Our elevation profiles are generated using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) - a digital representation of the topographic surface of the Earth. It covers the majority of the planet and is derived primarily from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), an international research project to map the topography of the planet from space. The data has been further developed and enhanced to improve its quality and fill in voids (where data missing), by Jonathan de Ferranti and his colleagues at Viewfinder Panoramas, using topographic maps (from ground and aerial surveys), spot elevations on sketch maps, Landsat satellite imagery and lower-resolution global elevation products.
We have a number of detailed guides giving instructions on how to use many of the features of plotaroute.com.
We have a number of video tutorials demonstrating how to use key features on the site.