Hiking & Trail Apps
From a 1-mile paved walk to multi-day trails.
AllTrails
Free; $36/year ProMost popular. 400,000+ trails with reviews and photos. Pro adds offline maps.
Free version is fine for most day-hikers.
Gaia GPS
$40/yearTopographic maps, offline routing. Best for backcountry and trail mappers.
For more serious hikers.
NPS App (National Park Service)
FREEOfficial US National Park guide. Maps, ranger talks, alerts. Works offline once you download a park.
Essential before any park trip.
AllTrails+ Apple Watch
Free with AllTrails ProWrist GPS without your phone. Off-trail alerts, return-to-start.
Best safety feature.
TrailLink
Free; $30/year ProBest for paved rail-trails. Nationwide. Wheelchair / stroller friendly trails.
Often missed but excellent for accessible walks.
Start safely (any trail)
- Look for "easy" or "moderate" rated trails.
- Check distance, elevation gain, and recent reviews.
- Tell someone where you\'re going and when you\'ll be back.
- Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a fully charged phone.
- Download the trail map for offline use BEFORE you leave (cell signal often dies in mountains).
- Carry a small first aid kit. Hiking poles help knees on descents.
- Wear sturdy shoes. Sneakers are fine for paved or short trails.
If you have an Apple Watch or Garmin
- Pair AllTrails — the watch shows turn-by-turn even when phone is in pocket.
- Apple Watch Series 8+ with iPhone 14+ has Emergency SOS via satellite — works in the wilderness with no cell service.
- Garmin inReach is the gold standard for backcountry — sends "I\'m OK" or "SOS" via satellite anywhere on Earth.
Senior-friendly: rail-trails
If big elevation changes are tough, look for "rail trails" — old railway tracks converted to flat, paved walking paths. TrailLink (free) maps thousands. Many are wheelchair accessible. Beautiful, gentle, often along rivers.