watopia similar in distance to “Figure 8“, but with substantially more climbing since it takes you over the reverse Epic KOM and up the radio tower climb. The strongest riders can complete this route in under an hour, but mere mortals will need 75 minutes or more.
Route Basics
Length: 32.1 km (19.9 miles) Elevation: 691 m (2,267‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 640XP
The “Mountain 8” route on Watopia similar in distance to “Figure 8“, but with substantially more climbing since it takes you over the reverse Epic KOM and up the radio tower climb. The strongest riders can complete this route in under an hour, but mere mortals will need 75 minutes or more.
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Muir and the Mountain” takes you on a loop which includes the Titans Grove “Watopia Preserve” and the Epic KOM. Fittingly named for John Muir, “Father of National Parks”, this route’s in-game description is an adaptation of Muir’s famous quote: “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”
The route’s length and profile make it a nice choice for an hour-long session which includes a hard climbing effort.
Route Basics
Length: 33.9 km (21.1 miles) Elevation: 793 m (2,602‘) Lead-In: 5.1 km (3.2 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 680XP
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Muir and the Mountain” takes you on a loop which includes the Titans Grove “Watopia Preserve” and the Epic KOM. Fittingly named for John Muir, “Father of National Parks”, this route’s in-game description is an adaptation of Muir’s famous quote: “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”
The route’s length and profile make it a nice choice for an hour-long session which includes a hard climbing effort.
Added to Watopia in September 2024, Navig8 isn’t so much a figure 8 as it is two loops connected by a long stretch of road.
The larger upper loop is Watopia’s Waistband, while the smaller, hillier lower loop is a common one we’ve seen in other routes: the western portion of the southern coast road plus the Mayan Mountainside and Itza KOMs, ending with a descent on the bottom half of The Grade.
Route Basics
Length: 63.9 km (39.7 miles) Elevation: 417 m (1,368‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 1280XP
Added to Watopia in September 2024, Navig8 isn’t so much a figure 8 as it is two loops connected by a long stretch of road.
The larger upper loop is Watopia’s Waistband, while the smaller, hillier lower loop is a common one we’ve seen in other routes: the western portion of the southern coast road plus the Mayan Mountainside and Itza KOMs, ending with a descent on the bottom half of The Grade.
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Ocean Lava Cliffside Loop is the first route to use the new Epic KOM Bypass – a twisty, rolling, narrow stretch of cliffside road connecting the lower sections of the Epic KOM and Epic KOM Reverse.
A wonderful choice for anyone seeking a scenic Watopian sightseeing spin, this route should also make for fun racing, as it gives lightweight riders a chance to get away on a short, steep climb halfway through. Heavier, more powerful riders can spend the back half of the loop trying to chase any breakaway down before the finish!
Route Basics
Length: 19.1 km (11.9 miles) Elevation: 157 m (515‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 380XP
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Ocean Lava Cliffside Loop is the first route to use the new Epic KOM Bypass – a twisty, rolling, narrow stretch of cliffside road connecting the lower sections of the Epic KOM and Epic KOM Reverse.
A wonderful choice for anyone seeking a scenic Watopian sightseeing spin, this route should also make for fun racing, as it gives lightweight riders a chance to get away on a short, steep climb halfway through. Heavier, more powerful riders can spend the back half of the loop trying to chase any breakaway down before the finish!
If you’re looking to directly access Zwift’s “The Grade” FTP test climb, this is the route to do it. But you’ll want to be warmed up beforehand, because the test begins as soon as you start pedaling!
Route Basics
Length: 7.9 km (4.9 miles) Elevation: 306 m (1,004‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 160XP
If you’re looking to directly access Zwift’s “The Grade” FTP test climb, this is the route to do it. But you’ll want to be warmed up beforehand, because the test begins as soon as you start pedaling!
“Out and Back Again” is a route which is quite flat… until it isn’t. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this oddly-named route isn’t an out and back at all, but rather two loops connected in a figure 8-style course.
This is a popular race route given its length and mostly-flat profile punctuated by two distinct climb sections.
Route Basics
Length: 40.3 km (25.0 miles) Elevation: 329 m (1,079‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 840XP
“Out and Back Again” is a route which is quite flat… until it isn’t. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this oddly-named route isn’t an out and back at all, but rather two loops connected in a figure 8-style course.
This is a popular race route given its length and mostly-flat profile punctuated by two distinct climb sections.
Want a long warmup before taking on The Grade FTP test? Peak Performance is a large loop route beginning in downtown Watopia, giving 23km of rolling terrain as a lead-in to The Grade before continuing on over the Epic KOM and back to downtown.
