diff --git a/backend/services/navi_offroute/astar.py b/backend/services/navi_offroute/astar.py
index e68e7ef..0d9f284 100644
--- a/backend/services/navi_offroute/astar.py
+++ b/backend/services/navi_offroute/astar.py
@@ -12,7 +12,12 @@ Cliffs (|grade| > max_grade) incur a smooth exponential penalty rather than a ha
 wall, so a single noisy DEM cell can't fabricate an impassable edge; only truly
 absurd grades (penalty > SLOPE_PENALTY_CAP) are dropped.
 """
+import hashlib
+import heapq
+import itertools
 import math
+import sqlite3
+from collections import defaultdict
 
 import numpy as np
 from numba import njit
@@ -597,3 +602,231 @@ def astar_multigoal_multimode(
                                 break
 
     return -1, np.empty((0, 3), dtype=np.int64), INF
+
+
+# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
+# HPA* TWO-LEVEL RUNTIME (unified-graph perf, HPA-SPEC.md §8/§9, Phase H3)
+# ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
+#
+# astar_hpa_multimode is a PURE-PYTHON sibling of astar_multigoal_multimode (NOT @njit:
+# it does SQLite I/O + per-chunk Python loops). It searches the precomputed abstract chunk
+# graph (cost tiles from hpa_build), then refines each hop with the existing @njit
+# astar_multigoal on that chunk's live cost layer. astar_multigoal / astar_multigoal_multimode
+# are byte-unchanged; HPA* engages only when the dispatcher passes a tile DB.
+#
+# v1 limitations (HPA-SPEC.md §5/§8, PR #44): border entrances ONLY (no transition-cell
+# entrances ≥20), so there are NO mode-switch edges -> the abstract path is SINGLE-MODE
+# (a mode m in start_modes ∩ goal_modes). A route whose optimum needs a mode switch (the §1
+# wilderness→home walk-then-drive) will here degrade to single-mode or find no path; the
+# dispatcher then falls back to astar_multigoal_multimode. **This means enabling HPA* on a
+# mixed-mode route can return a worse selected_mode_set than unified A* — keep disabled in
+# prod until transition-cell entrances land (a follow-up) or H5 gates it.**
+# The abstract search uses Dijkstra (h≡0, trivially admissible/optimal); the abstract graph
+# is tiny, so a §10-style heuristic isn't needed for v1.
+
+HPA_BORDER_ENTRANCES = 20
+
+
+def _hpa_profile_hash():
+    from .cost import MODE_PROFILES
+    return hashlib.sha256(repr(MODE_PROFILES).encode()).hexdigest()
+
+
+def _hpa_coverage_reason(conn, needed_chunks, boundary_mode, network_affinity):
+    """Return a fallback reason string (HPA cannot/should-not engage), or None if clear.
+    Order: config gates first (cheap), then freshness, then tile coverage."""
+    if boundary_mode != "pragmatic":
+        return "boundary_mode"
+    if network_affinity and any(float(v) != 1.0 for v in network_affinity.values()):
+        return "affinity"
+    row = conn.execute("SELECT value FROM meta WHERE key='mode_profile_hash'").fetchone()
+    if not row or row[0] != _hpa_profile_hash():
+        return "stale_profile"
+    cxs = [c[0] for c in needed_chunks]
+    cys = [c[1] for c in needed_chunks]
+    present = {(r[0], r[1]) for r in conn.execute(
+        "SELECT DISTINCT chunk_x, chunk_y FROM chunk_costs "
+        "WHERE chunk_x BETWEEN ? AND ? AND chunk_y BETWEEN ? AND ?",
+        (min(cxs), max(cxs), min(cys), max(cys)))}
+    if any(ch not in present for ch in needed_chunks):
+        return "missing_chunk"
+    return None
+
+
+def _hpa_abstract_search(conn, needed_chunks, relevant_modes, start_edges, goal_edges):
+    """Dijkstra over the abstract graph. Nodes are (cx, cy, entrance, mode) plus virtual
+    "START"/"GOAL". Edges: intra-chunk (precomputed tile costs), inter-chunk seams (free,
+    same physical border cell), and the start/goal pseudo-edges. Returns
+    (node_seq_excl_endpoints, total_cost) or (None, INF). v1: no cross-mode edges."""
