the best apps dedicated to trekking and cycling. Apps that allow you to trace the path traveled.
Even trekking, cycle-tourism and more generally outdoor sports are starting to be strongly influenced by the digitization underway worldwide, both for the need to always be traced or for the ability to share instantly the photographs and the paths faced with their followers.
However, if the smartphone is used correctly and equipped with the right applications, it can become a tool capable of performing essential functions for every trekker, cycle tourist or runnerproviding, for example, weather forecasts, allowing the consultation of maps and/or allowing you to view the tracking GPS of their movements.
In the following guide we will show you what the best apps to track trekking routesso you can monitor the path followed and, in case of difficulty or emergencyindicate to the rescuers where we are and how to reach us.
READ ALSO: Best Travel and Vacation Apps (Android and iPhone)
1) Outdooractive
Outdooractive is a complete trekking (or other similar activities) app available for Android and for iPhone.
It allows you to always find your position, even offline if you have previously downloaded the map of the area of interest: simply keep the GPS or localization of your device, even in airplane mode to increase battery life. Once you have identified your position on the map, you can record and save your track, also adding photographs which, at a later time, it will be possible to see where they were taken.
The application allows you to see where you have been on the map, check data and statistics, share the track and download the file GPX. The uploaded tracks represent the recordings of the activities carried out while the routes are published to share excursions, walks, bike rides and itineraries of any kind; each user has the option of publishing their own routes, enriching them with photos, information and waypoints, useful for facilitating navigation.
Outdooractive also takes advantage of the augmented reality to observe the landscape and allows you to watch the video 3D of tracks and routes, make the most of your smartwatch and discover the best one Premium Cartography of most of the most famous publishers.
2) OsmAnd
OsmAnd is one of the best hiking apps as it offers maps Open Source that have nothing to envy to the commercial ones. The app is free to download for Android and for iPhone.
The maps contained in this app not only graphically represent roads and reliefs but also indicate the presence of water courses, paths and houses. Actually OsmAnd allows you to download for free just 7 maps which are however sufficient for those who carry out trekking or excursions in Italian territory near their residence since each map corresponds to a Region.
The maps integrate contour lines and shading levels to indicate altitude and difference in altitude and give the possibility to record, create and insert tracks GPX.
Those who wish to take advantage of all the updated maps of the world can subscribe for the cost of 8.00 euros per yearthus contributing to the project OpenStreetMap. Finally, the application delivers plug-in speciali which also allow you to view the cross-country ski trails and the nautical map.
3) PeakLens/PeakVisor
While trekking in the mountains it is normal to want to know the peaks that surround you: the best apps for the purpose are PeakLens (per Android) e PeakVisor (per iPhone), both of which are free to download.
Both apps allow you to view the names of the main mountains that you meet on your way: to use the apps, simply open them and shoot the mountains with the camera, obtaining information in augmented reality on the peaks, information on the altitude and difference in altitude and on the difficulty to climb to the summit.
4) OruxMaps GP
OruxMaps GP (only available for Android) is an application that allows you to keep the right course during physical activity as well as one of the most appreciated by hikers on the one hand because, being compatible with formats KML, KMZ, TCX, FIT, CSV, SHP e GPXallows you to handle the largest number of track formats and on the other hand for its ease of use.
In reality, the version on the store is paid but you can download it for free dal developer’s official site.
Once downloaded and installed, the predefined online maps are automatically displayed, but this is sufficient cartography for cycling excursions. In the upper toolbar is the main menu where you can start recording and use the LiveSharingor the service through which to share your track with other users who use the app.
5) Locus Map Free
As far as cycling tourism is concerned, a good app to download is Locus Map Freeavailable only for Android; this is one of the most complete and easy to use applications, as online maps are enough.
Once the app is installed, with a simple tap on the icon with the 3 horizontal lines, it is possible to open the side menu that houses the item Maps in addition to those relating to points and registrations.
The dedicated section includes over 50 maps suitable, in reality, for any type of activity, usable freely online. If, on the other hand, you want to download them for offline use, you may have to pay for them.
In addition to the maps, tracks can be recovered in GPXin the absence of which it is advisable to activate the function Record Track to go back following the route taken without risking getting lost.
6) Chest of drawers
Chest of drawers is another valid app for tracking mountain trails and trekking routes, downloadable for Android and for iPhone.
With it we can plan the route by offering all the useful information to reach the goal and also allowing the consultation of the excursions developed by other users who use the app.
Once you have indicated the means of transport, choosing between bicycle, mountain bike, foot, and have set your level of training, you must select the starting and finishing points as well as any intermediate stops.
The app immediately displays the route, including altitude difference and estimated walking timeand provides information relating to the type of terrain on which you will cycle / walk and weather forecasts (the latter only in the version Premium on payment).
Conclusions
With these amazing apps we can trace paths in the mountains and trekking routes with a precision close to that obtainable with professional tools, in particular if we are new to trekking and just want to go for a walk of health among the simplest hills and mountains.
Of course, for professionals it is not enough to use apps: they will inevitably have to rely on professional GPS, as well as having dedicated sensors and emergency warning systems.
To learn more, we can read our guides to best compass apps to orient yourself and at best outdoor camping apps for android.