I’ve carried out a variety of mountain climbing and used many alternative apps. I’ve been lucky sufficient to search out the perfect mountain climbing apps that I feel each hiker ought to find out about.
Hiking apps will assist preserve you on the path. These functions will enhance your security as you trek via your favourite pure space. When one thing goes flawed, not having navigation could be horrendous!
But a great mountain climbing app will guarantee that you could move that state of affairs and return to having fun with nature.
Before I began utilizing mountain climbing apps, I didn’t use something. I can’t inform you how usually I acquired misplaced mountain climbing and virtually didn’t make it out earlier than darkish.
Now I’m a seasoned outdoorsman however getting misplaced to the purpose the place it’s darkish makes me fairly nervous. No one must be misplaced within the wilderness
Let’s take a look at a few of the finest mountain climbing apps obtainable so that you don’t must expertise getting misplaced whereas attempting to have a constructive mountain climbing expertise.
The finest mountain climbing apps so that you can take a look at:
- Best Overall Hiking App: AllTrails (iOS & Android)
- Best for Offline Maps: Avenza Maps (iOS & Android)
- Best for Recording GPS Locations: Gaia GPS (iOS & Android)
- Best for Public/Private Land Boundaries: OnXHunt (iOS & Android)
- Best for Hiking Fitness: Strava (iOS & Android)
5 Best Hiking Apps of 2022
Like I stated earlier than, I’ve tried a variety of completely different mountain climbing apps.
Some work nice, and a few don’t work so nice. If I may also help you keep away from those that don’t work that effectively, I would like to have the ability to just do that.
AllTrails Hiking App
Cost: Free Version; Pro Version $2.99 / month
Apple Store Rating: 4.9 (728K evaluations)
Google Play Rating: 4.8 (130K evaluations)
Features: Free Version (Discover Trails, Navigate Trails, Trail Reviews), Pro Version (Offline Maps, Wrong Turn Alerts, Ad Free, 3D Maps)
I most likely use AllTrails probably the most when visiting trails outdoors my native mountain climbing space. If I’m not used to the world I need to hike in, I often don’t know the place the paths are.
I can get on AllTrails and instantly discover the closest trails in my space. That useful resource turns out to be useful if you’re mountain climbing away from the place you reside.
If I’m on the lookout for a path in an space, I do know that AllTrails goes to record many of the trails in any given space that individuals usually go to for mountain climbing actions.
That is how I discover trails within the state I go to for annual holidays.
This app has a beneficiant free version that lets you entry all the paths you need, discover the closest ones to you, and even go away path evaluations.
The premium version will allow you to obtain maps for offline use. I like to recommend upgrading to the premium version for that characteristic.
A whole lot of the time, the place mountain climbing trails are situated, there isn’t any mobile phone service. You’ll want entry to an offline map to have the ability to navigate the path.
There are some cons to utilizing AllTrails to concentrate on. AllTrails is understood for its characteristic that enables a member to add their mountain climbing maps.
This leads to a variety of user-made trails that aren’t formally supported. Some of the paths might not get maintained yearly, and the app might not point out that.
That is when it’s crucial to learn the evaluations to get an thought of how good of a path you’ll be mountain climbing on.
Pros:
- A beneficiant free version
- Easily discover the closest trails to you
- Read and go away path evaluations
- Premium model value paying for that gives offline map entry
Cons:
- Members will typically add unofficial user-made trails
Best for: hikers of all experience and ability ranges
Avenza Maps Hiking App
Cost: Free Version; Plus Version ($29.99 a yr); Pro Version ($144.99 a yr)
Apple Store Rating: 4.8 (96.4K evaluations)
Google Play Rating: 4.6 (70.5K evaluations)
Features: Free Version (Offline Maps, Locate with GPS, Navigation, Record GPS, 3 Maps at a Time, 5 Geofences), Plus Version (Unlimited Maps, 50 Geofences), Pro Version (Unlimited Maps, Geofences, Layers, and so on.)
Avenza Maps is a trusted type of land navigation via smartphone apps. It is so trusted that almost all federal and state public land administration companies use and market it.
My native Shawnee National Forest has created a number of maps for it. I’ve partnered with the US Forest Service and our state DNR to create a map for it.
It is likely one of the most trusted functions that I’ve skilled utilizing.
I also have a large bundle of maps that may preserve you on the River to River Trail right here in southern Illinois for all 160 miles of it and people maps have been created by the US Forest Service.
The app itself is free. Most maps are free, however map creators do have the choice of promoting maps. Avenza does get a share of all gross sales.