+    present = set(needed_chunks)
+    rmodes = set(relevant_modes)
+    cxs = [c[0] for c in needed_chunks]
+    cys = [c[1] for c in needed_chunks]
+    adj = defaultdict(list)
+    # Intra-chunk directed edges (border entrances 0..19 only — transition cells deferred).
+    for cx, cy, m, fe, te, cost in conn.execute(
+            "SELECT chunk_x, chunk_y, mode_idx, from_entrance, to_entrance, cost_s FROM chunk_costs "
+            "WHERE chunk_x BETWEEN ? AND ? AND chunk_y BETWEEN ? AND ?",
+            (min(cxs), max(cxs), min(cys), max(cys))):
+        if m in rmodes and fe < HPA_BORDER_ENTRANCES and te < HPA_BORDER_ENTRANCES:
+            adj[(cx, cy, fe, m)].append(((cx, cy, te, m), float(cost)))
+    # Inter-chunk seams (free, both directions). Right 5..9 ↔ left 15..19 of (cx+1,cy);
+    # bottom 10..14 ↔ top 0..4 of (cx,cy+1) — same fraction, same physical cell (spec §8).
+    for (cx, cy) in needed_chunks:
+        for m in rmodes:
+            if (cx + 1, cy) in present:
+                for k in range(5):
+                    a, b = (cx, cy, 5 + k, m), (cx + 1, cy, 15 + k, m)
+                    adj[a].append((b, 0.0)); adj[b].append((a, 0.0))
+            if (cx, cy + 1) in present:
+                for k in range(5):
+                    a, b = (cx, cy, 10 + k, m), (cx, cy + 1, k, m)
+                    adj[a].append((b, 0.0)); adj[b].append((a, 0.0))
+    for node, cost in start_edges.items():
+        adj["START"].append((node, float(cost)))
+    for node, cost in goal_edges.items():
+        adj[node].append(("GOAL", float(cost)))
+
+    counter = itertools.count()
+    dist = {"START": 0.0}
+    prev = {}
+    pq = [(0.0, next(counter), "START")]
+    while pq:
+        d, _, u = heapq.heappop(pq)
+        if u == "GOAL":
+            break
+        if d > dist.get(u, INF):
+            continue
+        for v, w in adj[u]:
+            nd = d + w
+            if nd < dist.get(v, INF):
+                dist[v] = nd
+                prev[v] = u
+                heapq.heappush(pq, (nd, next(counter), v))
+    if "GOAL" not in dist:
+        return None, INF
+    seq, node = [], "GOAL"
+    while node != "START":
+        if node != "GOAL":
+            seq.append(node)
+        node = prev[node]
+    seq.reverse()
+    return seq, dist["GOAL"]
+
+
+def _hpa_inchunk(layer, fr, fc, gr, gc):
+    """Least-time path + cost between two cells of a chunk's live cost layer (single mode)."""
+    _, path, cost = astar_multigoal(
+        layer["cost_mult"], layer["elevation"], layer["cell_size_m"], layer["cell_size_m"],
+        layer["max_grade"], layer["speed_function_id"], layer["base_speed_kmh"],
+        layer["trail_grid"], layer["trail_friction_lookup"], layer["barrier_grid"], 1,
+        int(fr), int(fc), np.array([gr], dtype=np.int64), np.array([gc], dtype=np.int64))
+    return path, cost
+
+
+def _hpa_emit(layer, path, mode, dem_reader, full_meta, out):
+    """Append a chunk-local cell path to `out` as (full_row, full_col, mode), via lat/lon
+    (chunk grid -> full-bbox grid) since the chunk fetch and full fetch have different pixel
+    origins. Consecutive duplicates (e.g. at seams) are dropped."""
+    for k in range(path.shape[0]):
+        lat, lon = dem_reader.pixel_to_latlon(int(path[k, 0]), int(path[k, 1]), layer["meta"])
+        r, c = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(lat, lon, full_meta)
+        node = (int(r), int(c), int(mode))
+        if not out or out[-1] != node:
+            out.append(node)
+
+
+def astar_hpa_multimode(tile_db_path, full_meta, start_lat, start_lon, end_lat, end_lon,
+                        origin_modes, goal_modes, boundary_mode, network_affinity,
+                        chunk_layer=None, dem_reader=None):
+    """Two-level HPA* (HPA-SPEC.md §8). Returns (idx, path_Nx3_int64, total_cost, reason)
+    matching astar_multigoal_multimode's render contract: idx==0 on success (reason None),
+    idx==-1 on fallback (reason in {boundary_mode, affinity, stale_profile, missing_chunk,
+    no_abstract_path, refine_failed}). chunk_layer(cx, cy, mode_idx)->layer dict (live,
+    native-30m, tile-grid-aligned) is supplied by the dispatcher for refinement."""
