AllTrails+: User-Friendly and Feature-Rich

AllTrails+ is the big name in hiking apps, and for good reason. It’s incredibly user-friendly and features a huge active userbase that writes regular reviews, shares photos, and rates trails. With AllTrails+, you can easily search for trails by distance and diffuculty, and on more popular trails, you can find up-to-date info by digging through recent the trail reviews. The app is perfect for those who are looking for well-trodden paths and want to avoid any unexpected surprises.

One standout feature of AllTrails+ is the Wrong Turn Alert. Imagine this: you’re deep in the woods, maybe chatting with a friend or just lost in your thoughts, and suddenly your phone buzzes. That’s AllTrails+ letting you know you’ve strayed off the trail. It’s like having a hiking buddy who keeps you from wandering too far off course. This is super helpful for new hikers, but might be a pain if you intend to stray off the beaten path.

Another great feature is the Live Share button, which lets you share your location in real time with selected contacts. It’s a nice safety net, ensuring someone knows where you are at all times. Whether you’re a casual hiker or a seasoned trekker, AllTrails+ offers a simple, reliable experience that’s hard to beat. Next up, AllTrails vs Strava, how does Strava compare?

Strava: The Athlete’s Companion

Next up is Strava, an app that’s very popular among athletes, particularly cyclists and runners. Strava’s approach to hiking is a bit different from AllTrails+. It’s less about the trails and more about the activity itself. Strava is known for its social media-like features, where you can track your hikes, share your progress, and even compete with friends.

One of the key features of Strava is its Route Builder tool. While not as robust as some might like, it’s great for mapping out a trail in advance, especially if you’re hiking in an urban environment or planning a mixed activity outing. Another feature, Beacon, allows you to share your real-time location with others, similar to AllTrails+’s Live Share.

Strava shines when you’re interested in more than just hiking. If you also cycle, run, or engage in other distance-based sports, Strava is a great all-in-one app. Plus, it adds a competitive edge to your adventures—who doesn’t like a bit of friendly (or unfriendly) rivalry?

OnX Backcountry: The Hardcore Adventurer’s Tool

Finally, we have OnX Backcountry, the app I personally favor. OnX is less about finding pre-made trails and more about creating your own adventure. It’s like having a cartographer in your pocket, ready to help you chart a course through the wild.

OnX is especially useful when you’re planning multi-day trips or need to navigate complex routes. It offers point-to-point measuring, which helps you figure out distances as the crow flies—a handy tool when you’re exploring less-traveled areas. One of its most impressive features is the ability to customize your offline maps. You can zoom in and out, choose different levels of satellite detail, and download exactly the region you need.

For those who hike, bike, ski, or climb, OnX Backcountry offers tailored functionality that makes it easy to view trails and routes specific to your activity. While it may be a bit intimidating at first, once you get the hang of it, OnX Backcountry becomes an indispensable tool for serious adventurers.

Which Hiking App Is Right for You?

AllTrails+ is perfect for the casual hiker who wants a user-friendly app with plenty of trail options and safety features. When comparing AllTrails vs Strava, Strava is ideal for those who enjoy a mix of activities and like to add a social or competitive element to their outings. OnX Backcountry is the go-to for hardcore adventurers who need detailed, customizable maps and the ability to plan complex routes.

Ultimately, the best app for you depends on your hiking style and needs. Have you tried any of these apps? I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going.

Happy trails!

The post AllTrails+ vs Strava vs OnX Backcountry: Best Hiking Apps Comparison appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Luckily for me, technology has made it easier to keep yourself from getting turned around in the forest. One such piece of technology is the AllTrails app. Whether you're a novice hiker or an experienced trekker, the AllTrails app is a game-changer, offering a wealth of features that enhance safety and enjoyment on the trail.

The Power of AllTrails

AllTrails is the world's number one camping and backpacking navigational app, providing detailed information on over 400,000 trails across the globe. This includes everything from trail length and elevation to community-curated photos and reviews from fellow hikers. And the best part? All of this is available for free. But you might be wondering, why pay $36 a year for AllTrails Plus, the premium subscription service? Let’s dive into the features and see if it’s worth it.