Most premium maps that I’ve used are underneath $10. You can use all of the maps offline utilizing your GPS. That is a free characteristic, too.
If you solely use free maps, you should utilize all of them with no mobile phone sign and for free of charge. Using Avenza is simple, too. Looking at your map listing will determine what map you’re at present on.
My solely grievance with Avenza is the shortage of native maps. As I stated, there are millions of maps on Avenza, however a variety of them are for actually widespread areas.
I’d like to see maps at places throughout public lands, even when there aren’t any designated trails within the space.
Even with path designation, not all of my native trails have a map for them.
You must depend on public land administration companies or map creators to get maps created and placed on the app.
Pros:
- Main app is free
- Most public land administration companies add to this app
- You can share maps at no cost
- You can promote maps (Avenza takes a share)
- Offline map options are free
Cons:
- Not as many maps as different apps on the market
- Not all maps are free
Best for: Offline map use in case your map is obtainable
OnXHunt Property Boundary App
Cost: Premium Version ($29.99 a yr); Elite Version ($99.99 a yr)
Apple Store Rating: 4.8 (66.3K evaluations)
Google Play Rating: 4.6 (32.9K evaluations)
Features: Premium Version (Maps for 1 State), Elite Version (Maps for 50 States + Canada)
OnXHunt is a well-liked utility utilized by the looking and game-harvesting neighborhood.
However, it’s a excellent device for a hiker on the lookout for extra of a rugged journey.
I take advantage of OnXHunt greater than another app. I generally bushwhack in trailless and distant areas, particularly throughout leaf-off months.
Because my native forest has a lot personal property combined in it, I don’t need to by chance trespass.
OnXHunt exhibits me all public land boundaries and even personal property proprietor info.
The final thing you need to do is violate somebody’s proper to non-public property and by chance trespass.
The app just isn’t free. It prices cash for every state map you want to use. The value is excessive however for what it gives, in the event you want these options, it’s value it.
You obtain the maps you want, after which you should utilize them offline via GPS if you don’t have mobile phone reception.
It additionally has beautiful map views of the topography and contour strains in your mountain climbing space. That lets you hike a greater path that’s much less strenuous if you know the way to learn maps.
Pros:
- Regularly up to date property boundaries
- Shows private and non-private property boundaries
- Shows names and addresses of property house owners
- Can use maps offline (downloading is required)
- Access to whole state map
Cons:
- App just isn’t free
- You pay for every state you need to use
- Does not record all trails in an space
Best for: If you need to see public/personal property boundaries whereas mountain climbing
Gaia GPS Hiking App
Cost: Free Version; Premium Version $3.33 a month
Apple Store Rating: 4.8 (28K evaluations)
Google Play Rating: 4.3 (12K evaluations)
Features: Free Version (Basic Maps, Record Activities, Create Routes), Premium Version (Offline Maps, Weather & Terrain Features, 300+ maps)
The Gaia Maps mountain climbing app is a superb selection in the event you want a free full-featured utility for land navigation.
I take advantage of Gaia to report all of my GPS spots that I need to preserve observe of. For instance, I’ve a map layer on Gaia displaying all of the open cisterns and wells I discover within the Shawnee National Forest.
That map could be useful for public security officers throughout search and rescue efforts. I additionally recorded locations I needed to return to in the course of the winter to discover extra off when all of the ticks are gone.
Gaia is a free utility. There are tons of layers that you could add to it, too. Like the entire wells I discover, I can add a Thirties map layer displaying the place previous homesite constructions have been within the space.
I can virtually see what the forest appeared like earlier than it was reforested. However, like with most mountain climbing apps, you need to pay to make use of the applying offline.
These app makers are fairly modern in relation to figuring out what options to cost for.
My solely difficulty with Gaia is that the applying isn’t very user-friendly. There is far bloat within the options and settings on the app.
It seems like one thing out of the Nineties that hasn’t been up to date for contemporary occasions. I really feel that what the app is now could also be complicated for rookies.
The app additionally has an excessive amount of occurring with it. Too many options make it a bit larger than it must be.
Sometimes, it may be a bit complicated for even me to make use of as skilled as I’m with utilizing the app.
Other than these few points, the app is fairly good and helpful if you want it.
