What's the use of charging your phone if you don't use it during the hike? You know, aside from making an emergency call if you see a bear or get lost.
As much as we want to be bionic humans who can measure distance just by looking or count every step we take, we just aren't there yet. Maybe in a few years (hopefully not, cause the idea is really freaky), but not just yet. We have to use what we have and make the best of it.
Just think about it. A few hundred years ago, hikers and adventurers were forced to use paper maps, rusty compasses and the stars to find their way. More often than not, they still got lost. Nowadays, we can still use maps, compasses and the stars, but technology makes it a lot easier.
Google play offers an array of hiking apps that cover everything from mapping to monitoring your water intake. For this post, let's look at a few navigation and identification apps you should download before your next hike:
Alltrails
First up on our list is Alltrails, a navigation app for hiking, biking, running and backpacking. This app has over 300 000+ hiking trails and mountain routes to explore. Download maps you want to use offline, so you can navigate even when there's no cellphone signal. This app offers some unique filters to help you search for specialized routes like routes that are dog friendly, child friendly and wheelchair friendly. It also features maps for geocaching.
Download: Free
Google Play rating: 4.7 ★
Click to download Alltrails now!
Gaia GPS
Next up, we've got Gaia GPS. Gaia GPS helps you find hiking trails, campsites and other off-road routes all over the world. It's packed with hundreds of features maps, including maps from Nat Geo Trails illustrated, USFS and they're all in high resolution satellite imagery. You can save the maps you want to use offline, so you can navigate yourself in the absence of cell service. A particularly cute feature is the breadcrumb trail you can leave, so it's easier to find your way back to where you started. I'm guessing Hansel was the inspiration for this one.
Download: Free
Google Play rating: 4.2 ★
Click to download Gaia GPS now!
Strava
Then there's Strava. Strava is a great app for monitoring your fitness activity during a jog, swim, hike or ride. It covers anything from triathlon training to bike rides. You can record your distance and map you route, as long as the app has access to your location. It monitors things like swim pace, elevation gain, calories burned etc. Improve by competing with others and completing monthly challenges.
Download: Free
Google Play rating: 4.6 ★
Click to download Strava now!
Avenza Maps
Next up we have Avenza Maps. The best app for students, like me, who never have data or airtime. Avenza offers offline mapping of hiking, biking and any other off-road trails. It can access your location and find directions even when you're offline, which could come in handy if you get lost and have no signal. Hopefully that bear chasing you doesn't have this app. It also allows you to record the GPS route you take, for those who like a visual representation of their hard work. You can add photos, notes and placemarks to any maps and even use the built-in compass to navigate if you feel like a pioneer.
Download: Free
Google Play rating; 4.5 ★
Click to download Avenza Maps now!
Seek by iNaturalist
Nearing the end of the list, we've got Seek by iNaturalist. This app works great for identifying plants, fungi, birds and animals around you. All you need to do is point your camera, and few moments later you'll know what it is. Giving the users a bit of a challenge, this app lets you earn badges for identifying different species and taking part in challenges. It's also child safe, so it'll keep the little ones busy and stop them from destroying your garden.
Download: Free
Google Play rating: 4.0 ★
Click to download Seek by iNaturalist now!
PictureThis
Last on our list is PictureThis. PictureThis is a plant identification app that identify plants instantly. As soon as you scan a flower or leave, the app will identify the plant, as well as the best way to care for it. It comes in handy when your on a longer hike and want to know if a plant is poisonous; and its a really big help if you're big on gardening. The app is capable of identifying over 17 000+ different plant species with an accuracy of 98%. Its also a great platform to share photograps of plants all over the world.
Download: Free
Google Play rating: 4.6 ★
Click to download PictureThis now!
Now you have a list of apps to help you navigate and track your progress. I personally use Gaia GPS and my Dad is a fan of Alltrails. Most of these apps are compatible with all your devices and some can be linked to fitness watches. Bet your compass can't do that.
Until next time, stay safe and happy hiking!
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