Route Basics
Length: 45.7 km (28.4 miles) Elevation: 726 m (2,382‘) Lead-In: 0.9 km (0.6 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 920XP
Want a long warmup before taking on The Grade FTP test? Peak Performance is a large loop route beginning in downtown Watopia, giving 23km of rolling terrain as a lead-in to The Grade before continuing on over the Epic KOM and back to downtown.
Added to the game in August 2025 as an event-only route to host events for Zwift Camp: Baseline, Power Punches takes riders from downtown Watopia through The Esses and the Volcano before completing three clockwise loops of Jarvis.
Route Basics
Length: 23.5 km (14.6 miles) Elevation: 205 m (673‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 470XP
Added to the game in August 2025 as an event-only route to host events for Zwift Camp: Baseline, Power Punches takes riders from downtown Watopia through The Esses and the Volcano before completing three clockwise loops of Jarvis.
Power to the Tower is perhaps the most inventive of the new routes announced July 2024 for the inaugural Zwift World Series. It features three tough climbs: the Epic KOM Reverse, The Grade, and the Epic KOM forward with the Radio Tower KOM as the finish line!
As of July 2024 this is, in fact, the only route in Watopia ending at the Radio Tower KOM.
Route Basics
Length: 43.8 km (27.2 miles) Elevation: 1494 m (4,902‘) Lead-In: 0.9 km (0.6 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 900XP
Power to the Tower is perhaps the most inventive of the new routes announced July 2024 for the inaugural Zwift World Series. It features three tough climbs: the Epic KOM Reverse, The Grade, and the Epic KOM forward with the Radio Tower KOM as the finish line!
As of July 2024 this is, in fact, the only route in Watopia ending at the Radio Tower KOM.
When this route was released it was the longest and most challenging on Zwift, covering all segments in Watopia at least twice. With new roads and routes added since its creation, The Pretzel is no longer the longest or toughest route. But it still packs a punch at 44.8 miles (72.1km) in length with 4,375′ (1333m) of elevation gain.
Route Basics
Length: 72.9 km (45.3 miles) Elevation: 1362 m (4,469‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 1440XP
When this route was released it was the longest and most challenging on Zwift, covering all segments in Watopia at least twice. With new roads and routes added since its creation, The Pretzel is no longer the longest or toughest route. But it still packs a punch at 44.8 miles (72.1km) in length with 4,375′ (1333m) of elevation gain.
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Quatch Quest” is by far the most challenging, with more than twice the elevation gain of Muir and the Mountain, the next most mountainous route.
Zwift teases us in the description of this route: “If you keep your eyes open, there’s no telling what you might see.” What are they referring to? We know a large, bluish Yeti has been spotted on Alpe du Zwift. But Sasquatch is an entirely different creature. Perhaps one is hiding in Titans Grove?
Route Basics
Length: 46.7 km (29.0 miles) Elevation: 1710 m (5,610‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 6+
Achievement Badge: 920XP
One of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Quatch Quest” is by far the most challenging, with more than twice the elevation gain of Muir and the Mountain, the next most mountainous route.
Zwift teases us in the description of this route: “If you keep your eyes open, there’s no telling what you might see.” What are they referring to? We know a large, bluish Yeti has been spotted on Alpe du Zwift. But Sasquatch is an entirely different creature. Perhaps one is hiding in Titans Grove?
Added in Zwift’s September 2024 update, this route features The Grade as its central climb. But it doesn’t stop there, as the route continues up the Epic KOM and finishes atop the dauntingly steep Radio Tower KOM!
This route is actually a solid option if you’re looking to complete The Grade as an FTP test, but want a route that offers a nice warmup prior to the max effort.
Route Basics
Length: 20.4 km (12.7 miles) Elevation: 728 m (2,388‘) Lead-In: 3.1 km (1.9 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 410XP
Added in Zwift’s September 2024 update, this route features The Grade as its central climb. But it doesn’t stop there, as the route continues up the Epic KOM and finishes atop the dauntingly steep Radio Tower KOM!
This route is actually a solid option if you’re looking to complete The Grade as an FTP test, but want a route that offers a nice warmup prior to the max effort.
A new steering test course to replace Repack Ridge, Repack Rush is a twisting, paved route with boost strips, time bonuses, and hazards. Steering your way into the helpful elements, steer to avoid the hazards, and see where you’re ranked on the leaderboard!
Route Basics
Length: 2.76 km (1.7 miles) Elevation: 27 m (89‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Steering required
Achievement Badge: 56XP
A new steering test course to replace Repack Ridge, Repack Rush is a twisting, paved route with boost strips, time bonuses, and hazards. Steering your way into the helpful elements, steer to avoid the hazards, and see where you’re ranked on the leaderboard!
