16 Best Hiking Apps You Need To Download

One of my biggest fears when it comes to the outdoors is getting lost. Luckily I have become more confident in my abilities due to new technology. I can now hike without the fear of getting lost because of cool apps with trail maps. That is why if you are just getting into hiking or backpacking, you need to download the best hiking apps today! I have listed 16 of them which include free and paid subscriptions. So check out my list below to find the perfect app for you for the outdoors! Stay safe, my friend!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. 

The Best Hiking Apps

Best Planning Apps For Hiking

AllTrails App

AllTrails is my favorite App to use on this list. Why? Because it has over 200,000 trails! Also, many people write reviews and trail reports on this app. So if you are trying to see if the trail has snow (and you are trying to avoid snow like I usually do), then head to AllTrails.com and see if someone has posted about the trail recently.

The app is free to use, but you can pay for the plus version, which lets you download maps onto your phone. If you are an avid hiker, the plus version is worth it because you can still use the map even if you have no cell service. The app can also record your stats like mileage and elevation gain, and there is even a lifeline feature. Lifeline is an AllTrails Pro feature that keeps your friends and loved ones informed while you are out on the trail.

I also like that the App pings you when you are off the trail. This has been especially helpful when hiking during sunset. I have gone the wrong way a few times, and AllTrails lets me know right away.

iOS and Android; free, or Pro for $29.99/year

Gaia GPS

Another one of the best hiking apps out there is the Gaia GPS App. If you talk to most frequent hikers, they either have AllTrails or Gaia. AllTrails is a little easier to use, but Gaia is great for advanced hikers.

Like many other trail apps, you can use the app for free, but to use the offline maps (when you have no cell service), you have to purchase the premium version. You can also create your own maps and print them out from your desktop (with the premium version). 

The Pro version also features historical topo maps, illustrated trail maps from National Geographic, backpacking maps, offroad maps, backcountry ski maps, and mountain biking maps. This app is great if you want to take outdoor travel to the next level!

iOS; free, or Pro for $39.99/year

Hiking Project

If you are on a budget, then you definitely need to add Hiking Project to your phone! Hiking Project was created by none other than REI, and it features 74,817 trails that other hikers add. If you want to use the maps offline, you can download the trail onto your phone for free!

This app has more of a guidebook type of feel and is more community-driven. It has fantastic trail descriptions and is known to be one of the top apps for hikers.

Hiking Project is free to use

Google Maps

Google Maps is what I usually use to get to the trailhead. But did you know that you can download a portion of the map and use it while offline? I love doing this when I am traveling to other countries and when I go to national parks or national forests. I don’t use it as my main source for trail guidance because trails are not as accurate as other apps, but I do download maps in case my other app’s navigation is on the fritz.

Google Maps is free to use

Google Earth

Google Earth is a great way to see how trails actually look with elevation gain. It is so different looking at a trail in 3D than it is to look at it in 2D. It gives you a better sense of how difficult the trail will be and if there are any good water sources nearby.

Google Earth is free to use

Windy

If you are a hiker, then you definitely need to use Windy.com for weather information. I absolutely love this app! I pretty much use it every week to see which areas of Washington I can hike. It is a little difficult to use at first, but it does get easier to use with practice. I love that you can see how much cloud cover or rain there will be in a specific area. I have also been able to predict cloud inversions using this app (you can see if there is low cloud cover).

With weather sites like weather.com, it is sometimes difficult to see the weather in mountain areas. Windy.com makes it so much easier!

There is a free version and a pro version. I use the Free version, and I don’t see a need for the Pro version as the Free Version has been pretty accurate for me. The Pro Version does have one-hour forecasts compared to three-hour forecasts.

Free, or Pro for $29.99/year

FatMap

Downloading FatMap is free, but you have to pay a premium subscription to use all of its features. What is awesome about this app is that the maps are detailed in 3D! If you need a better visual representation than a 2D map, this is a great alternative, but you can use Google Earth for free.