AllTrails Plus: A Closer Look

The primary limitation of the free version of AllTrails, like any navigational app, is its reliance on internet connectivity. When you're deep in the wilderness, far from the nearest cell tower, this can become a problem. This is where AllTrails Plus steps in with its standout feature: downloadable interactive maps. With AllTrails Plus, you can download maps and use them offline, ensuring you always have access to vital navigational information, no matter how remote your location.

Key Features of AllTrails Plus

Downloadable Maps

This feature allows you to download trail maps ahead of your hike and access them anytime, anywhere. It’s incredibly convenient and provides an extra layer of security, ensuring you never lose your way, even in areas without internet access.

Wrong Turn Alerts

One of my favorite features is the wrong turn alert. If you stray off the designated path, the app will buzz to notify you, helping you stay on track and avoid getting lost. This is especially useful for new hikers or in complex trail systems.

Lifeline

This is an emergency contact system that lets you share your planned route with multiple people. You can update your contacts about your status during your hike, providing peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. Lifeline is easy to set up and use, making it a valuable tool for any hiking trip.

Smartwatch Compatibility

For those with smartwatches, AllTrails Plus allows you to view your map on your wrist. This means you don’t have to take out your phone every time you want to check your location, adding convenience and efficiency to your hike.

Advanced Map Details

The app offers various filters such as air quality, light pollution, pollen, and heat maps, which show population densities on the trail. These details can help you plan your hike better, whether you're looking for a quiet trail or the perfect spot for stargazing.

Curated Guides

With over 200 guides available from the desktop site, AllTrails Plus provides collections of interesting trails and scenic views. These guides are perfect for planning trips and discovering new destinations.

Printable Maps

Although we live in a digital age, having the option to print a map can be handy (and is, in my opinion, 100% necessary for maximum safety). AllTrails Plus allows you to print maps in PDF format, adding another layer of preparation for your adventures.

Sorting Trails by Distance

This feature lets you find trails based on their proximity to your location, making it easier to plan spontaneous hikes.

Is AllTrails Plus Worth It?

For me, the safety features alone make AllTrails Plus worth the investment. Knowing you have a reliable, interactive map and the added security of wrong turn alerts can boost your confidence and enhance your enjoyment of the outdoors. These features are invaluable, whether you’re a beginner navigating new trails or an experienced hiker exploring complex routes.

However, it's important to remember not to over-rely on technology. Always carry a paper map as a backup, as phones can get wet, break, or run out of battery. Technology should complement your skills, not replace them.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I highly recommend AllTrails Plus for its robust safety features and enhanced navigation tools. It offers a level of confidence and preparedness that can significantly improve your hiking experience. So, get out there, explore, and enjoy the beauty of nature with the peace of mind that AllTrails Plus provides. Happy hiking, and stay safe!

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Seek Qualified Instruction and then Practice, Practice, Practice!

I will do my best to give you a basic overview for navigating the backcountry. There is only so much that can be transferred in a blog post. If you are serious about becoming your own best resource out there, then it is important to get real-world practice with an expert.

I recommend bribing one of your friends or family-members who have demonstrable navigation skills. You can sign up for a formal navigation class through a local outfitter or agency. Once you are comfortable with the principles of navigation, practice what you've learned in low-risk settings.

Ultimately, there's no substitute for just getting out in the woods with a hiking map and compass in hand, and connecting the dots. A good hiking app can help make the planning phase easier but you should be familiar with backcountry navigation.

Always Carry a Paper Hiking Map and Compass

Now, when I say “always,” I'm referring to hikes that take you miles from civilization. Hikes into national forests, canyons, mountain passes, etc. If you are simply sticking to a well-marked out-and-back or looped trail in a national/state park, then you'll most-likely be fine with just the day hiking essentials for beginner hikers.

If you get a little mixed up, or want to check the remaining distance, your smartphone will bail you out. 