Watopia’s “Road to Ruins” was added with the Mayan jungle expansion in late October 2017. It begins just like the Jungle Circuit, but takes you to the Volcano Flat and back home to the start/finish banner instead of leaving you riding jungle laps.
Route Basics
Length: 29.6 km (18.4 miles) Elevation: 276 m (906‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 5+
Achievement Badge: 580XP
Watopia’s “Road to Ruins” was added with the Mayan jungle expansion in late October 2017. It begins just like the Jungle Circuit, but takes you to the Volcano Flat and back home to the start/finish banner instead of leaving you riding jungle laps.
The simplest of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Sand and Sequoias” is aptly named since it includes the Fuego Flats desert plus the rolling road of Titans Grove sequoia forest.
Route Basics
Length: 20.1 km (12.5 miles) Elevation: 175 m (574‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 400XP
The simplest of five routes rolled out with Zwift’s Titans Grove expansion, “Sand and Sequoias” is aptly named since it includes the Fuego Flats desert plus the rolling road of Titans Grove sequoia forest.
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Serpentine 8 is the first route to use the new Mayan Bridge road – a twisty stretch of dirt/stone/wood road crossing the jungle waters and bisecting the Mayan Jungle Circuit.This is a figure 8 route in terms of road layout, but it is ridden in such a way as to cover all roads (the Jungle Circuit and Mayan Bridge) in both directions. It also features a substantial lead-in which includes your first trip over the bridge.
Route Basics
Length: 19.4 km (12.1 miles) Elevation: 206 m (676‘) Lead-In: 7.5 km (4.7 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 385XP
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Serpentine 8 is the first route to use the new Mayan Bridge road – a twisty stretch of dirt/stone/wood road crossing the jungle waters and bisecting the Mayan Jungle Circuit.This is a figure 8 route in terms of road layout, but it is ridden in such a way as to cover all roads (the Jungle Circuit and Mayan Bridge) in both directions. It also features a substantial lead-in which includes your first trip over the bridge.
This is one of the more difficult routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 coastal road expansion… a much spicier version of the Sugar Cookie. “Shorelines and Summits” begins near the Jungle start pens, then takes you on a loop along the coastline and up the Epic KOM, including the Radio Tower climb!
Route Basics
Length: 46.1 km (28.6 miles) Elevation: 776 m (2,546‘) Lead-In: 4.1 km (2.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 924XP
This is one of the more difficult routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 coastal road expansion… a much spicier version of the Sugar Cookie. “Shorelines and Summits” begins near the Jungle start pens, then takes you on a loop along the coastline and up the Epic KOM, including the Radio Tower climb!
This route is made up of three stacked loops (hence the name) taking rides through sections of Watopia proper, the Epic KOM, the Mayan Jungle, and The Grade.
Route Basics
Length: 43.9 km (27.3 miles) Elevation: 577 m (1,893‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 880XP
This route is made up of three stacked loops (hence the name) taking rides through sections of Watopia proper, the Epic KOM, the Mayan Jungle, and The Grade.
Launched in September 2025 as an event-only TT course to kick off round 1 of ZRL, Southern Coast Cruise is a rolling route that covers the eastern portion of Watopia’s southern coast road in both directions.
Route Basics
Length: 26.3 km (16.3 miles) Elevation: 147 m (482‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 475XP
Launched in September 2025 as an event-only TT course to kick off round 1 of ZRL, Southern Coast Cruise is a rolling route that covers the eastern portion of Watopia’s southern coast road in both directions.
Announced as a Rebel Route in May 2019, Spiral Into the Volcano was created because we were looking for a longer, flat route with a spicy finish. If you follow this route on a map you’ll see how it was named: an ever-tightening counter-clockwise spiral which culminates in the spiral climb up the volcano.
This route was added to the Zwift canon in January 2024 to host the final stage of Tour de Zwift 2024.
Route Basics
Length: 55.8 km (34.7 miles) Elevation: 336 m (1,102‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 1030XP
Announced as a Rebel Route in May 2019, Spiral Into the Volcano was created because we were looking for a longer, flat route with a spicy finish. If you follow this route on a map you’ll see how it was named: an ever-tightening counter-clockwise spiral which culminates in the spiral climb up the volcano.
This route was added to the Zwift canon in January 2024 to host the final stage of Tour de Zwift 2024.
Designed by Zwifter Bryan Culliford (CLS), this route won the ZRL 2024/25 Round 2 design contest, earning it the right to be added to the game and raced for the final race of the round.