+    from . import hpa_build as hb
+    empty = np.empty((0, 3), dtype=np.int64)
+    south, north, west, east = full_meta["bounds"]
+    needed = hb.chunks_in_bbox(south, west, north, east)
+
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(f"file:{tile_db_path}?mode=ro", uri=True)
+    try:
+        reason = _hpa_coverage_reason(conn, needed, boundary_mode, network_affinity)
+        if reason is not None:
+            return -1, empty, INF, reason
+        relevant = sorted(set(int(x) for x in origin_modes) & set(int(x) for x in goal_modes))
+        if not relevant:
+            return -1, empty, INF, "no_abstract_path"
+
+        start_chunk = hb.chunk_coords(start_lat, start_lon)
+        goal_chunk = hb.chunk_coords(end_lat, end_lon)
+
+        # Same chunk: a direct in-chunk A* beats routing out to a border entrance and back.
+        if start_chunk == goal_chunk:
+            best = None
+            for m in relevant:
+                L = chunk_layer(start_chunk[0], start_chunk[1], m)
+                sr, sc = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(start_lat, start_lon, L["meta"])
+                gr, gc = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(end_lat, end_lon, L["meta"])
+                path, cost = _hpa_inchunk(L, sr, sc, gr, gc)
+                if np.isfinite(cost) and (best is None or cost < best[0]):
+                    best = (cost, L, path, m)
+            if best is None:
+                return -1, empty, INF, "no_abstract_path"
+            out = []
+            _hpa_emit(best[1], best[2], best[3], dem_reader, full_meta, out)
+            return (0, np.array(out, dtype=np.int64), best[0], None) if len(out) >= 2 \
+                else (-1, empty, INF, "refine_failed")
+
+        # Pseudo-edges: start cell -> each start-chunk entrance; each goal-chunk entrance -> end.
+        start_edges, goal_edges = {}, {}
+        for m in relevant:
+            Ls = chunk_layer(start_chunk[0], start_chunk[1], m)
+            sr, sc = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(start_lat, start_lon, Ls["meta"])
+            for ei, (er, ec) in enumerate(Ls["entrance_cells"]):
+                _, cost = _hpa_inchunk(Ls, sr, sc, er, ec)
+                if np.isfinite(cost):
+                    start_edges[(start_chunk[0], start_chunk[1], ei, m)] = cost
+            Lg = chunk_layer(goal_chunk[0], goal_chunk[1], m)
+            gr, gc = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(end_lat, end_lon, Lg["meta"])
+            for ei, (er, ec) in enumerate(Lg["entrance_cells"]):
+                _, cost = _hpa_inchunk(Lg, er, ec, gr, gc)
+                if np.isfinite(cost):
+                    goal_edges[(goal_chunk[0], goal_chunk[1], ei, m)] = cost
+
+        seq, cost = _hpa_abstract_search(conn, needed, relevant, start_edges, goal_edges)
+        if seq is None:
+            return -1, empty, INF, "no_abstract_path"
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+
+    # Refinement: stitch the real cells for each hop. Single mode throughout (v1).
