5 Best Free Hiking Apps
Typically we head outdoors in order to unplug, however, these 5 hiking apps help you get there! Take a look at the best hiking apps available for outdoor adventure planning, navigation, and survival!
1. (WTA) Washington Trails Association
Platform: IOS, Android, Windows
Price: Free
Features: expansive trail search, trip reports, directions to trailhead, current weather conditions
We’ll start local. We love using this app because it allows us to search for hikes all over Washington state. You can search trails by name, location, difficulty, whether or not it is pet-friendly/kid friendly, and other criteria. You can save hikes offline, submit trip reports, and even get weather conditions and driving directions to trailheads (with updates of road closures).
2. All Trails
Price: Free
Features: expansive trail search, trip reports, directions to trailhead, current weather conditions
This app is similar to WTA, but covers all US states and even Canada! All trails covers over 50,000 Canadian and U.S. trails with trail reports curated from over millions of users.
3. Yonder
Platform: IOS
Price: Free
Features: geo-located images, 20,000 destination database, follow fellow outdoor enthusiasts
We love Yonder because we can share our experiences with like-minded social media users. We can also use it to get inspired. Seeing others post photos from hikes encourages us to try those hikes out ourselves.
4. Roadtrippers
Price: Free
Features: location database, fuel cost estimation, navigation, booking accommodations
This app is amazing for preparing for a…Roadtrip. Seems obvious, but we really do love this app. We have taken several road trips that were planned using this app. It suggests hotels along your route, fun towns to make sure you stop in, and even estimates your travel time, mileage, and cost of gas. It is very accurate and very helpful.
5. Chimani National Parks
Price: Free
Features: expansive trail search, real-time event information, GPS, works without wifi/data
The app provides you with options ranging from general park information and shuttle schedules to hiking trails, scenic views, food and lodging, waterfalls, and even where the nearest bathroom is!
BONUS APP
It’s not a free hiking app, but it’s one of our favorites and it is a very powerful one.
Gaia Maps
Price: $19.99
Features: expansive trail search, offline maps, navigate & record hikes, geotag photos
Gaia has been a life-saver for us, literally! We have been out on a trail that had a recent snowfall of about 5 feet and lost the trail. Thanks to Gaia Maps we had been recording out trek and were able to pinpoint where we had strayed from the trail and used it to get back on track while snow shoeing.
What are some of your favorites?