Here’s how Bryan describes the route:
Tair Dringfa Fechan (translated from Welsh as Three Little Climbs) is a route determined to test riders before reaching the finish at the mighty Titans Reverse segment banner. The route tackles two short climbs first. The first climb is a tough one without any powerups, but a long downhill offers chasers a chance to catch up. The second climb follows, where you might receive a feather or an aero helmet powerup, depending on your luck – one for the breakaway or the chase. For the final climb, you’ll have three chances to get a feather powerup. Do you gamble and use it early, or save it for the push to the finish?
Route Basics
Length: 31.5 km (19.6 miles) Elevation: 349 m (1,145‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 625XP
Designed by Zwifter Bryan Culliford (CLS), this route won the ZRL 2024/25 Round 2 design contest, earning it the right to be added to the game and raced for the final race of the round.
Here’s how Bryan describes the route:
Tair Dringfa Fechan (translated from Welsh as Three Little Climbs) is a route determined to test riders before reaching the finish at the mighty Titans Reverse segment banner. The route tackles two short climbs first. The first climb is a tough one without any powerups, but a long downhill offers chasers a chance to catch up. The second climb follows, where you might receive a feather or an aero helmet powerup, depending on your luck – one for the breakaway or the chase. For the final climb, you’ll have three chances to get a feather powerup. Do you gamble and use it early, or save it for the push to the finish?
Looking for an easy route badge? The shortest of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, Temple Trek is also the most downhill route in game. It begins with a descent through the Jungle, then levels off for the second half.
Route Basics
Length: 6.5 km (4.0 miles) Elevation: 25 m (82‘) Lead-In: 4.1 km (2.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 128XP
Looking for an easy route badge? The shortest of the eight routes released with Zwift’s October 2023 southern coast expansion, Temple Trek is also the most downhill route in game. It begins with a descent through the Jungle, then levels off for the second half.
“Tempus Fugit” is Latin for “time flees (or flies)”, and this is certainly a flat, fast route. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, it is designed as an out and back TT race course, with the lead-in from the desert start pens making the course come in right around 20km in length for one lap.
Route Basics
Length: 17.3 km (10.7 miles) Elevation: 16 m (52‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 380XP
“Tempus Fugit” is Latin for “time flees (or flies)”, and this is certainly a flat, fast route. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, it is designed as an out and back TT race course, with the lead-in from the desert start pens making the course come in right around 20km in length for one lap.
The route that started it all! When Zwift launched its initial beta on September 30, 2014, the only road in game was Jarvis Island. And we could only ride in one direction!
“The Classic” brings back this original road, in the original direction, but this time as part of Watopia. (Curious about the original road? Here’s the Strava segment which saw just over 120,000 attempts before Jarvis closed.)
Route Basics
Length: 4.7 km (2.9 miles) Elevation: 49 m (161‘) Lead-In: 4.1 km (2.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 100XP
The route that started it all! When Zwift launched its initial beta on September 30, 2014, the only road in game was Jarvis Island. And we could only ride in one direction!
“The Classic” brings back this original road, in the original direction, but this time as part of Watopia. (Curious about the original road? Here’s the Strava segment which saw just over 120,000 attempts before Jarvis closed.)
“The Magnificent 8” route was rolled out with Zwift’s October 29, 2019 update, and was used as the route for the Halloween dinosaur costume scavenger hunt. It was released as an event-only route, and became an open route in January 2025. It’s a mostly-flat route, with the only significant climb being the reverse Hilly KOM.
Route Basics
Length: 28.9 km (18.0 miles) Elevation: 156 m (512‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 580XP
“The Magnificent 8” route was rolled out with Zwift’s October 29, 2019 update, and was used as the route for the Halloween dinosaur costume scavenger hunt. It was released as an event-only route, and became an open route in January 2025. It’s a mostly-flat route, with the only significant climb being the reverse Hilly KOM.
The “Three Sisters” route covers Watopia’sthree oldest climbs (Hilly KOM, Epic KOM, and Volcano KOM) in a forward direction. While not as punishing as The Pretzel and some of Watopia’s toughest routes, it’ll still put you in the hurt locker with almost 3000′ of climbing!
Route Basics
Length: 48 km (29.8 miles) Elevation: 897 m (2,943‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 950XP
The “Three Sisters” route covers Watopia’sthree oldest climbs (Hilly KOM, Epic KOM, and Volcano KOM) in a forward direction. While not as punishing as The Pretzel and some of Watopia’s toughest routes, it’ll still put you in the hurt locker with almost 3000′ of climbing!