+    m = seq[0][3]
+    out = []
+    Ls = chunk_layer(start_chunk[0], start_chunk[1], m)
+    sr, sc = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(start_lat, start_lon, Ls["meta"])
+    fr, fc = Ls["entrance_cells"][seq[0][2]]
+    path, c = _hpa_inchunk(Ls, sr, sc, fr, fc)
+    if not np.isfinite(c):
+        return -1, np.empty((0, 3), dtype=np.int64), INF, "refine_failed"
+    _hpa_emit(Ls, path, m, dem_reader, full_meta, out)
+    for a, b in zip(seq, seq[1:]):
+        if a[0] == b[0] and a[1] == b[1]:          # intra-chunk hop -> refine
+            L = chunk_layer(a[0], a[1], a[3])
+            ar, ac = L["entrance_cells"][a[2]]
+            br, bc = L["entrance_cells"][b[2]]
+            path, c = _hpa_inchunk(L, ar, ac, br, bc)
+            if not np.isfinite(c):
+                return -1, np.empty((0, 3), dtype=np.int64), INF, "refine_failed"
+            _hpa_emit(L, path, m, dem_reader, full_meta, out)
+        # else: inter-chunk seam (same physical cell) -> no refinement
+    Lg = chunk_layer(goal_chunk[0], goal_chunk[1], m)
+    lr, lc = Lg["entrance_cells"][seq[-1][2]]
+    gr, gc = dem_reader.latlon_to_pixel(end_lat, end_lon, Lg["meta"])
+    path, c = _hpa_inchunk(Lg, lr, lc, gr, gc)
+    if not np.isfinite(c):
+        return -1, np.empty((0, 3), dtype=np.int64), INF, "refine_failed"
+    _hpa_emit(Lg, path, m, dem_reader, full_meta, out)
+    if len(out) < 2:
+        return -1, np.empty((0, 3), dtype=np.int64), INF, "refine_failed"
+    return 0, np.array(out, dtype=np.int64), cost, None
diff --git a/backend/services/navi_offroute/router.py b/backend/services/navi_offroute/router.py
index 2196992..f10fea7 100755
--- a/backend/services/navi_offroute/router.py
+++ b/backend/services/navi_offroute/router.py
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ import requests
 import psycopg2
 import psycopg2.extras
 from shapely.geometry import LineString, Point
-from .astar import astar_multigoal, astar_multigoal_multimode, inflate_cost_multiplier
+from .astar import (astar_multigoal, astar_multigoal_multimode, astar_hpa_multimode,
+                    inflate_cost_multiplier)
 from .mvum_surface_change import get_surface_change_candidates
 from .mvum_parking import load_parking_index  # noqa: F401 (singleton injected by handler)
 
@@ -60,6 +61,11 @@ POSTGIS_DSN = os.environ.get("NAVI_OFFROUTE_POSTGIS_DSN", "dbname=padus")
 # Valhalla endpoint (recon-side network router, HTTP)
 VALHALLA_URL = os.environ.get("NAVI_OFFROUTE_VALHALLA_URL", "http://localhost:8002")
 
+# HPA* cost-tile DB (HPA-SPEC.md §8/§9, Phase H3). Unset (None) -> HPA* never engages and
+# Auto routing is byte-identical to the unified-graph path. Set to a tile DB (built by
+# hpa_build) to enable the two-level fast path for covered, pragmatic, no-affinity routes.
+HPA_TILE_DB = os.environ.get("NAVI_OFFROUTE_HPA_DB")
+
 # Search radius for entry points (km)
 DEFAULT_SEARCH_RADIUS_KM = 50
 EXPANDED_SEARCH_RADIUS_KM = 100
@@ -887,6 +893,27 @@ class OffrouteRouter:
         origin_modes = np.array(sorted(MODE_INDEX[m] for m in start_eligible), dtype=np.int64)
         goal_modes = np.array(sorted(MODE_INDEX[m] for m in end_eligible), dtype=np.int64)
 
+        # HPA* fast path (Phase H3): when a tile DB is configured + covers the route, search
+        # the precomputed abstract chunk graph instead of flooding the full bbox. Whole-route
+        # fallback to the unified kernel below on any miss (HPA-SPEC.md §8/§9). When
+        # NAVI_OFFROUTE_HPA_DB is unset this block is skipped entirely (behaviour unchanged).
+        if self._hpa_eligible(boundary_mode, network_affinity):
+            _h0 = time.perf_counter()
+            _cache = {"raster": {}, "layer": {}}
+            hidx, hpath, hcost, hreason = astar_hpa_multimode(
+                HPA_TILE_DB, meta, start_lat, start_lon, end_lat, end_lon,
+                origin_modes, goal_modes, boundary_mode, network_affinity,
+                chunk_layer=lambda cx, cy, mi: self._hpa_chunk_layer(cx, cy, mi, _cache),
+                dem_reader=self.dem_reader)
+            if hidx >= 0 and hpath.shape[0] > 0:
+                logger.info("auto: HPA* (chunks=%d) in %.2fs",
+                            len(_cache["raster"]), time.perf_counter() - _h0)
+                return self._render_unified_path(hpath, hcost, meta, boundary_mode)
+            logger.info("auto: HPA fallback reason=%s -> unified A*", hreason)
+        elif HPA_TILE_DB and os.path.exists(HPA_TILE_DB):
+            _r = "boundary_mode" if boundary_mode != "pragmatic" else "affinity"
+            logger.info("auto: HPA fallback reason=%s -> unified A*", _r)
