What Is The Best Trail Hiking App For A Smartphone? The Top 10

Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by Emmanuel

Hiking through the untouched wilderness beauty requires you to be armed with convenient precision technology to avoid getting lost and return safely.

However, the density of mountains, forests, and guided trails also scares many who wonder, “What is the best trail hiking application for a smartphone?”

These essential digital companions guide you to turn your hiking expeditions into healthy journeys, so let’s examine the top-rated ten.

AllTrails.

Hiking through the untouched wilderness beauty requires you to be armed with convenient precision technology to avoid getting lost and return safely.

However, the density of mountains, forests, and guided trails also scares many who wonder, “What is the best trail hiking application for a smartphone?” 

These essential digital companions teach you to turn your hiking expeditions into healthy journeys, so let’s examine the top-rated ten. 

AllTrails Features.

Over 200,000 meticulously mapped and detailed trails to cater to outdoor enthusiasts’ diverse needs; hikers, bikers, and runners safely use the following features: 

Trail Maps – This feature lets you efficiently access an extensive collection of maps, including topographic, satellite, and terrain maps. 

Offline Maps – The AllTrails Hiking App Pro feature lets you download maps for areas with limited connectivity; it ensures safe and uncompromised navigation. 

User-Generated Content – This is where the outdoor enthusiasts’ community shares photos, recordings, reviews, etc., in real time. 

Besides, the AllTrails App includes a Lifeline safety feature accessible in a pro plan to share real-time locations with your selected contacts.

Pros and Cons.

Pros:

• This hiking app lets hikers access user-generated content and insights to navigate trails safely.
• You can customize the AllTrails features to enhance searches and hiking safety.

Cons:

• Users can experience GPS connectivity issues in remote areas.
• It can also be that the app experiences occasional discrepancies in trail details and mapping accuracy, but this is rare.

Pricing.

Casual hikers can use the AllTrails free version to access many features, but enhanced functionalities require a yearly subscription at $35.99. 

Gaia GPS.

The Gaia GPS Hiking App has advanced features with high-resolution topographical and satellite maps catering to professional hikers.

An intuitive interface allows you to safely use Gaia GPS’s accurate, detailed map features in remote and uncharted terrains.

Essentail Features.

The Gaia GPS features include over 300 primary and advanced maps tailored for various outdoor activities.

The app’s offline functionality guarantees uninterrupted navigation even in inaccessible areas to enhance your safety and convenience.

Besides, The Gaia GPS integrates weather, Trailforks Pro GPS app, providing real-time data, etc.

Valuable insights ensure every user is always informed and prepared for their hiking-safe journeys.

Reliable data and various map layers also allow you to go deep in remote areas, knowing you will safely return to your loved family.

However, Gaia GPS’s advanced hiking app’s premium features can overwhelm casual hikers while being pricey.

Pricing.

Basic maps, creating routes, and recording activities features are free; they charge $3.33 per month if you add other functions, such as access to over three hundred maps and offline use.

Those needing more advanced features will be charged an additional $2.49 monthly. 

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Komoot.

Bikers, hikers, and runners suitably use the Komoot hiking app to plan routes in remote areas and enjoy memorable journeys.

Key Features.

Route Planning uses your fitness and hiking preferences to suggest effective routes and help to personalize them.

Besides, offline downloadable topographic maps enable you to safely navigate areas without internet connectivity.

You also access other essential insights, trail tips, and photos for long-distance bikepacking and hiking.

Pros and Cons.

Tailored routes, whether connected or offline, enhance your navigation experience without interruption; you also leverage engaged community real-world insights.

However, the Komoot app developers have centered it on European users; this app includes extensive map data for European regions. 

Komoot Pricing.

Anyone can download this app for free to use its essential features, but Komoot Premium requires a one-time payment of 3.99 to 29.99 euros. 

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Outdooractive (former ViewRanger).

Outdooractiver is a specialized GPS app outdoor adventurers use to brave off-the-beaten paths and trails.

This app’s developer has equipped it with the essentail navigational and informational features to trustworthy guide hikers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Key Features.

Map and Route Finder lets you access over one million content and routes experts and professionals have created to facilitate outdoor enjoyment.

Besides, a planner feature allows you to prepare your convenient different routes and publish them for easy follow.

Outdooractive maps, trail networks, and a travel guide also help you safely discover various hiking areas globally.

However, we need help finding out if the Outdooractive mobile app is entirely free or if certain features require payment; they don’t provide this information on their website.

Trailforks.

