Going off the grid can be a liberating experience. Hiking, trail running or camping, living at the pace of nature — these are downright therapeutic. But it also helps to know where you’re going, which direction you came from, or even just general information about the environment around you. So before you go all Into the Wild, consider at least charging up your mobile device and downloading these apps. They’ll make your life easier — and they might even save it.
Gaia GPS
The free app will let you check out a plethora of hiking trails across the country, but the premium version ($36 for the first year, then $40 per year) lets you download all the maps so you can get where you need to be, even in the backcountry. If you won’t have cell service on your trip, the premium version also lets you view the topo, satellite or road map version of your route.
AllTrails
If you feel like you’re in a rut, hiking the same old trails, AllTrails is your friend thanks to 50,000+ routes in the US. Filters for dog-friendly, kid-friendly and wheelchair-friendly trails make narrowing down a choice easier. All the trails on the app are curated by hikers and mountain bikers all over the country, so feel free to record, upload and share your own routes.
