In one aspect, the invention features a system for assisting a user in selecting a route. The system may include a request receiving module. The request receiving module may be configured to receive a route request including map information and route information entered by a user. The map information may be selected from the group consisting of a starting point, an ending point, a landmark point, and combinations thereof. The route information may be selected from the group consisting of lighting criteria, travel surface criteria, population density criteria, weather criteria, distance criteria, speed criteria, calorie criteria, time criteria, elevation change criteria, landmark criteria, and combinations thereof. The system may include a map retrieving module that is configured to retrieve a map based on the map information. The system may include a route providing module that is configured to provide one or more selected routes on the map based on the route information. The system may include a display providing module to provide the one or more selected routes and the map for display to the user.