Free, or Pro for $50.00/year

WTA

This App is probably one of the best Apps on this list, but I only recommend it for certain people. These are trails are only located in Washington State. So if you live in Washington or are coming to visit during the beautiful summer months, then you have to check out this awesome app!

WTA writes in-depth trail information, something that is lacking with AllTrails. There is also the mileage, elevation gain, and they are pretty accurate when there are trail closures. People also write their reviews of the trails and trip reports. WTA is my first go-to app when researching a trail in Washington, and AllTrails is my second go-to App.

You can also find hikes by using a map and filtering it. It is pretty awesome.

WTA is Free To Use

Peak Bagger

Peakbagger.com was launched in 1997 and is one of the original websites that discussed mountain peaks worldwide. The website still has its 90’s look to it, but don’t let that detract you as there is so much powerful hiking and climbing information on this site.

The app is also pretty awesome because you can download the maps to your phone for free. It might take getting used to, but if you are looking for a free navigation app, this is a great one.

Peak Bagger is Free To Use

Cairn

Cairn is a great app for safety that can notify your loved ones if you are running late on the trail. It can also show you areas where there might be cell phone coverage by using crowdsourced information. You can also use it to record and download maps and trail information. This includes trail distance, elevation gain, and travel ETA.

It is free to download but most of the features do require a subscription.

iOS, free, or Premium (60-day free trial, then $4.99/month or $26.99/year)

GuidePace

Guide Pace is an app that helps calculate your time on the trail. This is especially useful if you want to let your family and friends know how long it will take you to finish the trail. The only negative about this app is that you still have to calculate your Munter Rate.

iOS ($4.99/year) and Android (3.99/year)

The NPS Apps

Do you want to use an offline trail App at national parks but don’t want to pay a yearly fee? Then make sure to download the NPS App! This App is free to use, and you can download information on the whole park before you lose service.

The map is my favorite feature because you can see where exactly you are on any of the hiking trails, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Rangers created this, so it has some great information and guides on each park. The only problem with this app is that it is limited to 423 parks. There some parks I searched and couldn’t find. But for being free, this is still a pretty nifty app.

The NPS App is Free To Use

Avalanche Forecast

If you live in an avalanche zone area, it might be a good idea to download the Avalanche Forecast App. This App helps me decide which areas I would feel comfortable snowshoeing in.

Of course, just because it says the avalanche danger is low does not mean you should go. Avalanches can still occur, especially in hazardous areas. There is an extremely popular winter hike that is avalanche-prone in Washington(snow lake), and many people still attempt it. I only recommend these hikes for people that know how to spot an avalanche and what to do if there is an avalanche. Be safe!

Avalanche Forecast is Free To Use

Best On Trail Apps

Seek By iNaturalist

Are you interested in all the plants, trees, fungi, and birds surrounding you while hiking? Well, there is an awesome app for you! Seek by iNaturalist can tell you what type of birds or plants you see, and it can even be used offline. You also get badges for all the cool species you find, which is even neater! Everything you find in the app also helps with scientists’ research as the pictures will be shared with scientific data repositories.

Seek is Free To Use

PeakFinder

This is a great app to find the name and elevations of 350,000 peaks around the world. Just hold up your phone, and it will tell you the names. The app functions completely offline, which is pretty great!

One time fee of $4.99

Peak Visor

PeakVisor is another version of finding peak names and elevations of mountains on trails, but it is pricier than Peak Finder. The reason for that may be because it has over 1,016,681 peaks around the world. That is a lot more peaks than Peak Finder, so it all depends if you want to pay more for more information on the mountains.

$29.99/year

Final Thoughts On Free Hiking Apps

Thanks for reading all about the best hiking apps. Make sure to check out some of my other blog posts:

• How To Prevent And Treat Blisters When Hiking
• Wildlife Safety Tips
• What Are The 7 Principles Of Leave No Trace
• 13 Best Places To Buy Discounted Outdoor Gear
• The 16 Best Backpacking and Camping Hygiene Tips For Outdoorsy Women
• The 26 Best Hikes in the World | Most Beautiful Hiking Trails

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