The best hiking app is one that still works when your signal doesn't: offline maps, a clear route line and a way to record where you've been. Check what the free version includes, which countries it covers and whether it suits day walks or long trails. Ten apps follow in no particular order.
A good hiking app takes most of the guesswork out of a walk: where the path goes, how steep it gets and how far it's back to the car. The catch is that hiking apps are very different underneath. Some are about finding popular trails, some are serious mapping tools, and some are built for one long-distance route.
The ten apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today. Trail views are worth capturing; turning on the iPhone camera grid and level keeps horizons straight.
Hiking apps at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or store listing describes a free app, free version or open source software, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Many free hiking apps keep offline maps or premium layers behind an upgrade.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| AllTrails | Trail discovery app | Finding popular trails with reviews | Yes |
| CalTopo | Backcountry mapping tool | Detailed route planning on a computer | Yes |
| FarOut | Long-distance trail guides | Thru-hikes like the Appalachian Trail | Yes |
| Gaia GPS | Topographic map app | Offline topo maps in remote areas | Yes |
| Komoot | Route planner app | Planning hikes and bike rides | Yes |
| Organic Maps | Offline open source maps | Private offline navigation | Yes |
| OS Maps | GB mapping app | Walking with OS maps in Great Britain | Yes |
| OsmAnd | Offline map app | Deep map customisation offline | Yes |
| Outdooractive | Route guide app | European routes from tourism boards | Yes |
| PeakVisor | 3D mountain map | Naming the peaks you can see | Yes |
Ten hiking apps to try
AllTrails
Best for: Day hikers who want to find a trail nearby, read recent reviews and follow a recorded route.
CalTopo
Best for: Backcountry planners and search teams who build routes on a big screen with slope and terrain layers first.
FarOut
Best for: Thru-hikers on long trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail who need water sources and campsites marked by other hikers.
Gaia GPS
Best for: Hikers heading well beyond phone signal who want downloadable topographic maps, GPS tracking and route recording.
Komoot
Best for: People who mix walking and cycling and want a route planner that suggests paths by sport and fitness.
Organic Maps
Best for: Privacy-minded walkers who want offline maps with hiking paths and no adverts or tracking.
OS Maps
Best for: Walkers in England, Scotland and Wales who want official Ordnance Survey detail, with the Premium tier adding full map layers.
OsmAnd
Best for: Tinkerers who want offline maps they can customise, with contour lines and hill shading plug-ins.
Outdooractive
Best for: Travellers walking in Europe who want official routes from regional tourism partners alongside community tracks.
PeakVisor
Best for: Mountain walkers who want to point their camera at a ridge and see each summit named in 3D.
What the National Park Service says about navigation
Before you trust any app on a mountain, it's worth knowing what the rangers say. The National Park Service lists navigation first among its Ten Essentials: map, compass and GPS system, used both when you plan your route before the trip and when you orient yourself on the trail.
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What that means for you: an app is one part of navigation, not all of it. Phones run flat in the cold and lose signal in valleys, so carry a paper map and compass as a backup, and know how to use them.
Trail finders, mapping tools and long-trail guides
Trail finder apps are best when you want a walk near you with recent reviews and photos. Mapping tools give you detailed topographic maps, layers for slope and terrain, and route planning on a computer. Long-trail guides cover one route in depth, with water sources, campsites and comments from people walking it this season.
In Great Britain, official mapping matters a lot, because rights of way and access land are marked on it. In the US, many hikers lean on topographic maps and public land boundaries. Pick the app that's strongest where you walk.
Before you head out on a trail
- Plan the route at home and check its distance and climb.
- Download the map area for offline use while you're still on wifi.
- Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to be back.
- Start recording at the trailhead so you can retrace your steps.
- Keep your phone in a warm pocket and carry a small power bank.
- Check your position at junctions rather than waiting until you're lost.
Common mistakes with hiking apps
- Forgetting to download maps. It's the most common reason an app goes blank on the hill.
- Following the line blindly. A route drawn by someone else may cross private land or a closed path.
- Ignoring the weather. Apps show the path, not the conditions on the day.
- Draining the battery. Screen brightness and constant map checking use more power than satellite positioning itself.
- Blurry summit photos. Tap to lock the camera on the far hills; my notes on fixing iPhone camera focus explain how.
Do you make a hiking app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a hiking app
If you mostly do day walks, start with a free trail app and download the map before every walk, even if you expect signal. If you head into remote country, use a mapping app with topographic detail and learn its offline features before you need them.
For a long-distance trail, a dedicated guide for that route is worth having, because it carries information no general map will. And don't skip the paper map; it's the one tool that never needs charging.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free hiking app?
Several apps here have free versions with trail search and basic maps. Offline maps and extra layers often need an upgrade.
Do hiking apps work without signal?
Yes, if you download the map area beforehand. GPS works without mobile signal, but maps won't load unless they're saved.
Is a hiking app enough for navigation?
The National Park Service lists map, compass and GPS together as navigation essentials, so carry a backup to your phone.
Which app is best for walking in the UK?
Look for one with Ordnance Survey mapping, which shows rights of way and access land in Great Britain.
Can I plan a route on my computer and use it on my phone?
Many mapping apps let you plan on a big screen and sync the route to your phone for the walk.
How do I stop my phone dying on a hike?
Download maps in advance, turn on low power mode, keep the phone warm and carry a small power bank.
