When you first create your map, you are requested to select your story or map type.
A List
Curate a list of places without a route.
This format gives you an opportunity to curate a set of places, but you are not determining the order someone needs to visit them in.
A Trip
Select this story type when you are plotting a story with a route.
Your route will include numbered stops and places of interest (POI’s) along the way. With this story type, you are imagining that your audience will follow the route, but the POI’s you curate are optional to give them the chance to personalise what suits their interests.
A Trail
Select the trail type when you are plotting an outdoor trail such as a hike, or mountain bike track.
Trails are unique because often they start/finish in the same location, or maybe they have trail heads with no pre-determined stops along the way.
You can also change your selection once you have started creating your map. Maybe you started creating a list, and then decided you want to add a route and turn it into a trip.
Expand the 'Plot Locations' panel on the right hand side, and click on the arrow next to the button 'I am creating a ....'. Here, you can change the map type, add a route and mode of transport.