GPXFIT

Ascent/Descent Charts

The Ascent/Descent Charts tool shows how elevation gain and loss accumulates throughout your track, helping you understand the climbing and descending distribution of your route.

Ascent/Descent charts Ascent/Descent charts
Cumulative ascent and descent charts showing climbing distribution

What It Shows

Summary Statistics

At the top, you'll see:

  • Distance - Total track length in kilometers
  • Total Ascent - Cumulative elevation gained (meters)
  • Total Descent - Cumulative elevation lost (meters)

Cumulative Ascent Chart

A line chart starting from 0 at the beginning and ending at your total ascent:

  • X-axis: Distance along the track (km)
  • Y-axis: Cumulative elevation gained (m)
  • Steep sections on this chart indicate where most climbing happens
  • Flat sections show where you're descending or on level ground

Cumulative Descent Chart

The same concept but for descending:

  • Starts at 0 and ends at your total descent
  • Steep sections show where significant descending occurs
  • Flat sections show climbing or level terrain

Interactive Hover

As you move your cursor over either chart:

  • Both charts highlight the same position
  • An info panel shows:
- Distance: Current position along the track - Progress: Percentage through the ride - Ascent Done/Left: How much climbing completed vs remaining - Descent Done/Left: How much descending completed vs remaining

Understanding the Charts

Reading the Ascent Chart

  • A steep upward slope means you're climbing intensely
  • A gradual slope means gentle climbing spread over distance
  • A flat horizontal line means you're descending or on flat ground
  • Halfway point on the Y-axis shows where half your climbing is done

Reading the Descent Chart

  • A steep upward slope means rapid descending
  • A gradual slope means gentle descent spread over distance
  • A flat horizontal line means climbing or flat terrain

When to Use

  • Pacing strategy - Know when the hardest climbing is behind you
  • Nutrition planning - Identify where to refuel before big efforts
  • Mental preparation - See exactly how much climbing remains at any point
  • Route comparison - Compare how climbing is distributed on different routes
  • Training analysis - Understand the structure of your workout

Example Insights

If your ascent chart shows:

  • Front-loaded: Most climbing in first half = tiring start, easier finish
  • Back-loaded: Most climbing in second half = need to save energy
  • Evenly distributed: Climbing spread throughout = steady effort required
  • Step pattern: Distinct climbs separated by flat/descending sections

Notes

  • This is an analysis-only tool - it doesn't modify your track data
  • A 1-meter elevation threshold helps filter out GPS noise
  • Charts are synchronized - hovering one updates both