What a Strava segment is and why it matters for your privacy
A Strava segment is a section of a route that Strava users can compete on — usually a hill, a stretch of road, or a loop through your neighborhood. When you create a segment, you're drawing a boundary on the map and telling Strava's servers "track how fast people go here." Strava then ranks everyone who runs or cycles that route, creating a leaderboard.
This matters for privacy because creating a segment broadcasts information about where you exercise regularly. If you create a segment on the quiet street where you run every morning, or the bike path you take to work, you're telling Strava (and anyone who looks at the segment) that this route matters to you. Strava has already shown your location data to people you don't know — segment creation is one of the ways that happens.
You should know upfront: you cannot create a segment and keep it completely private. Once it exists, other Strava users can see it and add their own times to it. What you can control is whether the segment shows up in search results, whether it appears on the main map, and whether you want to create it at all.
Key Takeaways
- Segments are visible to all Strava users once created, and you cannot delete a segment you made — only hide it from search and the map.
- Creating a segment on a route you use regularly tells Strava and other users that you exercise in that location on a pattern they can track.
- Before creating a segment, check whether one already exists on that route — duplicates clutter the app and expose the same location data twice.
- If you want to hide a segment you created, go to the segment page, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Hide Segment" — this removes it from search and the map but does not erase it.
How to create a segment step by step
Open the Strava app and go to the activity (a run, ride, or other workout) that contains the route you want to turn into a segment. Tap the activity to open it fully. Scroll down until you see the map of your route.
On the map, you'll see a button or option to create a segment — the exact label varies by app version, but it's usually near the top of the map or in a menu. Tap it. Strava will ask you to mark the start and end points of your segment by dragging two pins on the map. The start pin is where the segment begins; the end pin is where it ends. Make sure both pins are on the actual route you ran or cycled, not floating in empty space.
Once you've placed both pins, Strava shows you a preview of the segment. Check that it covers the section of route you intended. Then tap "Create" or "Save." Strava will ask you to name the segment — use something clear like "Riverside Hill" or "Park Loop," not something that identifies your home or workplace. Tap "Create Segment" to finish.
The segment now exists and is visible to all Strava users. Other people can add their times to it, and it will appear in Strava's segment search and on the map. You cannot undo this or delete the segment entirely, but you can hide it (see below).
Check for duplicate segments before you create
Before you create a segment, search Strava to see if one already exists on that same route. Open the Strava app and use the search bar to look for the area or route name. Scroll through the results to see if a segment already covers the section you're thinking of.
If a segment already exists, don't create a duplicate. Duplicates fragment the leaderboard, confuse other users, and expose the same location data multiple times over. If the existing segment is close but not quite right — for example, it starts or ends in a slightly different spot — you can still add your time to it rather than creating a new one.
If no segment exists and you decide to create one, keep the name generic. Avoid names that reveal your home address, workplace, or the fact that you pass a specific building every day. "Elm Street Hill" is better than "My Morning Run Past the Office."
How to hide a segment you created
If you've created a segment and later decide you don't want it visible, you can hide it. Go to the segment page (search for it by name in the Strava app). Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Select "Hide Segment" from the menu.
Hiding a segment removes it from search results and from the main Strava map. Other users won't see it when they browse segments in your area. However, the segment still exists in Strava's database — people who already added times to it can still see their efforts on it, and if someone has the direct link, they can still view it.
You cannot fully delete a segment you created. If you want it gone completely, contact Strava support and explain why — they may remove it if it violates their terms (for example, if it's on private property or if you created it to expose someone's location). For most cases, hiding is the only option.
What happens when you create a segment
The moment you create a segment, Strava adds it to its map and makes it searchable. Strava's algorithm will show it to users who run or cycle in that area. If your segment becomes popular, it may appear in "Trending Segments" or be recommended to users planning routes nearby.
Creating a segment also creates a permanent record that you exercise on that route. Strava stores this data and can use it for analytics, to show you statistics, and to recommend routes to other users. If your Strava profile is public, anyone can visit your profile, see the segments you've created, and infer where and when you exercise.
If your profile is private, other users still see the segment itself — they just can't see that you created it or view your personal activity history. The segment location data is public either way.
Privacy settings that affect segments
Your Strava profile privacy setting controls whether other users can see your activities and your activity feed. It does not control whether segments you create are visible — segments are always visible to all users, regardless of your profile privacy setting.
If your profile is set to private, other users cannot see your individual runs or rides, but they can still see the segments you created and compete on them. If your profile is public, users can see both your activities and the segments you created.
To check your profile privacy, open Strava, go to your profile, and tap "Settings." Look for "Profile Visibility" or "Privacy." Set it to "Private" if you don't want other users browsing your activity history. This won't hide your segments, but it will hide the fact that you're the one using them regularly.
Alternatives if you don't want to create a public segment
If you like a route but don't want to create a segment (and broadcast that you use it), you have other options. You can mark a route as a favorite in the Strava app without creating a segment — this saves it to your own profile without making it public. You can also use Strava's route-building tool to plan a route and save it privately without turning any part of it into a segment.
If you want to compete with friends on a specific route, you can create a private group on Strava and share the route with just that group, rather than making it public. This limits who sees the location data to people you've invited.
Another option is to use a different fitness app that doesn't create public segments by default. Apps like Garmin Connect, MapMyRun, and Komoot let you log workouts and track routes without automatically broadcasting your location to a global leaderboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a segment I created?
No. Once you create a segment, you cannot delete it. You can only hide it, which removes it from search and the map but leaves it in Strava's system. If the segment violates Strava's terms — for example, it's on private property or was created to expose someone's location — contact Strava support and they may remove it.
Will other people know I created a segment?
Not unless your profile is public and they visit it. If your profile is private, other users can see and use the segment, but they won't see that you created it. If your profile is public, anyone can visit your profile and see the segments you've created.
What if someone creates a segment on a route I don't want public?
You cannot remove a segment someone else created. If it exposes your home address or workplace, or if it was created to track your location, contact Strava support with details. They may remove it if it violates their community guidelines. You can also make your own profile private so your activities don't feed into the segment leaderboard.
Do I have to create a segment to use Strava?
No. You can log runs and rides, track your fitness, and follow friends without ever creating a segment. Creating a segment is optional and only necessary if you want to compete with others on a specific route.
Can I make a segment private so only my friends see it?
No. All segments are public once created. If you want to share a route only with friends, use Strava's private group feature or save the route to your profile without creating a segment.