An extensive collection of interactive trail maps provides real-time insights updated for dynamic and safe outdoor moments.

Bikers and hikers can access over 600,000 trails in thousands of trail networks across nearly a hundred countries.

With such a vast database, Trailforks transcends borders to become a global platform for discovering various journeys, paths, and trails.

Trailforks also includes over half a million photos and videos enticing you to venture into the exhilarating outdoors worldwide.

Anyone can download the Trailforks app to their iPhone or Android device without paying a penny to access free features.

You can leverage GPS location and share your location, use compass direction tools, emergency help, and more.

However, certain features and tools require you to pay $17.99 up to $59.99; they are not all free.

Hiking Project.

The Hiking Project app suits novice and professional hikers as it guides them effectively.

Detailed mapping and navigation systems safely drive you through various trails so you don’t get lost in remote areas.

Primary Features.

When pre-planning your coming hikes, Hiking Project lets you know precise trail difficulty levels and specific characteristics.

Besides, the hiking community shares stunning images through this platform to aid in choosing the best scenic beauties to explore.

Pros and Cons.

Pros:

• Detailed trail information gives hikers insights into what to expect.
• A friendly-to-use interface makes navigation effortless whether a newbie or not. 

Cons:

Certain users say that this platform’s database is not as comprehensive as some of its competitors.

Unless otherwise, you don’t need to pay for this app, which is free to download and use; it suits on-budget hikers.

REI Co-op National Parks Guide.

The REI Co-op National Parks Guide App is for national park enthusiasts in the United States, developed by REI Co-op.

Key Features.

This app provides comprehensive information on trails within the US national parks to suitably inform hikers before heading to these destinations.

Users access detailed maps to plan their favorite trail trips, considering real-time weather data and the most favorable conditions.

Furthermore, you can access family-friendly field guides and other essentail features that enhance your hikes.

Pros and Cons.

REI Co-op National Parks Guide App provides comprehensive information that improves your overall hiking experience.

However, REI Co-op has only tailored this tool for the US national park trails, limiting its global use.

When downloaded on your device, you immediately access many features without subscribing or making any payment.  

PeakVisor.

The PeakVisor app suite of features includes the Ski Map, which offers detailed layouts of ski resorts to navigate the terrains safely.

Trekkers get detailed topographical information to plan and embark on hiking journeys confidently.

Besides, PeakVisor has a 3D Map to plan routes and visualize panoramic and detailed landscape views.

Sun and Moon Trail is another tool that aids campers and photographers in tracking the sun and moon’s path suitably.

You can also leverage Import Photos to identify peaks from any captured images and better keep your memories.

The PeakVisor mobile app is free to use globally; you don’t need to make any prior payment or subscription to unlock and leverage its features.

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Caltopo.

The CalTopo app includes the following indispensable features.

Slope Angle shading aids in identifying avalanche terrains and steep grades, while Snow Depth informs you about snow’s real-time conditions to better prepare for your adventure.

Besides, Daily Satellite updates you about the terrain you intend to navigate into; you know ground conditions in advance for your safety.

Water Gauge is another CalTopo tool concerning data on water levels in rivers and streams to ensure you stay safe during crossings and camping.

You can also leverage the Wind and Weather feature to forecast the climate conditions and Public Lands to identify permissible areas for camping, recreation, etc.

The basic version is free, but you can only access the classic mapping and tools, which might need to be improved.

To unlock the other outlined features, CalTopo requires users to choose between three yearly subscription plans, which cost twenty to a hundred dollars.

Wikiloc.

Millions of hikers and mountain and road bikers use the Wikiloc App to enhance their outdoor adventures enjoyably; it integrates the following tools.

Search by Passing Area lets you discover trails that pass through specific locations so you can target and personalize yiru favorite ones.

Advanced Filters also assist you in finding trails that align with your specific interests, fitness levels, and scenic preferences with ease.

Besides, the Wikiloc navigation app includes the Weather Forecast tool, enabling you to plan your outdoor activities comfortably and safely.

Developers have also equipped this app with the Specific-member Trail Search feature, which allows you to explore and share curated trails with the outdoor community.

The Wikiloc trails app is free for every outdoor enthusiast; you can access these features and leverage them conveniently without paying a penny.

Final Thoughts.

Several trail hiking apps let you choose which one suits your outdoor needs and preferences.

Whether you are a novice looking to hit the first trails or a seasoned explorer, you get what you need to conquer your favorite terrains.

That’s what we can tell about what is the best trail hiking app for a smartphone. Let’s hope you find your favorites between these top ten.