How long is the top hat route in Madrid?

The top hat covers 5.2 km with 70 m of ascent and 70 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 36 minutes plus stops.

Do I need a paid plan to download the GPX?

Yes. The GPX file is included with a ShapeMiles subscription — sign in and subscribe to download it. The file works with Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Strava and any app that reads GPX, and your subscription also covers turn-by-turn navigation in the app and route generation for your own city. The map, climb figures and kilometre splits on this page are free to view; the interactive elevation profile is part of the subscription too.

How accurate is the drawing?

The track follows real, runnable streets and paths, so the shape is recognisable once uploaded to Strava. The drawing spans about 1.3 km east to west and 1.2 km north to south across Madrid.

Where does the route start?

The start point is at 40.41271, -3.70878 — roughly 0.6 km west-south-west of the centre of Madrid. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.

Spain › Madrid › GPS art route

Top hat GPS Art Running Route in Madrid — 5.2 km

A 5.2 km loop through Madrid that draws a top hat when you upload it to Strava. The line follows public streets and paths, climbs 70 m in total, and covers a footprint about 1.3 km wide by 1.2 km tall.

Navigate it in the app

Distance5.2 km

Elevation gain70 m

Elevation loss70 m

Estimated time36 min

DifficultyChallenging

Average gradient1.3%

Route map and elevation

Elevation profile

Loading elevation…

Along the line: 70 m of ascent and 70 m of descent across 5.2 km, an average gradient of 1.3%.

Start point: 40.41271, -3.70878 — about 0.6 km west-south-west of the centre of Madrid. It is a closed loop, so any point on the line works as a start.

Kilometre by kilometre

Split	Heading	Elevation change	Range
km 1	Runs east-south-east	+5 m	642–659 m
km 2	Runs south-east	-23 m	620–647 m
km 3	Runs west-south-west	-19 m	605–624 m
km 4	Runs north-west	+7 m	603–618 m
km 5	Runs north-north-west	+33 m	612–645 m
km 5.2	Runs north-east	-2 m	642–645 m

Turn-by-turn outline

The 24 direction changes below are the ones that define the drawing. Hitting them accurately matters more than pace — the shape only reads well if the corners are sharp.

0.03 km — turn left, then continue north-east.
0.16 km — turn left, then continue north.
0.48 km — turn right, then continue east-south-east.
0.63 km — turn right, then continue south.
0.79 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.
1.24 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.
1.46 km — turn left, then continue east-north-east.
1.65 km — turn right, then continue east-south-east.
1.82 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.
2.01 km — turn left, then continue south.
2.13 km — turn right, then continue west-south-west.
2.41 km — turn left, then continue south-south-west.
2.66 km — turn left, then continue south-south-east.
2.82 km — turn right, then continue north-west.
2.98 km — turn sharp left, then continue south-south-east.
3.19 km — turn right, then continue west-north-west.
3.47 km — turn right, then continue north-north-west.
3.62 km — turn sharp right, then continue east-south-east.
3.86 km — turn sharp left, then continue north.
3.99 km — turn left, then continue west-north-west.
4.15 km — turn left, then continue north.
4.44 km — turn left, then continue north-west.
4.59 km — turn right, then continue north.
4.79 km — turn right, then continue north-east.

Difficulty and terrain

Challenging. About 13 m of climb per kilometre. Rolling terrain that rewards steady effort rather than even pacing.

Surface: Mostly urban roads and mixed city surfaces.

Safety: Check route details and local traffic conditions before running GPS art routes.

Best months: Depends on city weather and season.

How to run this shape

Download the GPX file with your subscription and load it onto your watch, or open it in the ShapeMiles app.
Start anywhere on the loop — beginning near a landmark makes the finish easier to find.
Keep GPS recording continuous. Pausing mid-run leaves straight lines that cut across the drawing.
Follow the corners precisely; short detours are what blur the shape.
Upload to Strava and the top hat appears on your activity map.

Questions about this route

How long is the top hat route in Madrid?: The top hat covers 5.2 km with 70 m of ascent and 70 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 36 minutes plus stops.
Do I need a paid plan to download the GPX?: Yes. The GPX file is included with a ShapeMiles subscription — sign in and subscribe to download it. The file works with Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Strava and any app that reads GPX, and your subscription also covers turn-by-turn navigation in the app and route generation for your own city. The map, climb figures and kilometre splits on this page are free to view; the interactive elevation profile is part of the subscription too.
How accurate is the drawing?: The track follows real, runnable streets and paths, so the shape is recognisable once uploaded to Strava. The drawing spans about 1.3 km east to west and 1.2 km north to south across Madrid.
Where does the route start?: The start point is at 40.41271, -3.70878 — roughly 0.6 km west-south-west of the centre of Madrid. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.