Pros:
- Main app is free
- There are a variety of layers and options
Cons:
- App is heavy in options and typically tough to make use of
- App person expertise just isn’t fashionable
Best for: Recording hikes and particular factors of curiosity
Strava Fitness & Hiking App
Cost: Free Version; Subscription Version ($5.00 a month)
Apple Store Rating: 4.8 (203.2K evaluations)
Google Play Rating: 4.5 (777K evaluations)
Features: Free Version (Activity Recording, Device Support, Social Network, Beacon), Subscription (Route Planning, Segment Competition, Training Dashboard, Advanced Metrics, and extra!)
Strava is likely one of the finest mountain climbing apps on the market, in my view, as a result of it may report my hike within the background whereas I take advantage of one other app for land navigation.
I’ve Strava built-in into my watch to report every hike I’m going on. Strava has a setting for recording nearly any exercise, whether or not mountain climbing, path working, biking, kayaking, and even swimming.
The utility may be very simple to make use of and can work off GPS if you don’t have the perfect mobile phone reception.
Strava is free, however the options are minimal. The free version used to have a variety of nice options with it.
However, because the app matured and the corporate grew, a extra sturdy paid version was required for the app to maintain itself.
To get the higher options you’d need to have; you’ll must pay for the premium model of the app.
The premium model makes the app like a fitness-related social networking platform so that you can get pleasure from.
I’ve been a premium member for years, and I really feel prefer it’s value it.
I do have complaints about Strava, nevertheless. The free version doesn’t have many advantages.
I really feel prefer it prevents many individuals from utilizing it due to the shortage of free options. I feel that Strava may very well be extra beneficiant and permit a number of further advantages to make the app extra worthy of utilizing.
I additionally really feel just like the app challenges are flawed. Sometimes, you’ll settle for and instantly full a problem due to previous exercise.
But aside from that, it’s glorious for what I want it for – recording a hike after which permitting me to obtain the GPS file of the hike onto my system.
Pros:
- There is a free model
- You can report your hike and entry GPS file
- Social networking options
Cons:
- Most of the nice options require paid improve
- No GPS characteristic like different apps
Best for: Great for recording hikes for GPS and health causes
What to Use Hiking Apps for
The finest mountain climbing apps listed above can be utilized for quite a lot of various things and actions referring to your out of doors use.
I take advantage of most of them for locating trails close to me to hike or tracts of public land to entry.
Most apps have land navigation options resembling topo and contour strains that will help you select the perfect route primarily based in your health stage.
Many of the premium variations of the apps may also help you with security wants by with the ability to use them offline so that you simply don’t come dwelling at nighttime.
Many apps have a great studying expertise connected to them so as to simply use them once more sooner or later.
And most of those apps mean you can observe your hike and later obtain the GPS file in case you want to use it elsewhere.
How to Use Offline Map Apps For Hiking
Most apps provide options the place you’ll be able to obtain maps for offline use.
This is the kind of characteristic that it is best to search for probably the most. That’s as a result of most woods and forests don’t have mobile phone reception.
If you attempt to use on-line maps in an space like that, it simply received’t load. So, you need to have offline map entry.
The offline map characteristic sometimes prices cash. But it’s a value value paying to keep away from getting misplaced or off the right path.
Most apps mean you can navigate the map and obtain them. There ought to be some hyperlinks or buttons referencing map downloading or offline maps.
After you obtain the maps to your telephone, you should utilize them when you don’t have any sign.
Most of those offline maps work on GPS, so that you’ll want to verify your telephone has that setting enabled; in any other case offline maps might not work appropriately.
How To Choose The Best Hiking App?
When selecting the perfect mountain climbing apps, there are some things you need to be certain that of:
- Free vs. Paid
- Price
- Reviews
- Features
Free vs. Paid Editions
You need to see the characteristic distinction between the free and paid editions.
OnXHunt is the one app wherein you want a subscription to totally put it to use after the trial interval, however many of the others provide a free and premium model.
Check the Price
You must also be aware of the value.
If one app expenses extra for a similar options as a less expensive app, that’s one thing to think about.
Avenza Maps is exclusive in that you simply pay for the topography maps solely, however may also discover free public use maps as effectively.
Depending on the options you’ll want, you could or might not must pay for the premium model.
Read the Reviews
Make certain to learn the evaluations of the app you’re goes to be your only option.
We all know that typically ideas on an app are spoofed, or could be wildly inaccurate primarily based on the customers false expectations of the app.
So, I all the time recommend you search for evaluations on mountain climbing blogs you discover on-line. Those are the people who find themselves utilizing these mountain climbing apps probably the most.
They need to guarantee their repute is protected, in order that they sometimes received’t misinform you.
