解:$(1)\triangle ACH$是直角三角形,理由如下:
∵$CH = 0.6\ \mathrm {km},$$AH = 0.8\ \mathrm {km},$$AC = 1\ \mathrm {km}$
∴$CH^2+AH^2=0.6^2+0.8^2 = 1,$$AC^2=1^2=1$
∴$CH^2+AH^2=AC^2$
∴$∠AHC = 90°,$$\triangle ACH$是直角三角形
$(2)$设$AB = BC = x\mathrm {km}$
又$CH = 0.6\ \mathrm {km},$则$BH=(x - 0.6)\mathrm {km}$
由$(1),$得$∠AHC = 90°$
又$∠AHC+∠AHB = 180°$
∴$∠AHB = 180°-∠AHC = 90°$
在$Rt\triangle AHB$中,$AH = 0.8\ \mathrm {km}$
由勾股定理,得$BH^2+AH^2=AB^2,$
即$(x - 0.6)^2+0.8^2=x^2,$解得$x=\frac 56$
则路线$AB$的长为$\frac 56\ \mathrm {km}$