Whether you’re a hiking newbie or seasoned trailblazer, hiking apps make it a breeze to find the trek that best suits you—and stay on that trail without getting lost (unless that’s your goal). The basic versions of all hiking apps below are free, and many of the paid versions, for those who want features like offline maps, are relatively affordable. Do note that hiking apps not in offline mode will drain your battery, so be sure to carry a power bank. Plan your route, lace up your boots, shoulder your backpack, and get outside.
AllTrails
- Best for: Every type of hiker
- Download: Apple App Store | Google Play
AllTrails is one of the best resources for seeking new trails and connecting with other hikers. Search for nearby hiking routes based on your GPS location and look through crowd-sourced photos of scenic spots and detailed warnings about trail obstacles, like downed trees or particularly slippery paths. If you want to unlock more features—like downloading offline maps or live-sharing your hike—the paid version is $35.99 per year.
Gaia GPS
- Best for: Hikers in North America and Europe
- Download: Apple App Store | Google Play
The premium version of Gaia is an admittedly pricey $60 per year, but casual hikers will do fine with the free version, which is similar to AllTrails and includes basic maps (called Gaia Topo) and the ability to record activities and create routes. A good chunk of its routes are in North America and Europe, but you’ll find a handful of routes across Asia—in Hong Kong and Japan, for example—and Australia and New Zealand.
Hiking Project
- Best for: Using maps offline, for free
- Download: Apple App Store | Google Play
More than 270,000 miles covering 82,762 trails are mapped by crowd-sourced app Hiking Project. Users love that it’s quite simple, works offline, and is free—with no ads. Find trails in every state and 118 countries and territories, from France to Kyrgyzstan. You can record your hike, add trail conditions and photos, and save your favorite trails. Simply download the maps you want to use and go anywhere, even where there’s no phone service.
Map My Run
- Best for: Tracking your runs and hikes in one app
- Download: Apple App Store | Google Play
If your hikes often turn into trail runs or you want to track your pace, distance, and calories burned, go for Under Armour’s Map My Run. You can also use it to discover new trails, save popular treks and, by syncing the app to a wearable device like an Apple Watch, connect with friends and participate in challenges to stay motivated. For more serious fitness features, like heart-rate analysis and personal training plans, join the app’s MVP Membership plan for $6 a month or $30 a year.
CalTopo
- Best for: Backcountry hiking
- Download: Apple App Store | Google Play
This one is a favorite of backcountry hikers who want to dig deep into planning an off-the-path adventure. The free version gives you satellite maps with good resolution and excellent route-building capabilities. The least expensive paid version is $20 and includes offline maps and overlays like terrain analysis and weather maps. Users report it doesn’t drain their battery as much as other apps.
GPS Tracks
- Best for: A free, easy-to-use GPS for iOS
- Download: Apple App Store
For a free GPS tracking app, this one is top-notch, with a simple interface that’s easy to use. Discover and map multiple hiking trails in your favorite outdoor areas, then customize and store the routes for offline use. The iOS-only app can also specify each trail’s latitude and longitude and monitor average hiking speed and distance traveled. Android users looking for a similar GPS tool can purchase Komoot (available for iOS, too) a route-planning and trail-navigation app with pricing plans starting at $4.
This article was originally published in 2015 and most recently updated on July 17, 2024, with current information. Sophie Friedman contributed to the reporting of this story.
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