You are looking for an application to help you organize and plan your next hikes? In this article, we have analyzed several of these tools for you, and selected the best apps to find hikes.

What to expect from a hiking app?

Among the features offered by the many existing hiking apps, some are more essential than others: offline accessibility, mapping of hiking trails, real-time location... We have listed here the most useful functions to accompany you.

Online or offline accessible mapping on your mobile phone:

Smartphones are versatile and compact tools, perfect for hikers, and developers know this well. Many mapping apps are now available on our mobile phones.

But hiking trails can go through places where there is no network available... So make sure to use an app that allows you to access your maps, even offline.

Otherwise, you will be dependent on the availability of mobile data network to display your map!

Easy location on this map:

Viewing your route in its entirety is good. But sometimes, you need a little help to assess your progress. In these cases, having a hiking app is interesting because the real-time location feature changes the game. The GPS sensor in smartphones allows you this location, even without a network.

So you can precisely know where you are on an interactive map that allows you to zoom in and out.

A community allowing access to hiking routes rated by others:

Apps specific to hiking also allow access to routes saved and rated by other hikers. This allows to discover new trails, while having a general idea of its difficulty level, average duration, technicality, small challenges... even before taking them! You can also contribute to this database and allow the rest of the community to access your discoveries.

Read and save GPS tracks:

Some apps allow you to save your GPS tracks and read GPS track files (GPX or KML format) that you have previously downloaded. You can then trace the route of your hike on a map, or follow a track created by another hiker.

This will allow you to know the kilometers and elevation gain of your route. You can also "post" your routes on the internet to share them.

We have selected hiking apps that meet the criteria above:

  • Whympr is a community app that caters to all mountain hiking and outdoor sports enthusiasts in general. It provides access to routes around the world, allowing you to select them based on their level of difficulty and rating. Descriptions created by professional guides, photos, nearby parking lots... numerous pieces of information help you make your choice. Access to weather conditions is also available, and as a bonus, they are commented on in real time by the community. Lastly, you can save and track your performances by recording your tracks.

  • Visorando allows you to prepare and share your hikes. This app lists over 26,000 circuits of all levels and durations all over France, as well as worldwide. Each hiking sheet includes the route, a detailed description, the level of difficulty, and many other criteria to help you make an informed decision. You can also use your smartphone as a GPS, even without a network, and you are alerted if you stray from the planned route. You can also create, save, and share your own tracks with the community.

  • IGNrando offers a wide range of routes and points of interest, but you can also save and share your own tracks and receive real-time information on distance, elevation gain, GPS coordinates... You can also share your location with your loved ones. You can organize your routes and points of interest into folders to save time. You have free access to regularly updated IGN maps, as well as emergency mobile network coverage maps.

  • Iphigénie provides access to 40 detailed topographic map backgrounds even in offline mode. This app offers a track recording feature, as well as tracking traces that you have previously downloaded. You can add tags to save useful landmarks. During your hike, you can geolocate yourself and track your route in real time, as well as share your progress on the field with your loved ones.

Nota bene: These hiking apps, as well as most others on the market, generally have a free version that provides access to the main features, and a paid version that unlocks their full potential.

The combination of technology and your athletic abilities is now at the service of your most beautiful hikes!