Originally published as a Rebel Route by Zwift Insider in February 2020, “Three Little Sisters” was suggested by Zwifter Gene Kruger. He named it in homage to Zwift’s official “Three Sisters” route which takes us over the Hilly, Volcano, and Epic KOMs.Three Little Sisters, in contrast, takes us over the Hilly, Titans Grove, and Volcano KOMs – in that order. Each new climb is longer than the one before, and we take the shortest possible route to get from climb to climb.Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
Route Basics
Length: 37.8 km (23.5 miles) Elevation: 434 m (1,424‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 755XP
Originally published as a Rebel Route by Zwift Insider in February 2020, “Three Little Sisters” was suggested by Zwifter Gene Kruger. He named it in homage to Zwift’s official “Three Sisters” route which takes us over the Hilly, Volcano, and Epic KOMs.Three Little Sisters, in contrast, takes us over the Hilly, Titans Grove, and Volcano KOMs – in that order. Each new climb is longer than the one before, and we take the shortest possible route to get from climb to climb.Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
“Tick Tock” is a clockwise loop covering Fuego Flats and portions of the Ocean Boulevard tube. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this route is flatter than Watopia Flat or Volcano Flat, with the only pitchy bits being in and out of Fuego Flats, and in and out of the ocean tunnel.
Route Basics
Length: 16.8 km (10.4 miles) Elevation: 53 m (174‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 388XP
“Tick Tock” is a clockwise loop covering Fuego Flats and portions of the Ocean Boulevard tube. Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this route is flatter than Watopia Flat or Volcano Flat, with the only pitchy bits being in and out of Fuego Flats, and in and out of the ocean tunnel.
Start flat. Climb. Descend. End flat. Even though the roads themselves twist and turn through a variety of landscapes, this route’s overall profile is pretty straightforward and could make for good racing. Can the climbers get away on the mountain? And if they do, can they stay away to the finish?
Route Basics
Length: 36.5 km (22.7 miles) Elevation: 460 m (1,509‘) Lead-In: 2.6 km (1.6 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 10+
Achievement Badge: 730XP
Start flat. Climb. Descend. End flat. Even though the roads themselves twist and turn through a variety of landscapes, this route’s overall profile is pretty straightforward and could make for good racing. Can the climbers get away on the mountain? And if they do, can they stay away to the finish?
Watopia’s “Tour of Fire and Ice” begins in the lava and ends in freezing snow above the treeline. It’s a tour of Watopian extremes!
The route begins at the Volcano banner, then takes you to where the Road to Sky route begins. Therefore, this route is basically Road to Sky with ~7 miles and a few hundred feet of climbing added.
Route Basics
Length: 25.3 km (15.7 miles) Elevation: 1167 m (3,829‘) Lead-In: 2.7 km (1.7 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 6+
Achievement Badge: 500XP
Watopia’s “Tour of Fire and Ice” begins in the lava and ends in freezing snow above the treeline. It’s a tour of Watopian extremes!
The route begins at the Volcano banner, then takes you to where the Road to Sky route begins. Therefore, this route is basically Road to Sky with ~7 miles and a few hundred feet of climbing added.
Originally published as Zwift Insider’s first Rebel Route in April 2019, “Triple Flat Loops” covers all three of Watopia’s “flat” routes, including Fuego Flats’ Tick Tock, Volcano Flat, and of course the classic Flat route.
Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
Route Basics
Length: 33.9 km (21.1 miles) Elevation: 134 m (440‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 680XP
Originally published as Zwift Insider’s first Rebel Route in April 2019, “Triple Flat Loops” covers all three of Watopia’s “flat” routes, including Fuego Flats’ Tick Tock, Volcano Flat, and of course the classic Flat route.
Zwift’s February 2022 update included this route as an event-only route that awards an achievement badge. The April 2022 update then made this route free ridable.
Released in Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion, Triple Twist gets its name from the three loops you complete as you ride around Jarvis Island, the Volcano, and the downtown/Hilly KOM area.
Route Basics
Length: 19.8 km (12.3 miles) Elevation: 180 m (591‘) Lead-In: 4.5 km (2.8 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 400XP
Released in Zwift’s November 2024 Jarvis expansion, Triple Twist gets its name from the three loops you complete as you ride around Jarvis Island, the Volcano, and the downtown/Hilly KOM area.
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Two Bridges Loop is the first route to use the new KOM Bypass – a short stretch of road which connects the Hilly KOM forward with the Hilly KOM reverse approximately halfway up each climb, effectively shortcutting both KOM segments.This route is simply an abbreviated version of the event-only Hilly Route Reverse, since we remove 2.1km of road and 20m of elevation gain by taking the KOM bypass.
