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Using Segments with a Garmin Watch or Edge Device

Course segments are virtual race courses created by the running and cycling community that rank personal results over time, against other users, group members, or the entire running or cycling community.

Segments can come from two different sources, either Strava segments or you can create segments using your Garmin Connect™ account. Owning a Garmin® device compatible with segments is required in order to create a segment. Choose an option below to reveal instructions.

NOTE: Certain sub-sports from the Cycling profile will be unable to create a Segment such as the eBike and eMountain Bike activity profiles. 

Sending a Strava Segment to a Garmin Device

You must have a Strava subscription to send Strava segments to your Garmin device. Choose your platform below to reveal instructions.

Garmin Connect App Instructions

  1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

  2. Select More (bottom right).

  3. Select Training & Planning.

  4. Select Segments.

  5. Select the three dots in the top right.

  6. Select Strava Segments.

  7. Select Launch Strava.

  8. Star your favorite segments in your Strava account.

    • Strava segments with a downhill loss in grade of .25% or more are not eligible for segment goals and Strava will not send these segments for live viewing on Garmin devices. For help with creating a Strava segment see Strava Support: Create a Segment.

  9. Sync your device.

The Strava segments will now be loaded to your device. When you record an activity, as you approach the start of a segment, your watch or Edge® cycling computer will alert you to it. Your result for the segment will automatically be recorded as part of the activity.

Garmin Connect Web Instructions

  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect account.

  2. Select Training and Planning from the navigation bar on the left.

  3. Select Segments.

    • To access Strava segments in Garmin Connect a Strava segment compatible device needs to be associated with the account.

  4. Select Switch to Strava Segments.

  5. Authorize Strava segments in Garmin Connect.

  6. Star your favorite segments in your Strava account.

    • Strava segments with a downhill loss in grade of .25% or more are not eligible for segment goals and Strava will not send these segments for live viewing on Garmin devices. For help with creating a Strava segment see Strava Support: Create a Segment.

  7. Sync your device.

The Strava segments will now be loaded to your device. When you record an activity, as you approach the start of a segment, your watch or Edge® cycling computer will alert you to it. Your result for the segment will automatically be recorded as part of the activity.

For more details regarding Strava segments, see the following support content from Strava:

Creating a Garmin Segment in Garmin Connect Web

NOTE: Activity privacy in Garmin Connect must be set to "Everyone" in order for segment efforts to be included on a segment leaderboard. Also make sure that "Segments" is toggled on in your privacy settings (see Adjusting Privacy Settings in Garmin Connect).

  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect account.

  2. Select Activities from the navigation bar on the left.

  3. Select All Activities.

  4. Open one of your activities.

  5. Scroll down below the charts and select the Segments tab.

    Screenshot from Connect page showing stats, laps, segments and Time in Zones. Segments has a red border.

    • If there is not a Segments tab, change the activity type to a running or cycling activity type and refresh the page. Ensure that "Segments" is toggled on in your privacy settings (see Adjusting Privacy Settings in Garmin Connect). Also, ensure that Garmin is set as your segments source. If Strava is set as your segments source you won't have a Segments tab on your activities.

    • You will only be able to create segments in Garmin Connect if you are using Garmin Segments. If you use Strava Segments you will need to create the segment in Strava (see Strava Support: Create a Segment). To switch between segment sources in Garmin Connect, see the following section.

  6. Select Create Segment (right corner).
    Screenshot from Connect Create segment has a red border

  7. Select the segment start and finish points on the map using the Segment Start/End slider or by moving the points on the map.Gif using the start and end slider on the map

  8. Select a segment name, type, and surface.

    • This must be done before saving the segment.

    • If the title of the segment is not edited, it will inherit the name of the activity.

  9. Select Save.

  10. Select Send to Device.

  11. Select your device.

  12. Select Send to Device.

After the segment has been sent to the device, while you are recording an activity on it, the watch or Edge will alert you to upcoming segments as you approach the start. Your result will be automatically recorded as part of your activity.

Cycling segments can be created in Garmin Connect from any activity with a GPS track and either a cycling or running activity type. All segments created in Garmin Connect are available for the entire Garmin Connect community to view and compete against and any activities uploaded to Garmin Connect that crossed a segment will qualify.

Switching Between Garmin Connect and Strava Segments

If you need to switch your segment source, choose your preferred platform below for instructions.

Garmin Connect App Instructions

  1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

  2. Select More (bottom right).

  3. Select Training & Planning.

  4. Select Segments.

  5. Select the three dots in the top right.

  6. Select the segment option you would like to use.

Garmin Connect Web Instructions

  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect account.

  2. Select Training and Planning from the navigation bar on the left.

  3. Select Segments.

    • To access Strava segments in Garmin Connect a Strava segment compatible device will need to be associated with the account.

  4. Select Switch to Strava Segments.

Sending Existing Garmin Segments to Your Device

Existing segments can be viewed in Garmin Connect and sent to your device. Select your platform below for details.

Garmin Connect App

  1. Open the Garmin Connect app.

  2. Select More (bottom right).

  3. Select Training & Planning.

  4. Select Segments.

A list of segments near you will populate with the name, segment type, and distance shown. Segments can also be viewed in a map view by selecting the Magnifying glass icon icon in the top right corner. The map will show the start point of the segment and selecting it will show more details. Segments can be filtered by activity type, distance, average grade, and more by selecting the filter option on the map view. Select a segment to view more details, including a map, leaderboard, and other metrics. To send a segment to your device, select Blue arrow pointing to a mobile device in the top right and select a compatible device.

Sync your device with Garmin Connect to send the segment. While you are recording an activity, the watch or Edge® cycling computer will alert you to upcoming segments as you approach the start. Your result will be automatically recorded as part of your activity.

Garmin Connect Web

  1. From a web browser, sign into your Garmin Connect account.

  2. Select Training and Planning from the navigation bar on the left.

  3. Select Segments.

  4. Select Nearby Segments.

All nearby segments will be shown on the map. Select one to see more details. To send a segment to a compatible device, select the Send to Device button when viewing the segment details.

Sync your device with Garmin Connect to send the segment. While you are recording an activity, the watch or Edge® cycling computer will alert you to upcoming segments as you approach the start. Your result will be automatically recorded as part of your activity.

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