How long is the rocket route in Quito?

The rocket covers 18.5 km with 319 m of ascent and 294 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 130 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 3.8 km east to west and 2.1 km north to south across Quito.

Where does the route start?

The start point is at -0.27193, -78.51897 — roughly 4.7 km south of the centre of Quito. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.

Ecuador › Quito › GPS art route

Rocket GPS Art Running Route in Quito — 18.5 km

A 18.5 km loop through Quito that draws a rocket when you upload it to Strava. The line follows public streets and paths, climbs 319 m in total, and covers a footprint about 3.8 km wide by 2.1 km tall.

Navigate it in the app

Distance18.5 km

Elevation gain319 m

Elevation loss294 m

Estimated time130 min

DifficultyChallenging

Average gradient1.7%

Route map and elevation

Elevation profile

Loading elevation…

Along the line: 319 m of ascent and 294 m of descent across 18.5 km, an average gradient of 1.7%.

Start point: -0.27193, -78.51897 — about 4.7 km south of the centre of Quito. 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 west	-93 m	2888–2981 m
km 2	Runs west-north-west	-31 m	2857–2888 m
km 3	Runs west	-13 m	2844–2857 m
km 4	Runs west-north-west	+5 m	2844–2850 m
km 5	Runs west	+6 m	2850–2856 m
km 6	Runs south-south-east	-1 m	2854–2857 m
km 7	Runs west-south-west	+6 m	2854–2860 m
km 8	Runs west-south-west	+19 m	2860–2878 m
km 9	Runs south-south-east	+5 m	2878–2891 m
km 10	Runs east	-11 m	2870–2884 m
km 11	Runs east	-10 m	2863–2875 m
km 12	Runs south	+5 m	2859–2868 m
km 13	Runs east-south-east	-1 m	2865–2869 m
km 14	Runs north-east	-11 m	2855–2867 m
km 15	Runs east-north-east	+69 m	2854–2937 m
km 16	Runs east-north-east	-16 m	2879–2925 m
km 17	Runs north-east	+34 m	2908–2963 m
km 18	Runs north-east	+22 m	2942–2978 m
km 18.5	Runs east	+41 m	2965–3006 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.

0.06 km — turn right, then continue west.
0.27 km — turn left, then continue north-west.
0.46 km — turn sharp right, then continue north.
0.58 km — turn left, then continue west-south-west.
0.71 km — turn sharp right, then continue north.
0.85 km — turn left, then continue north-west.
1.10 km — turn sharp right, then continue north-north-west.
1.30 km — turn left, then continue west.
1.51 km — turn left, then continue west-north-west.
1.83 km — turn left, then continue south-west.
1.99 km — turn right, then continue west-north-west.
2.21 km — turn sharp left, then continue south-south-west.
2.39 km — turn right, then continue west-south-west.
2.52 km — turn sharp right, then continue north.
2.66 km — turn sharp left, then continue west-south-west.
2.79 km — turn right, then continue west-north-west.
3.24 km — turn right, then continue north-north-west.
3.36 km — turn left, then continue west.
3.57 km — turn right, then continue north-west.
3.85 km — turn right, then continue north-north-west.
4.07 km — turn left, then continue west-south-west.
4.31 km — turn left, then continue west-south-west.
4.43 km — turn right, then continue north-west.
4.55 km — turn left, then continue south-west.

Difficulty and terrain

Challenging. About 17 m of climb per kilometre. Rolling terrain that rewards steady effort rather than even pacing.

Best months: June to September: average highs of 17–20°C and about 103 mm of rain a month (Open-Meteo historical archive 2020-2024).

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 rocket appears on your activity map.

Other GPS art routes in Quito

All 19 GPS art routes in Quito

Questions about this route

How long is the rocket route in Quito?: The rocket covers 18.5 km with 319 m of ascent and 294 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 130 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 3.8 km east to west and 2.1 km north to south across Quito.
Where does the route start?: The start point is at -0.27193, -78.51897 — roughly 4.7 km south of the centre of Quito. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.