You’ll likely want to use this app in conjunction with another app (like the ones listed in this article) if you’re also seeking navigational help. Lanisha “L.” Renee Blount, an outdoor photographer and avid climber, is a fan of this app, as it helps her know whose ancestral lands she’s visiting, so she knows to credit them when posting an image.
Free on the App Store and Google Play.
It may not be the first thing you think about when planning a hiking excursion, but avoiding high levels of air pollution is important when it comes to exercising outdoors, as high levels can have harmful effects on lung health. This app was created by Swiss air quality company IQAir and tracks air pollution by drawing on data from thousands of sensors. The app’s real-time maps show levels of six different types of major pollutants, and its mobile website provides seven-day air pollution and weather forecasts, as well as relevant air pollution-related news and health information.
“I live in California, and now that wildfires have become a season rather than a singular event, I look to see what area has the best air quality based on winds,” Blount says. “It’s actually pretty important, and escaping to hike with the cleanest air truly helps to exhale.”
Free on the App Store and GooglePlay
According to Andy Porse, blogger at Outlife Expert, the HiiKER app is excellent for beginners who want to learn more about well-known hiking trails—and then plan their own adventure there. Each trail on the app includes a GPS map, a printable map, information about each stage of the hike, campgrounds/accommodation on the trail, and community reviews.
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“You can access information on over 4,000 of the world’s favorite trails, such as the Pennine Way, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and the Appalachian Trail,” he says. “HiiKER’s design and user interface is nice-looking, making it a joy to scroll through and find hiking trails that look interesting.”
Free on the App Store and GooglePlay
FarOut—formerly Guthook Guides—is one of the most popular apps for finding long-distance trails, so it’s no surprise it’s a favorite among more advanced hikers. Key features include detailed waypoints and town resupply guides, location sharing, offline maps that include GPS location and detailed routes, elevation profile views, and the ability to create a custom route.
“Though you don’t have to be doing a long-distance trail, this is where the FarOut app really excels,” Porse tells SELF. “Its maps work offline with no data or internet required after initial setup, and [it has] the ability to check in with friends and family to let them know you’re OK.”
Free on the App Store and Google Play
According to Porse, this app is meant to pinpoint what other mountain ranges are around you. Upon recognizing a summit, it’ll show where the mountain is in comparison to your exact location, along with the mountain name and elevation of the summit.
Source: https://www.self.com
