Best 8 Hiking Trails in 2026: Compare Top Apps

Introduction

AllTrails is the best overall app for finding and navigating hiking trails. This roundup compares eight mobile apps for discovering trails, planning routes, using offline maps, navigating with GPS, checking trail conditions, and preparing for backcountry trips. There are options for casual local walkers as well as hikers planning longer, more remote routes.

Quick comparison

Availability and features can vary by iOS or Android, location, and subscription.

1. AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run

Best for: Most people searching for hiking trails.

AllTrails combines a large trail directory with reviews, photos, difficulty ratings, distances, and route details. That makes it easy to choose a walk before leaving home. GPS tracking and route guidance help you stay on a selected trail and monitor your progress. The app covers hiking, walking, running, and biking, although listing quality can vary. Its main strength is the useful mix of local discovery and community feedback. This listed version is for iOS, and some navigation and offline features may require a subscription.

2. komoot - hike, bike & run

Best for: Planning around distance, elevation, and terrain.

komoot shows surface type, elevation gain, difficulty, and distance before you start. That helps when a route looks easy on a map but could be more demanding in person. Turn-by-turn voice navigation means you do not need to keep checking an Android phone. Offline maps are helpful in places with weak service. The app stands out for planning routes around your ability and equipment. Features may vary by region or plan.

3. Wikiloc - Trails of the World

Best for: Finding community-recorded trails in many countries.

Wikiloc’s user-created database covers hiking, trekking, cycling, and many other outdoor activities. You can find routes, record your own hikes, share tracks, and follow paths uploaded by other users. Offline topographic maps are useful when mobile coverage is unreliable, especially while traveling or exploring outside popular parks. Its biggest advantage is the depth and variety of community-submitted routes. The tradeoff is that accuracy, freshness, and detail can differ from one route to another. This listed version is for iOS.

4. Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps

Best for: Backcountry navigation and map layers.

Gaia GPS offers topographic maps, GPS coordinates, route planning, and activity tracking for more serious trip preparation. Offline navigation supports hikes without dependable cell service, while weather information helps you check conditions before or during a trip. Camp-site discovery is useful for overnight routes. Its strongest feature is layered mapping, which provides more detail than a basic trail directory. The range of tools can feel like more than you need for a short, familiar local walk. This listed version is for iOS.

5. onX Backcountry Trail Maps GPS

Best for: Terrain detail and outdoor route planning.

onX Backcountry covers hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, climbing, and ski routes in one Android mapping app. It includes GPS tracking, offline maps, elevation data, route planning, 3D terrain, and trail-condition information. The 3D view is especially useful for understanding elevation changes and nearby landforms before setting out. Its broad activity range may feel less hiking-specific than some alternatives, but it works well for people who use several types of outdoor routes.

6. Outdooractive. Hike and Ride

Best for: Established paths and live-location sharing.

Outdooractive focuses on officially approved hiking paths, trekking routes, and trails for other outdoor activities. Route planning, elevation and terrain details, GPS tracking, and offline maps cover the main preparation and navigation needs. Live-location sharing is useful when someone else needs to follow your progress. The app’s main advantage is its combination of recognized route information and location sharing. Coverage and route quality can differ by country and local mapping support. This listed version is for iOS.

7. Trailforks: Offline Bike Maps

Best for: Hikers who also use mountain-bike trail networks.

Trailforks includes hiking and mountain-bike routes, photos, elevation profiles, local trail information, offline maps, GPS navigation, and route recording. Trail-status reports and community updates can reveal closures, maintenance, or changing conditions before and during a trip. Its main strength is detailed condition reporting tied to a strong cycling-focused database. Hikers may find the bike-first approach less useful than a hiking-first app for general discovery. This listed version is for iOS.

8. HiiKER: The Hiking Maps App

Best for: Focused planning tools and custom hiking routes.

HiiKER lets users discover trails, plan routes, record hikes, and download maps for offline use. Topographic layers, hiking points of interest, GPX import and export, and off-route notifications support careful navigation. Its main advantage is the combination of hiking-specific maps, GPX support, and route-deviation alerts, which can flag mistakes early. The smaller, more focused ecosystem may offer less community coverage than the largest trail directories. This listed version is for iOS.

How we picked these apps

We compared each app based on how easily it helps people find suitable hiking trails, rather than simply tracking exercise.

The review considered:

• Trail information such as distance, elevation, difficulty, surfaces, photos, reviews, route status, and map detail
• Navigation tools including GPS tracking, turn-by-turn directions, off-route alerts, and offline access
• Different hiking situations, from local walks and custom routes to multi-day and remote backcountry trips
• Mixed hiking-and-cycling use for people who want one outdoor app
• Platform availability, including whether the listed version is for iOS or Android

The strongest choice is not always the app with the most tools. We weighed breadth, ease of use, trail discovery, and specialist mapping features.

Frequently asked questions

Do hiking apps work without cell service?

Yes, but you usually need to download maps or routes before leaving coverage. GPS can still locate you, while features that rely on live data, such as updated reports or weather, may not work offline.

Which app is easiest for finding nearby hikes?

AllTrails is the simplest starting point for most people because its searchable trail directory combines photos, ratings, reviews, difficulty, and route details. Community coverage can vary, so check recent reports and official park information as well.

Which apps are best for backcountry hiking and route planning?

Gaia GPS and onX Backcountry are stronger for topographic layers, GPS coordinates, offline maps, weather details, and terrain views. komoot is better for planning around distance, elevation, and surface type, while HiiKER suits custom routes and GPX files.

Paid plans may be needed for offline maps, premium layers, advanced navigation, or expanded coverage. Trail information can become outdated, so check closures, weather, recent conditions, and official guidance. For remote hikes, download maps, carry backup power, and bring a paper map or another backup.

The verdict

AllTrails is the strongest overall pick because it offers an approachable mix of trail discovery, reviews, photos, route details, and navigation. komoot is the runner-up for hikers focused on elevation, distance, terrain, and voice directions. Gaia GPS is the better specialist choice for backcountry users who need detailed topographic layers and offline navigation. The right app still depends on your location, phone platform, route type, and access to paid offline features.