Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a beginner planning your first backpacking adventure, having the right tools on your phone can make all the difference. Today, there are a variety of apps designed to enhance your outdoor experience, providing navigation, safety features, and useful information about trails, weather, and gear. Here’s our guide to the top 10 best apps for hikers and backpackers, ensuring your next adventure is safe, well-prepared, and fun.
1. AllTrails
Best for: Trail discovery and reviews
AllTrails is one of the most popular apps for hikers, featuring over 200,000 trail maps across the world. It offers user-generated trail reviews, ratings, difficulty levels, and detailed maps that work offline. Whether you’re looking for short day hikes or multi-day backpacking routes, AllTrails has something for everyone. With options to filter by location, length, difficulty, and user ratings, you can find the perfect hike for your needs.
Features:
- Interactive trail maps
- Offline access to maps
- Reviews and ratings by fellow hikers
- Customizable filters for trail search
2. Gaia GPS
Best for: Advanced navigation and route planning
Gaia GPS is a favorite among experienced hikers and backpackers due to its detailed topographic maps, trail tracking features, and powerful route planning tools. It’s especially useful for off-the-beaten-path adventures where cellular service might be sparse. You can plan your route, track your progress, and share your location with others for safety.
Features:
- Topographic and satellite maps
- Offline map availability
- Customizable route planning tools
- Tracking and location sharing
3. Komoot
Best for: Multi-sport navigation and route planning
Komoot is great for those who enjoy hiking, cycling, and other outdoor sports. This app helps you plan your route with detailed maps and voice-guided navigation. The app also allows you to choose your level of difficulty and the type of terrain you want to tackle, making it suitable for beginners and experienced adventurers alike.
Features:
- Voice-guided navigation
- Route planning for various outdoor activities
- Offline maps
- Weather forecasts
4. Cairn
Best for: Safety and location sharing
Cairn is an essential app for hikers who prioritize safety. It allows you to share your location and hike plans with loved ones, ensuring they know your whereabouts in case of emergency. Cairn also provides signal predictions, so you know when you’ll have reception on your hike, as well as helpful tips for planning hikes in remote areas.
Features:
- Location sharing with trusted contacts
- Signal predictions and reception maps
- Offline access to your trip details
- Emergency alerts and check-ins
5. ViewRanger (Now part of Outdooractive)
Best for: Detailed maps and offline capabilities
ViewRanger, now integrated with Outdooractive, is one of the leading apps for hikers, offering a wealth of topographic maps, trail recommendations, and route planning tools. With its robust offline capabilities, ViewRanger ensures that you’ll never get lost, even in the most remote areas. The app also features a social element, allowing you to share your hikes with friends and fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Features:
- Detailed topographic maps
- Offline navigation
- Community-based trail recommendations
- Tracking and sharing options
6. The Hiking Project
Best for: Comprehensive trail information
Created by the Outdoor Project, The Hiking Project provides in-depth information on thousands of trails across the United States. The app includes detailed descriptions, elevation profiles, and photos, so you can plan your hike with a clear idea of what to expect. The map also works offline, making it a reliable companion in remote areas.
Features:
- Trail descriptions and photos
- Elevation profiles and maps
- Offline maps
- User reviews and ratings
7. Windy
Best for: Weather forecasting
When hiking or backpacking, knowing the weather conditions is essential for planning and safety. Windy is a top-tier weather app that provides accurate forecasts, including wind speeds, precipitation, and temperature changes. With interactive weather maps and global coverage, it’s perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who want to stay informed about changing weather conditions on the trail.
Features:
- Detailed weather forecasts
- Interactive weather maps
- Wind speed, precipitation, and temperature data
- Global coverage
8. iOverlander
Best for: Finding campsites and amenities
iOverlander is a fantastic app for backpackers and campers, offering a comprehensive database of campsites, water sources, and other essential amenities along hiking routes. The app is user-driven, meaning fellow travelers update it regularly with new information, ensuring you’re always up to date on the best places to stop, camp, and resupply.
Features:
- Campsite and water source locator
- User-generated updates and reviews
- Offline access to information
- Global coverage of trails and amenities
9. NatureFind
Best for: Finding nearby parks and outdoor areas
NatureFind helps you locate national parks, hiking trails, and other outdoor spaces near you. Whether you’re in a new city or planning a weekend getaway, the app can guide you to scenic parks and nature reserves that offer the perfect hiking experience. It’s a great app for discovering hidden gems that might not be widely known.
Features:
- Local outdoor activity locations
- Information on parks, trails, and reserves
- Event listings for outdoor activities
- User reviews and recommendations
10. TrailForks
Best for: Mountain biking and hiking trails
For those who enjoy both hiking and mountain biking, TrailForks is an excellent app. With a comprehensive database of biking and hiking trails, it provides information on trail difficulty, terrain, and user ratings. The app is particularly useful for those looking to combine hiking and mountain biking on the same trip.
Features:
- Extensive database of biking and hiking trails
- Trail maps and difficulty ratings
- User reviews and track logs
- Offline maps
Conclusion
The right app can make your hiking and backpacking experience more enjoyable, safe, and efficient. Whether you’re looking for the best trails, weather updates, or navigation tools, the apps listed above provide all the features you need to plan and enjoy your outdoor adventures. From route planning to safety features, these apps are designed with the modern hiker and backpacker in mind, making them indispensable tools for your next journey.