+
         # 7. Unpack transition cells into the kernel's flat 1D arrays.
         tc = layers["transition_cells"]
         nt = len(tc)
@@ -1059,6 +1086,68 @@ class OffrouteRouter:
             "scenario": "unified",
         }
 
+    def _hpa_eligible(self, boundary_mode, network_affinity):
+        """HPA* engages only with a configured + existing tile DB, the default boundary mode,
+        and no network_affinity — the tiles are pure-terrain/pragmatic (HPA-SPEC.md §8), so
+        other configs would change the answer and must use the unified fallback."""
+        if not (HPA_TILE_DB and os.path.exists(HPA_TILE_DB)):
+            return False
+        if boundary_mode != "pragmatic":
+            return False
+        if network_affinity and any(float(v) != 1.0 for v in network_affinity.values()):
+            return False
+        return True
+
+    def _hpa_chunk_layer(self, cx, cy, mode_idx, cache):
+        """Live native-30m cost layer for one chunk (tile-grid-aligned), for HPA* refinement.
+        Pure terrain only (no MVUM/barriers/network_affinity/corridor-mask), matching the H2
+        tile build so entrance cells and costs line up. Rasters cached per chunk, layers per
+        (chunk, mode)."""
+        from . import hpa_build as hb
+        if (cx, cy) not in cache["raster"]:
+            s, w, n, e = hb.chunk_bounds(cx, cy)
+            elev, cmeta = self.dem_reader.get_elevation_grid(south=s, north=n, west=w, east=e)
+            shape = elev.shape
+            fraw = self.friction_reader.get_friction_grid(
+                south=s, north=n, west=w, east=e, target_shape=shape)
+            fmult = friction_to_multiplier(fraw)
+            trails = self.trail_reader.get_trails_grid(
+                south=s, north=n, west=w, east=e, target_shape=shape)
+            wild = None
+            if self.wilderness_reader is not None:
+                wild = self.wilderness_reader.get_wilderness_grid(
+                    south=s, north=n, west=w, east=e, target_shape=shape)
+            cache["raster"][(cx, cy)] = (
+                np.ascontiguousarray(elev, np.float64), fmult, fraw, trails, wild, cmeta)
+        elev, fmult, fraw, trails, wild, cmeta = cache["raster"][(cx, cy)]
+        key = (cx, cy, mode_idx)
+        if key not in cache["layer"]:
+            mode = MODE_ORDER[mode_idx]
+            prof = MODE_PROFILES[mode]
+            cs = float(cmeta["cell_size_m"])
+            cm = compute_cost_multiplier_grid(
+                elev, cell_size_lat_m=cs, cell_size_lon_m=cs,
+                friction=fmult, friction_raw=fraw, wilderness=wild, mode=mode)
+            cm = np.ascontiguousarray(inflate_cost_multiplier(cm), np.float64)
+            tfl = np.full(256, np.inf, np.float64)
+            for tv, fr in prof.trail_friction.items():
+                tfl[tv] = np.inf if fr is None else float(fr)
+            shape = elev.shape
+            cache["layer"][key] = {
+                "cost_mult": cm, "elevation": elev,
+                "trail_grid": np.ascontiguousarray(
+                    trails if trails is not None else np.zeros(shape, np.uint8), np.uint8),
+                "trail_friction_lookup": tfl,
+                "barrier_grid": np.zeros(shape, np.uint8),
+                "max_grade": float(np.tan(np.radians(prof.max_slope_deg))),
+                "speed_function_id": {"tobler": 0, "herzog": 1, "linear": 2}.get(prof.speed_function, 0),
+                "base_speed_kmh": float(prof.base_speed_kmh),
+                "cell_size_m": cs,
+                "entrance_cells": hb._entrance_cells(*shape),
+                "meta": cmeta,
+            }
+        return cache["layer"][key]
+
     def _route_D_network_only(
         self,
         start_lat: float, start_lon: float,
diff --git a/backend/services/navi_offroute/tests/test_hpa_runtime.py b/backend/services/navi_offroute/tests/test_hpa_runtime.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b081990
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/services/navi_offroute/tests/test_hpa_runtime.py
@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+"""HPA* two-level runtime tests (Phase H3). Abstract search + coverage/freshness fallback on
+synthetic tile DBs; dispatcher gating end-to-end. Refinement on live rasters is exercised in
+H4 ops / H5 path-quality, not here (these inputs are deterministic without the real builder)."""
