Top Hiking Apps to Navigate the Outdoors
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Hiking is an excellent way to unplug and connect with nature, but for those open to it, modern hiking apps and wearable technology can actually enhance the experience. These tools help users discover and plan their next outdoor adventure while making the experience safer and creating a sense of community among fellow hikers on similar journeys.
From serious hikers planning week-long trips, to those who enjoy a morning hike on the weekend, hiking apps provide trail databases, advanced GPS tracking, real-time updates on trail conditions, advanced fitness metrics and more.
Read on for Victra’s top hiking apps to help outdoor enthusiasts conquer the trails, along with a breakdown of the latest smartwatches that seamlessly pair with these apps, making it easier than ever to plan and tackle the next adrenaline-filled adventure.
AllTrails
AllTrails, which was selected as the 2023 Apple App of the Year, is an excellent companion for anyone interested in hiking, mountain biking, climbing or camping. With a database of over 400,000 trails, AllTrails leverages user-generated reviews, photo uploads and tips to create a community of hikers helping hikers. The app also tracks users’ progress along trails and incorporates filtering by trail categories, such as distance, elevation gain and pet-friendliness, among others. Additionally, users can further contribute to the community by adding their own trails to the database.
AllTrails operates on a freemium model, with the free version granting users access to trail information and performance tracking, as long as they have service on the trail. The premium version, AllTrails+, offers offline trail map downloads and 3D previews of trails, perfect for experienced users who love the free version and are looking for even more tools to assist their off-grid excursions.
Gaia GPS
A leading GPS navigation app among hikers is Gaia GPS. Pronounced ‘Guy – Ah,’ the app is named after the Greek goddess of the earth and designed for hikers, bikers and backpackers. With a comprehensive trail database and a variety of map-viewing layers, including high-resolution topographic, satellite and trails, the app is celebrated for its incredibly accurate maps, while also boasting features including route planning and the ability to create custom waypoints.
Similar to AllTrails, Gaia GPS operates on a freemium model, however, it has two separate premium versions, Gaia GPS Premium and Outside+. The premium tier gives users the ability to download offline maps and additional features, such as private and public land overlays, US Hunting Maps and NatGeo Trails. The highest tier, Outside+, includes all the features of Gaia GPS Premium, along with online courses, access to Outside Watch TV and a subscription to Outside Network.
Avenza Maps
Avenza Maps is a GPS mapping app designed for outdoor navigation that gives users access to a variety of different maps, including topographic, trail and recreational options, to suit their outdoor adventure needs. Notably, Avenza allows users to download maps for offline use, while utilizing a device’s built-in GPS to pinpoint a user’s precise location on any georeferenced map, even when they’re without an internet connection.
Avenza Maps’ offline functionality is included in the free version. However, the premium version, Avenza Plus, offers additional enhanced features, such as the ability to import up to 20 outside maps at a time, whereas the free version only supports three at a time. In both versions of the app, users can purchase maps created by professional map publishers from around the world, using the built-in Avenza Map Store.
Strava
For those who dabble in hiking and beyond, the Strava app is designed as a one-stop-shop for those who ‘Run, Ride and Hike.’ With over 30 different activity types, including runs, cycles, swims, hikes and more, Strava provides detailed analytics on a users’ performance metrics, such as distance, pace, heart rate and others. Strava is also designed as a social platform, encouraging users to share workouts, follow friends, participate in challenges and post on their feed.
Strava is compatible with a variety of GPS devices including phones, smartwatches and head units. The app also offers both free and premium options, with the premium version unlocking additional features including personalized training plans and advanced analytics.
FarOut
For serious outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy thru-hiking, long-distance hiking, biking and paddling, FarOut is a navigation app designed specifically for major long-distance routes like the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. The app offers detailed, interactive maps of these trails, featuring waypoints that provide essential information on water sources, terrain updates and real-time comments from other hikers. FarOut also fosters community by allowing users to share trail conditions, updates and experiences with fellow adventurers. Additionally, the app’s Check-in feature lets hikers share their location and personalized messages to friends and family to keep them informed.
While the app itself is free, users must purchase a guide for each of the trails they wish to hike, with prices varying depending on the trail. All guide purchases are lifetime purchases, so once a user purchases a guide for a specific trail, they’ll get all future updates to the trail info for free. Alternatively, users planning on hiking multiple trails can opt to subscribe to FarOut Unlimited, giving them access to over 200 comprehensive guides.
Wearable Tech for Hikers of All Levels
For hikers looking to up their technology game, it’s worth exploring the latest wearable devices compatible with these apps, available through Victra. Offering a wide selection of wireless devices from leading brands like Apple, Samsung and Google, Victra provides access to cutting-edge wearable tech, all supported by Verizon’s reliable 5G network.
For Apple users, the Apple Watch Series 10, released in September 2024, is the brand’s thinnest model yet, featuring its largest display to date. A standout feature is the wide-angle OLED screen, which enhances readability from different viewpoints, making it ideal for users on the move. In addition to the classic aluminum finishes, the Series 10 also offers a choice of three polished titanium options: natural, gold and slate.
For Samsung users, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, released in July 2024, is another great smartwatch with a large display and excellent stats. Most notably, the watch is built for durability, with water resistance up to 100 meters and certification to operate in altitudes ranging from 500 meters below sea level to 9,000 meters above. The watch also provides users with a daily score that calculates their physical readiness for the day based on metrics from the previous day including sleep, heart rate and steps.
Last but not least, Google users can utilize the Google Pixel Watch 3, released in September, 2024. The watch employs an Actua display, which is bigger, brighter and more responsive than any of Google’s previous smartwatches. The watch also has a built-in feature that allows users to access Google Maps while offline.
Plan the hike of your dreams with these top-notch apps, available on both iOS and Android, powered by the latest wearable technology for top-notch performance and analytics. For more information, visit www.Victra.com.
is a skilled Web Developer and Designer. He builds and designs websites that focus on best UI/UX practices. Justin is also a Verizon Product Expert at Victra, helping customers with Verizon products and services. His mix of design, coding, product, and general knowledge makes him a valuable and knowledgeable team member.