With all of that said, for any kind of advanced treks in which markers can be missed, trails can split, so having a high-quality map is a must. You will find National Geographic or U.S. Geological Survey hiking maps at places such as outdoor shops, ranger stations, national park visitor centers, or online.

Just be absolutely certain that the hiking map in your hand covers the region you'll be hiking through. Sometimes this will mean carrying multiple maps. For instance, I posted some videos recently from the Wind River Range in Wyoming. But the National Geographic map is split into a North and a South version. The trail I took stayed entirely within the North section. 

Magnetic Declination

Because True North and Magnetic North are slightly off kilter, it will be necessary to calibrate your compass accordingly. When you open up your map, there should be a little section that you can place your compass on, and then rotate the dial to account for this angular difference. For example, I needed to twist my dial 10-degrees East because of the magnetic declination in the Wind River Range (North).

After making this adjustment, I was then able to use my compass and map normally, and know that it was aligned to True North. Though the gap may seem small, it makes a significant difference over large distances. 

For a visual representation of how to calibrate for declination, and then physically orient yourself for cross-country navigation (or in the event that you get lost), skip ahead to this section of the video below. 

How to Use a Hiking App on Your Phone

It's official, using a smartphone in the backcountry is now common practice. I myself rely on my phone most of the time, but it's important to recognize its limitations. Both cell service and batteries can evaporate deep in the wilderness (and phones themselves can get lost or broken) and so this can't be your only method of navigation – a physical map should reside in your pack. But with that said, let's look into the advantages of a smartphone. 

For a while, I was using the CalTopo app. Though I was pleased with what it offered, and do still recommend it to certain people, I just found its layout to be quite technical. Nowadays, I prefer to use the onX backcountry app. This platform blends easy-to-use, intuitive information with some of those technical specs.

OnX Backcountry Hiking App

For most people, features such as exact trail profiles will far surpass what a paper map can indicate. For instance, onX lays out the elevation changes in a clear, two-dimensional graph. This delivers a more accurate sense of what the hike will entail in terms of intensity, but also general reference points. If the profile says that the trail rises 3,000 feet in 2 miles but the next half an hour is all flat hiking, then you know you missed a turn somewhere. 

OnX also provides trail descriptions, photos, and trip reports from other users. All of these components help me to plan my trips, as well as execute them. I even learn about awesome alternative routes in the same area by scanning around on the map. Often the same handful of popular trails make it into the guidebooks and blogs, but other well-blazed and satisfying hikes go widely unnoticed. 

What I find to be the most useful about the onX app is that you can download the maps in advance and then keep your phone on airplane mode while hiking in order to preserve its battery life. Even while offline, the app is still communicating with GPS and gives you very accurate, up-to-date information about your location. I can generally get 3 to 4 days on a single charge if I mostly keep my phone offline. 

There are other great trail apps out there, such as AllTrails, Gaia, and Strava, but onX is the one that I have used the most, and can therefore personally recommend. 

Don't Solely Rely on Someone Else 

Even if you're with an experienced hiker who is confident in their navigation skills and has a map/compass/app, I think it's a good idea to be hands-on in the process. Everybody makes mistakes and two heads are better than one. It's fine to let someone else take the reins, but still bring your own tools, know how to use them, and check them periodically.

This doesn't need to be done with a treasonous tone. Quite the opposite, actually. If you're hiking with someone who knows their way around the backcountry, then ask them to show you how they are navigating. By the end of the trip you will have seriously leveled up as an explorer. 

I hope you all found this introduction to navigation helpful. You may want to follow this up with some formal, in-person instruction, but at the very least, you now have a sense of some previously unknown dynamics and variables.

The backcountry is a great place to find yourself, but not if you get physically lost in the process! So empower yourself with more knowledge, and get your hands on some paper maps in conjunction with those fancy apps. Have fun out there and stay the course!

For more instructional aids, gear reviews, and epic adventures, head on over to BackpackingTV. 

Navigation Apps: onX backcountry, CalTopo app, AllTrails, Gaia, Strava
Clothing: Otero Fleece Full-Zip Hooded Jacket – Men’s

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