+import logging
+import sqlite3
+
+import numpy as np
+import pytest
+
+from services.navi_offroute import astar, hpa_build as hb
+import services.navi_offroute.router as router_mod
+import services.navi_offroute.transitions as p_trans
+from services.navi_offroute.router import OffrouteRouter
+from services.navi_offroute.transitions import _latlon_to_pixel as _ll2px, _pixel_to_latlon as _px2ll
+
+# Four-chunk region (0,0),(1,0),(0,1),(1,1) with a known path 0,0 -> 1,0 -> 1,1.
+_CHUNKS = [(0, 0), (0, 1), (1, 0), (1, 1)]
+# bounds = (south, north, west, east); spans chunks 0..1 in both axes.
+_BOUNDS = (0.001, hb.CHUNK_DEG + 0.001, 0.001, hb.CHUNK_DEG + 0.001)
+
+
+def _make_tile_db(path, rows, hash_ok=True):
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(path)
+    hb._init_schema(conn)
+    conn.executemany(hb._INSERT, rows)
+    h = astar._hpa_profile_hash() if hash_ok else "wrong-hash"
+    conn.execute("INSERT OR REPLACE INTO meta (key, value) VALUES ('mode_profile_hash', ?)", (h,))
+    conn.commit()
+    conn.close()
+
+
+def _base_rows():
+    # One trivial row per chunk so all four count as "present", plus the (1,0) hop 15->10
+    # that carries the only non-seam cost on the 0,0 -> 1,0 -> 1,1 route.
+    rows = [(cx, cy, 0, 0, 1, 99.0) for (cx, cy) in _CHUNKS]
+    rows.append((1, 0, 0, 15, 10, 5.0))   # left entrance -> bottom entrance, foot, cost 5
+    return rows
+
+
+def test_hpa_abstract_search_finds_path_through_chunks(tmp_path):
+    db = str(tmp_path / "tiles.db")
+    _make_tile_db(db, _base_rows())
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(db)
+    # START -> right entrance of (0,0); top entrance of (1,1) -> GOAL (both free pseudo-edges).
+    start_edges = {(0, 0, 5, 0): 0.0}
+    goal_edges = {(1, 1, 0, 0): 0.0}
+    seq, cost = astar._hpa_abstract_search(conn, _CHUNKS, [0], start_edges, goal_edges)
+    conn.close()
+    assert seq is not None
+    chunks_visited = [s[:2] for s in seq]
+    assert chunks_visited[0] == (0, 0) and chunks_visited[-1] == (1, 1)
+    # 0,0 -> (seam) 1,0 -> (intra 5s) -> (seam) 1,1 ; only the (1,0) intra row is non-free.
+    assert cost == pytest.approx(5.0)
+    assert (1, 0) in chunks_visited
+
+
+def test_hpa_falls_back_on_missing_chunk(tmp_path):
+    db = str(tmp_path / "tiles.db")
+    rows = [r for r in _base_rows() if not (r[0] == 1 and r[1] == 1)]   # drop chunk (1,1)
+    _make_tile_db(db, rows)
+    idx, path, cost, reason = astar.astar_hpa_multimode(
+        db, {"bounds": _BOUNDS}, 0.002, 0.002, hb.CHUNK_DEG + 0.0005, hb.CHUNK_DEG + 0.0005,
+        np.array([0]), np.array([0]), "pragmatic", None)
+    assert idx == -1 and reason == "missing_chunk"
+    assert path.shape == (0, 3) and not np.isfinite(cost)
+
+
+def test_hpa_falls_back_on_stale_profile_hash(tmp_path):
+    db = str(tmp_path / "tiles.db")
+    _make_tile_db(db, _base_rows(), hash_ok=False)
+    idx, path, cost, reason = astar.astar_hpa_multimode(
+        db, {"bounds": _BOUNDS}, 0.002, 0.002, hb.CHUNK_DEG + 0.0005, hb.CHUNK_DEG + 0.0005,
+        np.array([0]), np.array([0]), "pragmatic", None)
+    assert idx == -1 and reason == "stale_profile"
+
+
+# ── dispatcher gating (end-to-end through _route_auto, stubbed readers) ───────
+
+def _p_meta(rows, cols, cell_m=100.0):
+    import math
+    dlat = cell_m / 111000.0
+    dlon = cell_m / (111000.0 * math.cos(math.radians(40.0)))
+    return {"bounds": (40.0, 40.0 + rows * dlat, -111.0, -111.0 + cols * dlon),
