The Best Apps for Planning Outdoor Adventures
There is something about nature that is so refreshing and soothing — something that many of us have come to appreciate in a new way during the pandemic. But if you’re new to the outdoors or just looking to improve your game, you need reliable apps to help you navigate the great outdoors. Here are our favorite outdoor apps to help make your next adventure even better.
Best Hiking App: AllTrails
AllTrails is a great app for finding hiking trails near you with over 50,000 handcrafted trails. No matter where you are, AllTrails can help you find the perfect route for your skill level and desired activity.
Other hiking apps worth checking out include Gaia GPS, Hiking Project, Wikiloc, and Komoot.
Best app for long hikes: Guthook Guides by Atlas
If you plan on doing long hikes, Atlas’ Guthook Guides is a must-have app. This app provides detailed maps and information on over 50 popular long distance routes in North America. Plus, with offline access and GPS tracking, you’ll always know where you are (and where you’re going).
Other long-distance hiking apps include Halfmile and Trail To Summit.
Best Cycling App: Strava
Strava is a great app for keeping track of all your outdoor activities, but it specializes in being a great app for cyclists. Cyclists can easily plan routes using Strava’s Heat Map feature to see where other people are riding. However, whether you’re going for a run, ride, or hike, Strava can help you track your progress and view your stats. In the premium version, you can get even more detailed information about your performance.
Other cycling apps worth checking out include Map My Ride, Cyclemeter, and Bikemap.
Best camping app: The Dyrt
Dyrt is a great app for finding campsites near you. With over 40,000 campsites in its database, you are sure to find the perfect spot for your next camping trip. Also, you can read reviews from other holidaymakers to get an idea of what to expect.
Other good camping apps include Hipcamp, Campendium, and Free Roam.
Best Climbing App: Mountain Project
Mountain Project is a great app for finding climbing routes near you. With over 75,000 routes in their database, you can always find something new to climb – and you can read reviews from other climbers to get an idea of what to expect before heading out.
Although not apps, if you’re looking for more climbing betas (and especially if you’re looking to conquer peaks), take a look at SummitPost and Peakbagger.
Best outdoor weather app: Dark Sky Weather
If you are planning any outdoor activities, you need to check the weather first and for that we recommend Dark Sky Weather . The Dark Sky Weather app is known for its accurate forecasts, which can be extremely helpful when planning outdoor activities. (There is also a premium version that provides even more detailed weather information.)
Other weather apps for your outdoor adventures include Windy, MyRadar, and Weather Underground.
Best Navigation App: Google Maps
Yes of course. But seriously, no matter where you’re going, Google Maps is a great app to have at your fingertips . With turn-by-turn navigation and real-time traffic updates, you always know what’s ahead. You can also download offline maps and your GPS signal will work even if you don’t have a cellular data connection. This can be a lifesaver if you’re not entirely sure where you are.
Other maps that are good for navigation include Maps.me, Citymapper, and Waze.