Route Basics
Length: 7.1 km (4.4 miles) Elevation: 81 m (266‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 140XP
Introduced in Zwift’s December 2020 update, Two Bridges Loop is the first route to use the new KOM Bypass – a short stretch of road which connects the Hilly KOM forward with the Hilly KOM reverse approximately halfway up each climb, effectively shortcutting both KOM segments.This route is simply an abbreviated version of the event-only Hilly Route Reverse, since we remove 2.1km of road and 20m of elevation gain by taking the KOM bypass.
First came The Pretzel at 72km long and 1,333m of elevation. Then the Mega Pretzel arrived, 107km long with 1,642m of elevation. Now there’s a new king of the hill: “The Über Pretzel”.
Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this route covered every bit of tarmac available in Watopia at the time of its release – sometimes in both directions. It is most similar to the Mega Pretzel, but adds the Fuego Flats desert roads, the Radio Tower climb, and an Alpe du Zwift finish. Wow!
Route Basics
Length: 128.3 km (79.7 miles) Elevation: 2335 m (7,661‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Level 6+
Achievement Badge: 2560XP
First came The Pretzel at 72km long and 1,333m of elevation. Then the Mega Pretzel arrived, 107km long with 1,642m of elevation. Now there’s a new king of the hill: “The Über Pretzel”.
Released as part of Zwift’s Fuego Flats desert expansion, this route covered every bit of tarmac available in Watopia at the time of its release – sometimes in both directions. It is most similar to the Mega Pretzel, but adds the Fuego Flats desert roads, the Radio Tower climb, and an Alpe du Zwift finish. Wow!
Watopia’s “Volcano Flat” route is similar to the “Flat Route” except it turns at the Italian Village, bypassing the Esses and taking you around half of the volcano circuit clockwise.
Route Basics
Length: 12.3 km (7.6 miles) Elevation: 50 m (164‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 240XP
Watopia’s “Volcano Flat” route is similar to the “Flat Route” except it turns at the Italian Village, bypassing the Esses and taking you around half of the volcano circuit clockwise.
This route gets its name from Watopia’s Waistband since both routes cover the “waistband” encircling Watopia’s Volcano, Downtown, and Fuego Flats areas.
Waisted 8 traverses this loop in the opposite direction, though, and includes a loop of Jarvis Island for good measure.
Route Basics
Length: 30.7 km (19.1 miles) Elevation: 144 m (472‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 615XP
This route gets its name from Watopia’s Waistband since both routes cover the “waistband” encircling Watopia’s Volcano, Downtown, and Fuego Flats areas.
Waisted 8 traverses this loop in the opposite direction, though, and includes a loop of Jarvis Island for good measure.
Originally created as a “rebel route”, Watopia’s Waistband was launched in game as an event-only route, then became an open route in the December 2022 update. It’s called “Watopia’s Waistband” because it’s a perimeter route that nicely encircles key landmarks in Watopia proper including downtown Watopia, Fuego Flats, the Italian Villas, the Volcano, and the Fishing Village.
Route Basics
Length: 25.4 km (15.8 miles) Elevation: 96 m (315‘) Lead-In: 2.3 km (1.4 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction:
Achievement Badge: 555XP
Originally created as a “rebel route”, Watopia’s Waistband was launched in game as an event-only route, then became an open route in the December 2022 update. It’s called “Watopia’s Waistband” because it’s a perimeter route that nicely encircles key landmarks in Watopia proper including downtown Watopia, Fuego Flats, the Italian Villas, the Volcano, and the Fishing Village.
Released in October 2025 to host Zwift Unlocked events, Watts of the Wild maps out as three interconnected loops encompassing Jarvis Island, Fuego Flats/Titans Grove, and Watopia proper.
Route Basics
Length: 42 km (26.1 miles) Elevation: 309 m (1,014‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 840XP
Released in October 2025 to host Zwift Unlocked events, Watts of the Wild maps out as three interconnected loops encompassing Jarvis Island, Fuego Flats/Titans Grove, and Watopia proper.
Watopia’s “Whole Lotta Lava” began as an event-only route on Zwift, meaning it was only available for use in events and could not be ridden on a freeride or individual workout. But that changed around May 11, 2019, when Zwift released an update which made this challenging route available in-game.
Route Basics
Length: 12.3 km (7.6 miles) Elevation: 160 m (525‘) Lead-In: 4.8 km (3.0 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 240XP
Watopia’s “Whole Lotta Lava” began as an event-only route on Zwift, meaning it was only available for use in events and could not be ridden on a freeride or individual workout. But that changed around May 11, 2019, when Zwift released an update which made this challenging route available in-game.
