Best Apps for Hiking and Backpacking

As someone who loves spending time in the great outdoors, I know how essential it is to be well-prepared when hiking or backpacking. Over the years, I’ve come to rely on various smartphone apps to enhance my experiences in nature, helping me plan, navigate, and stay safe during my adventures. In this article, I’ll take you through my top picks for the best apps for hiking and backpacking, sharing how each one has made my trips more enjoyable and efficient.

Why Technology Has Become a Game Changer for Outdoor Adventures

Hiking used to be all about carrying physical maps, relying on natural landmarks, and knowing your route by heart. While those skills are still valuable, modern technology has revolutionized the way we explore the outdoors. Smartphones and apps allow us to access a world of information right from our pockets—whether it’s for trail maps, weather forecasts, or emergency assistance. The best apps for hiking and backpacking combine these features, ensuring that I’m always prepared, informed, and safe.

These apps do more than just help me find my way; they also enrich my hiking experience. From tracking my steps to providing weather updates and even offering offline maps for areas without service, these tools make it easier to enjoy the journey, all while minimizing risks.

AllTrails: The Best for Trail Discovery

AllTrails is, without a doubt, one of my favorite apps for hiking and backpacking. It’s a comprehensive resource for discovering new trails, whether you’re a novice or an experienced adventurer. What I love about AllTrails is the sheer volume of trail options it offers. With thousands of hiking paths all over the world, I can search for trails that fit my desired distance, difficulty level, and location.

What sets AllTrails apart is the helpful community of hikers who contribute reviews, photos, and tips. Reading firsthand accounts of a trail’s conditions can be incredibly valuable when planning my hikes. Sometimes, hikers will point out tricky spots, water sources, or hidden gems along the trail that I wouldn't have known otherwise. I also use the app's filtering options to help me find hikes with specific features, like pet-friendly or kid-friendly trails. The ability to download maps and access offline features is crucial, especially when venturing into areas with no cell signal. In addition to its trail database, AllTrails allows me to track my hike in real-time, ensuring I stay on the right path.

Gaia GPS: Navigating the Wilderness with Confidence

Gaia GPS is another app that has become a staple on my hiking trips. When I’m exploring off-the-beaten-path trails or heading into the backcountry, Gaia GPS is my go-to navigation tool. Unlike some apps that only provide basic maps, Gaia GPS offers topographic maps that show intricate details like elevation changes and terrain contours. These maps are crucial when navigating through rugged, remote landscapes.

One of the features I appreciate most is the app’s ability to download detailed maps for offline use. In areas where cell service is scarce or non-existent, this feature allows me to maintain my bearings without worrying about losing access to my navigation tools. Additionally, I can plot my own route in advance and set waypoints for significant locations like campsites, water sources, or scenic overlooks. The app’s tracking feature lets me record my progress while I hike, ensuring I don’t miss any important landmarks along the way. Whether I’m trekking through a national park or backpacking in the wilderness, Gaia GPS gives me the confidence to explore with ease.

Komoot: A Perfect App for Planning and Navigating

Komoot is a versatile app that I find indispensable when planning my hikes. While it’s not exclusively for hiking, it’s a fantastic resource for both hikers and cyclists. I rely on Komoot for its route planning features, which take into account various factors such as terrain type, difficulty level, and elevation. Whether I’m planning a short day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip, Komoot helps me create detailed, accurate routes that suit my preferences.

One of the standout features of Komoot is its voice navigation. I find this particularly helpful during long hikes where I don’t want to be constantly checking my phone for directions. The app guides me turn by turn, allowing me to stay focused on the trail and enjoy the surroundings. Additionally, Komoot offers offline maps, ensuring that I never lose my way when I’m in an area with no signal. The app also allows me to track my progress and see real-time elevation changes, which is useful when I’m tackling more challenging routes.

Trail Run Project: Trail Running and Hiking Combined

If you enjoy both hiking and trail running, Trail Run Project is an app you’ll want to check out. Although the app is tailored for runners, I find it incredibly useful for any type of trail activity. Trail Run Project offers detailed maps and descriptions of thousands of trails across the United States, with the ability to filter based on distance, difficulty, and surface type.

What sets this app apart is its focus on the running experience, but I’ve found that it works just as well for hiking. Many of the trails listed on the app have both hiking and running options, allowing me to adjust my pace depending on my mood or fitness level. Additionally, the app features real-time trail conditions, so I can avoid crowded or muddy trails and instead opt for something more peaceful and scenic. Whether I’m running or hiking, Trail Run Project gives me the insight I need to choose the best routes for my trip.

PeakFinder: Know the Peaks Around You

One of my favorite apps for hiking is PeakFinder, which allows me to identify mountain peaks and surrounding landscapes as I trek. This app is perfect for anyone who loves learning about the geography of the area they’re exploring. Simply point your phone toward any mountain, and PeakFinder will recognize it, displaying the name and elevation of the peak. It’s like having a personal guide to all the stunning peaks around me.

When I’m hiking in a new area, PeakFinder allows me to familiarize myself with the surroundings. I can see the names of nearby peaks, their elevations, and the ranges they belong to. This has enriched my hikes, making them more educational and enjoyable. PeakFinder works offline too, which is perfect when I’m in the backcountry and far from any cell towers. Whether I’m in the Alps or the Rocky Mountains, this app adds an extra layer of excitement to my adventures.

MyRadar: Stay Prepared with Weather Tracking

Weather can make or break a hiking trip. That’s why I rely on MyRadar, an app that provides real-time weather tracking and radar imagery. Before every hike, I check MyRadar to get up-to-date weather forecasts, so I can prepare for changing conditions. The app’s radar feature gives me a visual of the weather patterns in my area, helping me track storms and avoid dangerous conditions.

In the wilderness, weather can change unexpectedly, so having a tool like MyRadar gives me peace of mind. I use it to monitor rain, wind, and temperature changes throughout my hike, ensuring I can take appropriate action if the forecast turns unfavorable. The app also allows me to set alerts for severe weather, so I’m never caught off guard. Whether I’m day hiking or embarking on a multi-day backpacking adventure, staying informed about the weather is crucial, and MyRadar is my trusted companion for this task.

Outdooractive: A Comprehensive Hiking Planner

Outdooractive is an app I frequently use when I want to plan every aspect of my hiking or backpacking trip. It’s a great tool for organizing routes, tracking progress, and finding new trails to explore. What makes Outdooractive stand out is its all-in-one approach to outdoor planning. I can plot my entire route, sync my plans across devices, and even find places to stay along the way, whether it’s campsites or hostels.

The app also provides detailed trail information, including difficulty levels, terrain types, and scenic spots. It’s especially useful for long-distance hikes, as it allows me to plan my stops, water sources, and even places to resupply. I can also download maps for offline use, ensuring I always have access to the necessary information, even when I’m deep in the backcountry.

Conclusion

After years of hiking and backpacking, I’ve found that the best apps for hiking and backpacking can greatly enhance my outdoor adventures. From planning routes and navigating unfamiliar terrain to tracking weather and staying connected in remote areas, these apps have become essential tools in my outdoor toolkit. AllTrails, Gaia GPS, Komoot, and others provide the information I need to make every hike a safe and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend giving them a try, as they can take your outdoor adventures to the next level.