How long is the lightning bolt route in Rio de Janeiro?

The lightning bolt covers 17.5 km with 457 m of ascent and 457 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 132 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 2 km east to west and 3 km north to south across Rio de Janeiro.

Where does the route start?

The start point is at -22.83873, -43.27888 — roughly 12.4 km north-west of the centre of Rio de Janeiro. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.

Brazil › Rio de Janeiro › GPS art route

Lightning bolt GPS Art Running Route in Rio de Janeiro — 17.5 km

A 17.5 km loop through Rio de Janeiro that draws a lightning bolt when you upload it to Strava. The line follows public streets and paths, climbs 457 m in total, and covers a footprint about 2 km wide by 3 km tall.

Navigate it in the app

Distance17.5 km

Elevation gain457 m

Elevation loss457 m

Estimated time132 min

DifficultyHard

Average gradient2.6%

Route map and elevation

Elevation profile

Loading elevation…

Along the line: 457 m of ascent and 457 m of descent across 17.5 km, an average gradient of 2.6%.

Start point: -22.83873, -43.27888 — about 12.4 km north-west of the centre of Rio de Janeiro. 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 south	+47 m	12–59 m
km 2	Runs south	-30 m	27–73 m
km 3	Runs east-south-east	-1 m	26–34 m
km 4	Runs south-south-west	+107 m	28–146 m
km 5	Runs south-south-east	-44 m	51–135 m
km 6	Runs north-north-east	-52 m	39–103 m
km 7	Runs east	-13 m	25–39 m
km 8	Runs south-south-east	+5 m	25–63 m
km 9	Runs south-east	+50 m	20–80 m
km 10	Runs north-north-east	-67 m	13–85 m
km 11	Runs north-north-west	+8 m	13–25 m
km 12	Runs north-north-east	-9 m	12–22 m
km 13	Runs north-north-west	-1 m	11–14 m
km 14	Runs west	+8 m	9–19 m
km 15	Runs south-west	+28 m	19–47 m
km 16	Runs north-north-west	-19 m	28–51 m
km 17	Runs north-north-west	-17 m	11–28 m
km 17.5	Runs west-south-west	+2 m	10–12 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.

0.01 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.
0.17 km — turn left, then continue south-south-east.
0.35 km — turn sharp right, then continue west.
0.49 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.
1.09 km — turn left, then continue south-east.
1.41 km — turn sharp right, then continue west-north-west.
1.62 km — turn sharp left, then continue south-south-east.
1.76 km — turn sharp right, then continue south-south-east.
2.04 km — turn sharp left, then continue east-south-east.
2.16 km — turn left, then continue south-east.
2.30 km — turn left, then continue east-north-east.
2.58 km — turn right, then continue east-south-east.
2.71 km — turn left, then continue north-east.
2.96 km — turn sharp right, then continue west-south-west.
3.22 km — turn right, then continue west.
3.34 km — turn left, then continue south-south-east.
3.48 km — turn left, then continue south-east.
3.60 km — turn sharp left, then continue south-east.
3.81 km — turn right, then continue south.
4.03 km — turn left, then continue south-south-west.
4.15 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.
4.29 km — turn left, then continue south-south-east.
4.45 km — turn right, then continue south.
4.61 km — turn left, then continue east-south-east.

Difficulty and terrain

Hard. Roughly 26 m of climb per kilometre across 17.5 km. Treat it as a hill session and allow extra time on the steeper sections.

Surface: Urban roads, park paths, and mixed city surfaces.

Safety: Check traffic flow, sidewalks, and route lighting before your run.

Best months: Year-round, based on local weather and race calendar.

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 lightning bolt appears on your activity map.

Other GPS art routes in Rio de Janeiro

All 15 GPS art routes in Rio de Janeiro

Questions about this route

How long is the lightning bolt route in Rio de Janeiro?: The lightning bolt covers 17.5 km with 457 m of ascent and 457 m of descent. At a steady 6:00/km, allow about 132 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 2 km east to west and 3 km north to south across Rio de Janeiro.
Where does the route start?: The start point is at -22.83873, -43.27888 — roughly 12.4 km north-west of the centre of Rio de Janeiro. The route is a loop, so you can begin anywhere along the line.