Best Hiking Apps To Try In 2024 (2024)

Hiking apps are installed on a smartphone, computer or other smart device to help users plan a hiking adventure. These apps provide the tools needed for trip planning, recording a route and logging data from a hike, such as miles walked, says Meredith Fontana, an outdoor guide based in Denver.

In addition to mapping capabilities, hiking apps provide digital resources like navigation and GPS tracking to enhance and streamline a hiker’s experience—both in the planning phase and during the trek itself, says Reed Youngbar, a hiking guide and co-owner of Beartooth Powder Guides in Cooke City, Montana.

A good hiking app provides maps that are easy to use, shows the area’s terrain and offers a satellite view to see a detailed real-world perspective, says Linda Romero, director of the outdoor blog Bearfoot Theory.

Hiking apps typically include features to help optimize a user’s experience and keep them safe, according to Fontana.

• GPS tracking monitors a hiker’s route, distance and elevation gain.
• Detailed maps provide trail navigation with a compass and built-in GPS capabilities.
• Trail information helps hikers choose the right hike based on difficulty level, distance and elevation profile.
• Safety features enable users to send messages and SOS alerts in no-call zones by syncing with satellite communication devices.
• Weather updates and forecasts provide real-time weather alerts.
• Points of interest inform users of nearby landmarks, scenic viewpoints, campsites, bathrooms, water sources and other amenities.
• Community and social features enable hikers to share routes, photos, reviews and experiences and to connect with other hikers
• Offline access allows users to download maps, trail information and other essential features without cellular service.
• Route exporting enables users to download a route into a file and to upload it into other apps or devices.

We chose five top hiking apps based on ease of use, map quality and GPS tracking ability.

AllTrails+

• Price: Basic version is free; premium version is $2.99 per month billed as an annual subscription of $35.99 per year
• Features: Database of over 400,000 trail maps, global community of over 50 million users and on-trail safety features

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Gaia GPS

• Price: Basic version is free; premium version is $3.33 per month, billed as a yearly subscription of $39.99
• Features: Route creation, topographical 3D map catalog, tracking and landmark tools, and campsite booking

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onX Backcountry GPS

• Price: Basic version is free; premium version is $2.50 per month, billed annually at $29.99. An elite membership is $8.33 per month, billed annually at $99.99.
• Features: Satellite, topographic and hybrid maps, featured trails with photos and descriptions, and unlimited offline use

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Hiking Project

• Price: Free
• Features: Trail data, comprehensive user reviews and photos, and downloadable maps

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Seek by iNaturalist

• Price: Free
• Features: Family-friendly, image recognition technology, monthly challenges to complete

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When selecting a hiking app, Andrew Kuttow, a hiking and RV travel blogger at RV Camp Gear, recommends looking for the following features:

• Offline functionality for hiking in areas without network coverage.
• User-friendliness with an intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate.
• Regular updates to ensure hikers have the most recent trail information and app features.
• Detailed trail data, including length, difficulty, elevation changes, landmarks, user reviews and photos.
• GPS and navigation tools to prevent you from getting lost.

However, while hiking apps can be helpful resources, they should be considered backup tools for navigation, says Fontana. Hikers should always prioritize learning navigation and safety skills that don’t rely on technology, such as how to use a map and compass, she adds.

Kuttow agrees—and advises hikers to consider the potential limitations of an app before venturing out for their next hike. These potential issues may include:

• Privacy. Some apps may track and store a user’s location data. Always check the privacy policy, and adjust the app settings to suit your comfort level, he says.
• Reliance on technology. Though hiking apps are handy tools, they should never replace common sense or preparation. Always carry a physical map and compass as backups, and let someone know your hiking plan, says Kuttow.
• Limited coverage. Not all apps cover all trails—especially those in more remote areas. Always check the coverage of the app for an intended hiking location before hitting the trail.
• Paid features. Some essential features, like offline maps, may only be available in the paid version of an app.
• Battery life. Using hiking apps, especially those with GPS tracking, can quickly drain a hiker’s phone battery. To avoid this, Kuttow recommends bringing a portable charger for longer hikes.

Being outdoors can have a multitude of positive effects on a person’s physical and mental health. Here are a few of nature’s heath perks.

Increased Immunity

Spending time in nature can help strengthen the immune system and may reduce inflammation, according to research. In fact, a 2021 systematic review finds that individuals who spend more time outdoors show increased biomarkers for immunity, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and natural killer cell activity.^[2]Andersen L, Corazon SSS, Stigsdotter UKK. Nature Exposure and Its Effects on Immune System Functioning: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 3;18(4):1416.

Improved Mental Health

Being outdoors can also have a profound impact on mental health, from cognitive function to psychological well-being and stress reduction. Research shows that time in nature reduces measures of acute and chronic stress, as well as risk factors for depression.^[3]Gregory N. Bratman et al. Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Sci. Adv. 5,eaax0903(2019).

Better Sleep

Access to nature and time outdoors may also help improve a person’s quality of sleep, according to a 2020 survey of U.S. adults published in Preventive Medicine. The survey shows that of over 250,000 participants, those with access to the natural environment reported less frequency of insufficient sleep.^[4]Grigsby-Toussaint DS, Turi KN, et al. Sleep insufficiency and the natural environment: Results from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Prev Med. 2015 Sep;78:78-84.

Improved Physical Health

Regular physical activity supports brain health, reduces a person’s risk of obesity and reduces their risk of serious health issues like cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and even certain cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.^[5]Benefits of Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 6/10/23.

Research also indicates that time spent in nature, combined with physical activity, makes hiking an ideal way to improve your health. Immediate benefits include reduced blood pressure, decreased stress, enhanced immune system functioning and increased focus, while long-term benefits include weight loss, decreased depression and overall wellness.^[1]Mitten D, Overholt JR, Haynes FI, D'Amore CC, Ady JC. Hiking: A Low-Cost, Accessible Intervention to Promote Health Benefits. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2016 Jul 9;12(4):302-310.