Mapping/GPS/Terrain question

[ArtFox]

Currently my Garmin will choose between either shortest distance or shortest time when navigating.

Are there any online or portable trip planners or GPS devices that can plot a route based on incline/elevation/terrain?

Suppose somebody wanted to hike a mountain ridge. Is there a product that ascertains the best path based on elevation?

[theholycow]

Total elevation change is going to be the same regardles of how you get there. For FE purposes, hilly routes are probably better.

I'd love if there was such a routing product, though; I'd rather bicycle on level land...

[ArtFox]

http://www.toporoute.com

Works via Google maps. Found the link on an online Bicycling club. It does not plan routes. Rather it evaluates the elevation change of the track you plot.

As far as hills go, like flying acrobatics, it is all about exchanging NRG.
Use alot of energy to climb but coast down the other side. It will be the net gain or loss of elevation between home and destination that should dertermine whether it was all downhill...

[ArtFox]

http://www.mapmyride.com/fullscreen