Released as the final route for Zwift Games 2025, ZG25 Queen is certainly the Queen stage for the series, boasting a length and elevation much greater than the other four Zwift Games 2025 routes.
Route Basics
Length: 44.6 km (27.7 miles) Elevation: 896 m (2,940‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: none
Achievement Badge: 895XP
Released as the final route for Zwift Games 2025, ZG25 Queen is certainly the Queen stage for the series, boasting a length and elevation much greater than the other four Zwift Games 2025 routes.
The following routes are only used for events. You cannot choose these routes from your ride screen, but instead must join an event using the route in order to ride it.
The Bambino Fondo is one of three fondo routes Zwift unveiled in January 2019 for its Zwift fondo series. Currently these are event-only routes, meaning they are only available for use in events and cannot be ridden on a freeride or individual workout.
Route Basics
Length: 52.1 km (32.4 miles) Elevation: 581 m (1,906‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
The Bambino Fondo is one of three fondo routes Zwift unveiled in January 2019 for its Zwift fondo series. Currently these are event-only routes, meaning they are only available for use in events and cannot be ridden on a freeride or individual workout.
The Gran Fondo is the longest of the three fondo routes Zwift unveiled in January 2019 for its Zwift fondo series. These are event-only routes, meaning they are only available for use in events and cannot be ridden on a freeride or individual workout.
Route Basics
Length: 97.3 km (60.5 miles) Elevation: 1196 m (3,924‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
The Gran Fondo is the longest of the three fondo routes Zwift unveiled in January 2019 for its Zwift fondo series. These are event-only routes, meaning they are only available for use in events and cannot be ridden on a freeride or individual workout.
Introduced for Tour of Watopia 2022, this route covers the upper half of the Jungle Circuit and is one of the few routes in Zwift which offers a route badge while being event-only.
Route Basics
Length: 6.1 km (3.8 miles) Elevation: 75 m (246‘) Lead-In: 4.1 km (2.5 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: 125XP
Introduced for Tour of Watopia 2022, this route covers the upper half of the Jungle Circuit and is one of the few routes in Zwift which offers a route badge while being event-only.
Released in November 2025 to support stage 3 of Zwift Camp: Build, this route is simply four laps of the well-known Volcano Circuit with a finish up the Jarvis KOM.
Route Basics
Length: 23.3 km (14.5 miles) Elevation: 149 m (489‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: 465XP
Released in November 2025 to support stage 3 of Zwift Camp: Build, this route is simply four laps of the well-known Volcano Circuit with a finish up the Jarvis KOM.
This is a lollipop route, meaning you start with a lead-in then remain on the circuit portion until your legs fall off. This is the event-only reverse version of the popular Jungle Circuit route.
Route Basics
Length: 7.9 km (4.9 miles) Elevation: 83 m (272‘) Lead-In: 6.3 km (3.9 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
This is a lollipop route, meaning you start with a lead-in then remain on the circuit portion until your legs fall off. This is the event-only reverse version of the popular Jungle Circuit route.
The Medio Fondo is one of three fondo routes Zwift unveiled in January 2019 for its Zwift fondo series. Currently these are event-only routes, meaning they are only available for use in events and cannot be ridden on a freeride or individual workout.
Route Basics
Length: 72.9 km (45.3 miles) Elevation: 1010 m (3,314‘) Lead-In: 0.5 km (0.3 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
The Medio Fondo is one of three fondo routes Zwift unveiled in January 2019 for its Zwift fondo series. Currently these are event-only routes, meaning they are only available for use in events and cannot be ridden on a freeride or individual workout.
This event-only, reverse version of Road to Ruins still takes you out to the Mayan Jungle on the same road, but has you loop the Jungle Circuit in the other direction.
Route Basics
Length: 29.6 km (18.4 miles) Elevation: 276 m (906‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
This event-only, reverse version of Road to Ruins still takes you out to the Mayan Jungle on the same road, but has you loop the Jungle Circuit in the other direction.
Watopia’s “Seaside Sprint” began as a Rebel Route in August 2019. Zwift made it an official (albeit event-only) route in its February 2020 update.
At only 6.3km (3.9 miles) this is the shortest Watopia loop which includes a sprint segment, making it perfect for races that include sprint points or for group rides with interval efforts like Sprintapalooza. As a route, this is the smallest loop on Watopia apart from Volcano Circuit and Volcano Circuit CCW.
Route Basics
Length: 6.4 km (4.0 miles) Elevation: 46 m (151‘) Lead-In: 2.8 km (1.7 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
Watopia’s “Seaside Sprint” began as a Rebel Route in August 2019. Zwift made it an official (albeit event-only) route in its February 2020 update.