+            "pixel_size_lat": -dlat, "pixel_size_lon": dlon,
+            "origin_lat": 40.0 + rows * dlat, "origin_lon": -111.0,
+            "cell_size_m": cell_m, "shape": (rows, cols)}
+
+
+class _Grid:
+    def __init__(self, a): self._a = a
+    def get_friction_grid(self, **k): return self._a
+    def get_barrier_grid(self, **k): return self._a
+    def get_trails_grid(self, **k): return self._a
+    def get_wilderness_grid(self, **k): return self._a
+    def close(self): pass
+
+
+class _StubDem:
+    def __init__(self, e, m): self._e, self._m = e, m
+    def get_elevation_grid(self, **k): return self._e, self._m
+    def latlon_to_pixel(self, lat, lon, m): return _ll2px(lat, lon, m)
+    def pixel_to_latlon(self, r, c, m): return _px2ll(r, c, m)
+    def close(self): pass
+
+
+def _stub_router(monkeypatch):
+    n = 20
+    meta = _p_meta(n, n)
+    r = OffrouteRouter()
+    r.dem_reader = _StubDem(np.full((n, n), 1000.0), meta)
+    fr = np.full((n, n), 30, dtype=np.uint8)
+    r.friction_reader = _Grid(fr)
+    r.barrier_reader = _Grid(np.zeros((n, n), np.uint8))
+    r.trail_reader = _Grid(np.zeros((n, n), np.uint8))
+    r.wilderness_reader = _Grid(np.zeros((n, n), np.uint8))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(router_mod, "get_mvum_access_grid",
+                        lambda *a, **k: (_ for _ in ()).throw(RuntimeError("no mvum")))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(p_trans, "load_parking_index",
+                        lambda *a, **k: type("I", (), {"query_parking_near_line": lambda s, c, buffer_m=2000: []})())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(p_trans, "load_trailheads",
+                        lambda *a, **k: type("I", (), {"query_trailheads_near_line": lambda s, c, buffer_m=2000: []})())
+    monkeypatch.setattr(p_trans, "get_surface_change_candidates", lambda *a, **k: [])
+    monkeypatch.setattr(OffrouteRouter, "_spatial_eligible_modes",
+                        lambda self, lat, lon, cache: frozenset({"foot"}))
+    s_lat, s_lon = _px2ll(5, 5, meta)
+    e_lat, e_lon = _px2ll(15, 15, meta)
+    return r, (s_lat, s_lon, e_lat, e_lon)
+
+
+def test_hpa_dispatcher_uses_hpa_when_tile_db_set(tmp_path, monkeypatch, caplog):
+    db = str(tmp_path / "tiles.db")
+    _make_tile_db(db, _base_rows())                       # a real file so os.path.exists passes
+    monkeypatch.setattr(router_mod, "HPA_TILE_DB", db)
+
+    calls = []
+
+    def spy(*a, **k):
+        calls.append(True)
+        return 0, np.array([[5, 5, 0], [6, 6, 0]], dtype=np.int64), 123.0, None
+    monkeypatch.setattr(router_mod, "astar_hpa_multimode", spy)
+
+    r, (s_lat, s_lon, e_lat, e_lon) = _stub_router(monkeypatch)
+    with caplog.at_level(logging.INFO, logger="navi_offroute.router"):
+        out = r._route_auto(s_lat, s_lon, e_lat, e_lon, "pragmatic")
+    assert out["status"] == "ok"
+    assert calls == [True]                                # HPA was attempted + taken
+    assert "auto: HPA*" in caplog.text
+
+    # strict boundary mode -> ineligible -> HPA not attempted, logged fallback, unified used.
+    calls.clear()
+    caplog.clear()
+    r2, _ = _stub_router(monkeypatch)
+    with caplog.at_level(logging.INFO, logger="navi_offroute.router"):
+        out2 = r2._route_auto(s_lat, s_lon, e_lat, e_lon, "strict")
+    assert out2["status"] == "ok"
+    assert calls == []                                    # spy never called
+    assert "HPA fallback reason=boundary_mode" in caplog.text