Do you ever find yourself standing at the base of a hill, wondering just how high up the summit is? Or maybe you’re planning a hiking trip and want to know the terrain beforehand. Whatever your reasons, checking elevation has never been easier—especially with the tools already built into Google Maps on desktop. Although not as straightforward as finding a route or business, locating elevation data on Google Maps can open up a whole new perspective on geography and travel planning.
Why Elevation Matters
Elevation data is crucial for a variety of activities. Hikers and bikers can use it to anticipate difficulty. Real estate buyers might want to know how high a property is relative to sea level. Scientists and geographers refer to elevation regularly when studying landforms and natural environments. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech wizard to find this information—just follow a few easy steps.
Using Terrain View to See Elevation
The simplest way to get an idea of elevation is to switch on the terrain layer in Google Maps. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to maps.google.com on your desktop browser.
- In the bottom-left corner, click the “Layers” icon (usually looks like a stack of squares).
- Select the “Terrain” option from the menu that appears.
- Now, zoom into the area you’re interested in. Elevation contour lines will begin to appear on the map.
These contour lines provide approximate elevation levels. They’re often labeled in feet or meters depending on your regional settings. Although they won’t give you pinpoint elevation readings, they’re a great starting point for getting a general idea of the lay of the land.
Get Precise Elevation with Google Earth Integration
If you need more accurate numbers, Google Earth is your next best friend. It’s integrated with Google’s ecosystem, and you can even open it within your browser. Here’s how to use it for elevation:
- Visit earth.google.com.
- Search for the location you’re interested in by entering an address or place name into the search box.
- Zoom into your desired region and click on any point on the map.
At the bottom right corner of the screen, you’ll see a footer that displays several pieces of information. One of them is the elevation of your selected point, typically shown in meters or feet above sea level. This allows you to get a precise reading with minimal fuss.
Custom Elevation Profiles: Great for Hikers and Bikers
Another way to find elevation information is through custom routes. Whether you’re planning a hike or bike ride, Google Maps has features that estimate elevation gain and loss along a planned route:
- Click the “Directions” button in Google Maps and enter your starting location and destination.
- Choose the walking or biking icon instead of the car for more terrain-relevant information.
- Once the route is displayed, Google Maps often shows an elevation chart at the bottom, especially for longer routes or those with significant hills.
This chart visually represents the ups and downs along the route and provides numerical values for maximum elevation and elevation gain. It’s incredibly useful for planning fitness routines or challenging hikes without stepping foot outside.
Limitations to Consider
While Google Maps is incredibly powerful, it’s not perfect. Some limitations include:
- Contour lines are only visible at certain zoom levels.
- Not all areas have detailed elevation data, particularly remote or less-populated regions.
- Real-time elevation data (e.g., altitude based on your elevation above sea level while driving) is not available on the desktop version.
For advanced elevation data, including historical elevation changes or 3D terrain models, specialized GIS software or other apps such as Gaia GPS or AllTrails may be more appropriate.
In Summary
Finding elevation on Google Maps from your desktop is both interesting and useful. Whether you’re exploring out of curiosity, planning a trip, or conducting more formal research, the combination of terrain layers, Google Earth integration, and elevation profiles provides multiple ways to learn more about the world’s vertical dimensions.
So go ahead—dive into Google Maps, turn on terrain view, and see the world from a higher perspective!