I used two GPS hiking apps for backpacking and I’ll do it again

image via The Verge

May 18, 2025, 2:00 PM

• •The author explores the use of navigation apps like AllTrails and Gaia GPS for hiking, comparing their features and accuracy.
• •The author highlights the importance of carrying a backup map and addresses concerns about data privacy and battery drain.
• •The author shares personal experiences with the apps on a solo hike, noting inaccuracies in mileage and elevation data.
• •The author concludes without a clear winner between the apps and expresses reservations about their subscription costs and data handling.

The author, an avid hiker, investigates the effectiveness of hiking navigation apps like AllTrails and Gaia GPS, comparing their features, accuracy, and privacy practices. After testing the apps on a solo hike in the Ventana Wilderness, they found discrepancies in mileage and elevation data, questioning their reliability without a backup. The article explores the pros and cons of relying on these digital tools versus traditional paper maps. Ultimately, the author expresses concerns about subscription costs, data sharing, and the potential for battery drain, while also suggesting the planning app, CalTopo, might be a better option.

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