What this is

This map shows an estimate of picturesqueness of a view that opens up from any vantage point covered by the color gradient. The warmer the color, the more spectacular a view can be expected from that point.

Controls and keyboard shortcuts

Overlay opacity can be adjusted by clicking the overlay button repeatedly, or with the mouse scroll wheel while holding Ctrl.

Press Tab to switch the basemap between terrain and satellite views, Space to switch between overlays.

How to use

Click the map to open an info popup showing coordinates and a link to a 3D preview (your computer has to meet certain requirements for the latter to work). The click position by default snaps to a "best point" nearby; to avoid this adjustment hold Ctrl while clicking.

Photos

Click the "Photos" button to enable the Flickr photos layer. There's a limit on the number of photos displayed simultaneously. Zoom in the map to discover more great photos.

Photos provided by Flickr are under the copyright of their owners.

What's next?

If the 3D view of a particularly breathtaking vista rendered on the screen is not enough and you decide to plot a route to get there in person, a terrain slopes overlay is provided to assist you with that. Here's what different colors mean for this supplementary overlay (we're assuming dry weather and traversable terrain):

• Blue to green: less than 15 degrees incline, slope grades up to 25%. Mostly surmountable by a 4x4 vehicle.
• Green to yellow: 15-20 degrees, grade up to 36%. Still can be driven over but starts getting scary.
• Yellow to red: 20-30 degrees, grade up to 60%. Sometimes may be driven up and down in favorable conditions but should be avoided if possible. Usually quite easily traversable on foot. Take a hike.
• Red to purple: 30-36 degrees, grade up to 72%. The incline of a typical escalator. Entry-level mountaineering - you might have to climb (hand and foot) if walking fails.
• Purple: 36 degrees and up.

Of course, most of the above can be disregarded if there's a road available.

To edit a route click the "Track" button (click it again to leave the edit mode). In the track edit mode, click the map to add a point, right click an existing point to delete it. After you create a track you get an option to export it as a .gpx file. To share a track with someone after you create it, just copy the page address from the address bar and paste it wherever needed.

To place markers press "m" on the keyboard. It works pretty much the same as the track edit mode.

Questions / comments / suggestions? Contact me at mivlad@gmail.com.