Zwift Route Selection Guide: Choosing the Best Virtual Courses by Training Goal

Zwift features over one hundred routes spread across multiple virtual worlds. With such a wealth of options, how do you pick the most suitable route based on your training goals? This guide will recommend the best virtual courses according to different training needs.

Zwift World Overview

Watopia

Zwift’s flagship world, open year-round, featuring the most diverse terrain:

• Flat roads at sea level
• Rolling hill country
• Iconic climbs such as Epic KOM and Alpe du Zwift
• Diverse landscapes including desert, jungle, and volcano
• Route lengths ranging from 5 km to over 100 km

Other Worlds

The remaining worlds rotate on a schedule:

• London: Mostly flat, ideal for racing and time trials
• New York: Rolling terrain through Central Park and Manhattan
• Innsbruck: Classic Alpine climbs
• Yorkshire: Continuous rolling hills through the English countryside
• Richmond: American road race style
• France: French terrain modeled after Tour de France routes
• Paris: Flat course along the Champs-Élysées
• Makuri Islands: Diverse Japanese-style terrain
• Scotland: Challenging terrain in the Scottish Highlands

Route Recommendations by Training Goal

Aerobic Endurance Training (Zone 2 Long Rides)

Long aerobic endurance sessions require relatively flat and consistent routes, avoiding frequent climbs that interrupt steady power output.

Recommended Routes:

Tempus Fugit (Watopia)

• Distance: 17.3 km
• Elevation gain: Nearly zero
• Features: Straight desert road with zero interruptions
• Why it suits: Extremely flat, making it very easy to maintain steady power. Repeat laps to reach your target mileage. The downside is the scenery is extremely monotonous—pair it with a video or podcast.

Tick Tock (Watopia)

• Distance: 25.1 km
• Elevation gain: Very low
• Features: Flat coastal route
• Why it suits: Slightly more variation than Tempus Fugit with better scenery, while still being easy to maintain steady output.

Greater London Flat (London)

• Distance: 11.6 km
• Elevation gain: Very low
• Features: Flat route passing London landmarks
• Why it suits: More scenic variety, ideal for long Zone 2 training without getting bored.

Sweet Spot Training

Sweet spot training requires routes that can sustain steady high power, with occasional small undulations adding variety without breaking the rhythm.

Recommended Routes:

Sand And Sequoias (Watopia)

• Distance: 26.2 km
• Elevation gain: Moderate to low
• Features: Loop route through desert and redwood forests
• Why it suits: Gentle terrain undulations with enough flat sections to maintain target power, plus mild rolling sections to add training variety.

The London Loop (London)

• Distance: 15.3 km
• Elevation gain: Low to moderate
• Features: Includes the short climb of Box Hill
• Why it suits: You can train sweet spot on the flat sections, while the climb naturally pushes power higher, providing good training stimulus.

Climbing Training

Building climbing ability requires long, sustained uphill sections.

Recommended Routes:

Alpe du Zwift (Road to Sky, Watopia)

• Distance: Approximately 12.2 km to the summit
• Elevation gain: 1,036 m
• Classic switchback climb with 21 turns
• Average gradient of approximately 8.5%
• Why it suits: This is the most iconic climb in Zwift, modeled after Alpe d’Huez. It takes roughly 40–70 minutes depending on ability, making it an excellent venue for threshold and VO2max climbing workouts. Reaching the summit offers a chance to earn special wheel rewards.

Epic KOM (Watopia)

• Distance: Approximately 9.1 km (single climb)
• Elevation gain: Approximately 420 m
• Why it suits: Shorter than Alpe du Zwift, ideal for repeated threshold climbing intervals. More varied gradients simulate the rhythm of real-world climbing.

Innsbruck KOM (Innsbruck)

• Distance: Approximately 7.5 km
• Elevation gain: Approximately 350 m
• Why it suits: More consistent gradient, suitable for steady-power climbing training. The environment simulates the Alps with magnificent scenery.

VO2max Interval Training

Short, steep climbs or rolling routes are ideal for interval training.

Recommended Routes:

Volcano Circuit (Watopia)

• Distance: 4.1 km
• Elevation gain: Low
• Features: Short loop circling the volcano
• Why it suits: The short loop design is perfect for repeated intervals. The route has mild undulations that naturally push power higher on the climbs and allow recovery on the descents.

Hilly Route (Watopia)

• Distance: 9.2 km
• Elevation gain: Moderate
• Features: Continuous rolling terrain
• Why it suits: The natural alternation of climbs and descents is well suited for organic interval training.

Race Simulation

Preparing for races requires familiarity with commonly used race routes.

Recommended Routes:

Crit City (Watopia Downtown)

• Distance: Approximately 1.3 km
• Elevation gain: Very low
• Features: Short-loop criterium course
• Why it suits: Simulates the high-intensity, short-distance battles of criterium racing. Trains your positioning within the pack and sprint timing judgment.

Innsbruck UCI Circuit

• Distance: Approximately 9 km
• Elevation gain: Moderate
• Features: 2018 UCI World Championship course
• Why it suits: A classic road race route featuring climbs, descents, and flat sprint sections—ideal for comprehensive race simulation.

Using Routes to Support Structured Training

Route Selection in ERG Mode

When using ERG mode for structured training, route terrain does not affect your power output, so the focus of route selection is on:

• Scenery and enjoyment: Choose scenery you like to make the session more pleasant
• Route length: Choose a route that covers your entire training duration
• Social factors: Choosing popular routes lets you see more virtual riders, adding a sense of presence

Route Selection in SIM Mode

In SIM mode, terrain directly affects your training experience:

• Steady-power training: Choose flat routes
• Climbing intervals: Choose routes with repeated climb sections
• Race pace practice: Choose terrain similar to your target race

Route Badges and Achievement System

Completing specific routes unlocks badges and equipment rewards, which is another factor to consider when choosing routes:

• Route Badges: Earn XP rewards for completing new routes
• Challenge Missions: Periodic riding challenge events
• Level Unlocks: Level up to unlock new frames and wheels

Incorporating badge collection into your training plan can add extra motivation and a sense of purpose.

Practical Tips for Route Selection

1. Check the world schedule before training: Non-Watopia worlds rotate on a schedule, so confirm which worlds are open on the day of your session
2. Use external resources like Zwift Insider: Look up detailed route information and ride reports
3. Log your route experiences: Build a personal route notebook, recording which routes suit which workouts
4. Try new routes: Regularly try new routes to keep training fresh
5. Join group rides: Participating in group rides lets you experience routes you might not normally choose

Conclusion

Route selection may seem like a minor detail, but its impact on training experience and results should not be underestimated. The right route can make your training more efficient, more enjoyable, and more motivating. Take the time to understand the characteristics of each route and make informed choices based on your training goals for the day. You’ll find that the world of Zwift is far richer and more diverse than you ever imagined.

Related Reading

• The Complete Guide to Zwift Virtual Events: The Best Way to Stay Competitive in Winter
• The Complete Guide to Stationary Trainers: Zwift vs. TrainerRoad Comparison
• Zwift Racing and Online Competition: The Competitive Future of Virtual Cycling
• The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Zwift Indoor Training: Equipment Selection, Workout Plans, and Group Rides