The explosion of mobile electronics such as smartphones and tablets, along with their related apps, have resulted in numerous travel essentials you should always have with you. These range in their features from working out things like currency exchange to doing translations for you. Whether you’re finding a restaurant, getting to point of interest via Google Maps, or requesting an Uber in an unfamiliar city, there are a number of apps you just can’t go without.
While some might still turn to maps for the traditional method of planning their route and navigating from point A to point B, there are plenty fantastic apps that can give you extra information about many local attractions and show quite a few ways to get there.
We’ve already looked at many great phone apps for hikers and walkers. Keep reading to learn about nine more:
1) AllTrails App
This one is great for visiting America. It lets you find out any good walking trails that are nearby. If you enjoy them, you can track yourself with offline navigation before sharing your journeys with your friends.
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to use
2) Charity Miles App
Whether you want to enjoy a vacation stroll or just do a training walk, you can do so with purpose by walking for a charity. This app lets you pick a charity and then go for a walk, and your total miles work out to actual money.
Platform: iOS
Cost: Free to use
3) Hiking Project
This will let you know what the best hikes are in your area and even link you up with them with GPS, so you can strike out on day-walks with ease and convenience. It’s loaded with many highlights of your various walks so that you’ll never pass up a historic marker or viewpoint. Sp, take a look at this Vionics sale, get some suitable shoes and get moving.
Platforms: Android and iOS
Cost: Free to use with premium options
4) Komoot
This outdoor inspiration app offers you guidance for routes and trails for both walking and biking. The latest version, as of the time of writing, included SmartTour suggests that are based on your own location and preferences as well as local highlights or points of interest. This includes intriguing nature spots, tips, likes, and photos. It also has a planning feature you can use to chart your own course.
Platforms: Android and iOS
Cost: Free to use
5) Macs App
This app works well for many walking trips, but it can do a lot more. You get access to global maps for free, and it’s also preloaded with quite a few tours, meaning you don’t have to overthink your options or pick something out on your own. You can run this in flight mode to save on your battery charge, while also keeping roaming charges down. You’ll also have a peaceful walk free of pings and emails, among the many other interruptions a phone can use to ruin your walk.
Platform: Android and iPhone
Cost: Free to use
6) MapMyHike
Use this app to either map your route or pick out one of roughly 70 million routes that this app already has mapped. You can use it to track your personal fitness activity and even your food and diet for more information about keeping yourself in shape. You can also choose to share all of this with your friends.
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to use with paid extras to pick from
This app comes courtesy of Ramblers Scotland, and this free app earned them a GeoVation award. It uses Ordnance Survey data in order to motivate individuals to be more active on a daily basis. The app identifies and then maps out short circular walks which are categorized as bronze, silver, or gold, based on duration. Bronze walks are 15 minutes, and gold walks go up to an hour. These various walking challenges help people around the world go walking more often in their lifestyle routine.
Platforms: iOS and Android
Cost: Free to use
8) MotionX GPS
This navigation and mapping app is one you can use even without online connectivity. It uses the iPhone’s own inbuilt GPS functions to figure out your altitude, latitude, and longitude.
Platform: iOS
Cost: Various paid options to choose from
9) Type n Walk App
This one is a little different, as it lets you text while walking safely. It’s an innovative idea, but we can’t vouch for just how safe it is. However, if you need to type something while you’re hiking, at least you shouldn’t trip over a tree root or walk headfirst into something. That’s because the app uses your phone camera to display a transparent view of what’s ahead of you. Combined with your own peripheral vision, it should be enough for you to avoid any obstacles or hazards.
Platform: iOS
Cost: Paid options to pick from