Decide which options you’ll want
When selecting an app, make sure you perceive what options are supplied within the version you need to use.
For instance, to obtain your GPS observe on Strava, you need to be a premium member of the app.
To obtain a map for offline use on AllTrails, you need to must PRO version.
Read the advantages and options of every plan very rigorously earlier than you select, and in addition remember to take a look at our app comparability desk above.
FAQs
Let’s have a look at a few of the commonest ceaselessly requested questions regarding the perfect mountain climbing apps to make use of for out of doors recreation.
What is the Best Free Hiking App?
The most used free mountain climbing app is AllTrails. The options for the free version are very beneficiant.
If you’re mountain climbing in areas which were developed sufficient to have mobile phone reception, then the free model of AllTrails might be the one app you’ll want.
Because of its reputation, there are tons of mountain climbing trails on the app, and extra are added each day.
What is the perfect paid mountain climbing app?
Again, I’m going to decide on AllTrails for this query. AllTrails PRO lets you obtain maps for offline use.
That is the principle characteristic you need in a paid mountain climbing app—a variety of areas the place mountain climbing trails haven’t any mobile phone reception.
Unless you should utilize maps offline, an app for mountain climbing will probably be ineffective.
What is the perfect GPS app for mountain climbing?
Avenza Maps is likely one of the finest mountain climbing apps I’ve ever used for its GPS accuracy.
Because the app and its maps are so user-friendly, it isn’t difficult to remain on the path primarily based on how the map tracks your motion via GPS.
You may even open up your listing of downloaded maps and see what map you’re at present on quite than trying to find the map you assume you’re on.
Most maps on Avenza are additionally created by public land managers, which ensures higher accuracy of created maps.
Does Google Maps work for mountain climbing?
Google Maps just isn’t an excellent resolution to be used whereas mountain climbing. Google Maps is a superb device to make use of at dwelling when planning a hike.
I’ll usually use it to search out roads close to an space I need to hike after which have a look at satellite tv for pc view to search out issues that may assist me spot the world after I’m on the street, like huge barns and ponds.
But there are not any precise offline makes use of of Google Maps, and it lacks good mountain climbing path options. I’d by no means advocate utilizing it offline.
Can you utilize your telephone’s GPS for Hiking?
Your telephone often has GPS in-built. That GPS characteristic will work together with downloaded and offline maps that will help you navigate.
You need the GPS characteristic in your telephone to be enabled and turned on for app use. But don’t depend on the default map apps that include your telephone.
For instance, I’ve an iPhone, and it comes with Apple Maps. The Apple Maps characteristic doesn’t work when I’ve no mobile phone reception.
It additionally doesn’t have correct mountain climbing maps on it. That’s as a result of that app wasn’t created for mountain climbing. Use an app created for land navigation to get the perfect outcomes.
What app do hikers use?
I’ve observed that a variety of hikers have a tendency to make use of a variety of completely different apps for various causes. I’ve each app listed above downloaded onto my telephone.
I take advantage of them for various issues. I take advantage of AllTrails to search out hikes near me when visiting different areas away from dwelling.
I take advantage of Avenza for maps nearer to dwelling and lots of mountain biking adventures. I take advantage of Gaia to report places I need to save for the longer term.
I take advantage of OnXHunt after I need to hike off the crushed path and discover extra rugged and distant areas of the forest.
And I take advantage of Strava to report my hikes in order that different folks can see the place I’m going and preserve observe of my month-to-month and yearly mileage.
Is the AllTrails app value it?
I really feel that AllTrails is an app value getting. Most of the paths are precise trails, and the maps are correct.
But typically, the paths are usually not so correct or well-maintained. But AllTrails has a beautiful characteristic that lets you learn path use evaluations from different folks.
They usually embrace images and any details about how unhealthy the path is perhaps. It is value studying the evaluations earlier than you go in order that you recognize what you is perhaps getting your self into.
That stated, some trails on AllTrails are fully user-created and will not be designated.
That may very well be an issue for some folks. The app’s reputation helps make sure that most mountain climbing trails in any given space are listed on the app, and that makes the app probably the greatest mountain climbing apps obtainable.
My Verdict
Now that you recognize what the perfect mountain climbing apps are to select from, it is best to begin utilizing every one to search out the perfect for you and your wants.
But in case you are in a rush to get out on the paths, remember to take a look at my advisable total finest decide first – the AllTrails Hiking App.
It’s by far and away the perfect free mountain climbing app on the market, serving to you to not solely uncover new trails, however learn evaluations from those that have lately hiked them, and rather more!