At only 6.3km (3.9 miles) this is the shortest Watopia loop which includes a sprint segment, making it perfect for races that include sprint points or for group rides with interval efforts like Sprintapalooza. As a route, this is the smallest loop on Watopia apart from Volcano Circuit and Volcano Circuit CCW.
The third in a series of “Three Sisters” Watopia routes (see Three Sisters and Three Little Sisters), Three Step Sisters takes us on a progressive journey over three climbs the other two routes don’t touch: the Jarvis KOM Reverse, the base of the Epic KOM Reverse, and The Grade.
This was added to the game as an event-only route in early December 2025, for use in Zwift Games 2026. If Zwift sticks to recent patterns, this route will become free-rideable soon after that series ends.
Route Basics
Length: 37.9 km (23.5 miles) Elevation: 586 m (1,923‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: 755XP
The third in a series of “Three Sisters” Watopia routes (see Three Sisters and Three Little Sisters), Three Step Sisters takes us on a progressive journey over three climbs the other two routes don’t touch: the Jarvis KOM Reverse, the base of the Epic KOM Reverse, and The Grade.
This was added to the game as an event-only route in early December 2025, for use in Zwift Games 2026. If Zwift sticks to recent patterns, this route will become free-rideable soon after that series ends.
This event-only route is basically 1.5 laps of the Mountain Route. It begins in downtown Watopia and heads straight to the Epic KOM, including the lovely “bonus climb” to the radio tower. Then we descend down to Watopia, and come up the Epic KOM again, ending at the KOM banner.
Route Basics
Length: 43.4 km (27.0 miles) Elevation: 1118 m (3,668‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Achievement Badge: none
This event-only route is basically 1.5 laps of the Mountain Route. It begins in downtown Watopia and heads straight to the Epic KOM, including the lovely “bonus climb” to the radio tower. Then we descend down to Watopia, and come up the Epic KOM again, ending at the KOM banner.
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Bambino Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s similar in length to the original Bambino Fondo route, but with around 30% less elevation covering a very different set of roads.
Route Basics
Length: 53.1 km (33.0 miles) Elevation: 398 m (1,306‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Bambino Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s similar in length to the original Bambino Fondo route, but with around 30% less elevation covering a very different set of roads.
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Medio Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s similar in length and elevation to the original Medio Fondo route, but covers lots of new roads along the way.
Route Basics
Length: 79.2 km (49.2 miles) Elevation: 922 m (3,025‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Medio Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s similar in length and elevation to the original Medio Fondo route, but covers lots of new roads along the way.
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Gran Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s very similar in length and elevation to the original Gran Fondo route, but covers lots of new roads and ends on the Epic KOM Reverse instead of Epic KOM Forward.
Route Basics
Length: 92.5 km (57.5 miles) Elevation: 1116 m (3,661‘) Lead-In: 0.2 km (0.1 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Event Only
Released in Zwift’s December 2021 update, the 2022 Gran Fondo route was created to host the monthly Zwift Fondo Series 2022. It’s very similar in length and elevation to the original Gran Fondo route, but covers lots of new roads and ends on the Epic KOM Reverse instead of Epic KOM Forward.
Added to the game in August 2024, Epic Run begins at the top of The Grade and takes runners up to Radio Tower KOM and back through the Epic KOM banner for the finish.
Route Basics
Length: 6.2 km (3.9 miles) Elevation: 296 m (971‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Run Only
Added to the game in August 2024, Epic Run begins at the top of The Grade and takes runners up to Radio Tower KOM and back through the Epic KOM banner for the finish.
“Jon’s Route” is named after the game’s creator/head developer Jon Mayfield, who is an avid runner himself. At 12.5km it is the longest run route available at the time of the September 30, 2018 update.
Route Basics
Length: 12.53 km (7.8 miles) Elevation: 0 m (‘) Lead-In: 0.3 km (0.2 miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Run Only
“Jon’s Route” is named after the game’s creator/head developer Jon Mayfield, who is an avid runner himself. At 12.5km it is the longest run route available at the time of the September 30, 2018 update.
Added to the game in August 2024, Titans Run covers a good portion of the northern section of Titans Grove, including climbing and descending the Titans KOM Reverse.
Route Basics
Length: 5.9 km (3.7 miles) Elevation: 122 m (400‘) Lead-In: 0 km ( miles) Map: Watopia
Restriction: Run Only
Added to the game in August 2024, Titans Run covers a good portion of the northern section of Titans Grove, including climbing and descending the Titans KOM Reverse.
