Technology

Unleashing the Wild: My Adventure with Two GPS Hiking Apps

2025-05-18

Author: Wai

After years of relying on trusty paper maps for my outdoor excursions, I took a leap into the digital era while backpacking on the famed Appalachian Trail with my friend Rusty. His recommendation? The FarOut app—a revelation that transformed my hiking experience.

FarOut is designed primarily for thru-hikers and comes packed with essential details like user comments that share real-time insights on water sources. Although initially challenging to navigate (I hiked southbound while it defaulted to northbound), I quickly found it to be an invaluable tool.

However, my usual backpacking adventures lead me down less traveled paths in local national forests, so I decided to test out more navigation apps on my first solo trek to the stunning Ventana Wilderness. My goal: convince my job to let me immerse myself in the outdoors more often! Plus, as a gear enthusiast, I knew there’d be plenty to talk about.

With a background in tech, I wasn't aiming to outshine the experts at Outdoor Gear Lab—who give spot-on reviews—but I wanted to dive into app analysis.

After considering several options, I ruled out onX Backcountry due to its hefty battery drain. Although I prepped with CalTopo, I found it too complex for swift navigation in the field. Google Maps didn’t make the cut either; they seem more focused on cars than hikers. AllTrails caught my eye as a top-ranked fitness app, and Gaia GPS was the talk of the hiking subreddits, so I chose to explore both.

As I planned my route, I leaned on AllTrails' extensive suggestions for trails, eventually opting for the Big Sur Sykes Hot Springs Extended Loop after checking for trail conditions. User comments on AllTrails proved invaluable, alerting me to potential hazards like ticks and poison oak.

I faced quite a bit of disarray with the mileage estimates when I started mapping my route. AllTrails said I had a 32.8-mile trek, whereas Gaia suggested it was 40 miles! Inputs from CalTopo also painted a different picture. This discrepancy meant I needed to prepare for surprises.

Ultimately, I settled on a four-day hike with multiple camping stops, allowing for flexibility in case my estimates were off. AllTrails won for ease of route creation, but Gaia, though user-friendly, was complex to modify afterward.

Despite my personal bias towards paper maps, I recognized the game-changing advantages of these apps, offering precise location tracking and reports on trail conditions that static maps can’t provide.

However, using these apps does come with pitfalls; they can drain your battery, require a portable charger, and present privacy concerns—particularly with AllTrails sharing user data publicly.

As I hit the trail, I recorded my adventure using AllTrails, Gaia, and my Apple Watch Series 6. My initial day didn't go as planned—I accidentally paused the AllTrails tracker, leading to a misleading mileage count. Nevertheless, both Gaia and my watch recorded my progression well.

Upon reaching Sykes Camp, I stumbled upon a hidden hot spring thanks to Gaia, marking a blissful end to my first day.

The following day was a mixed bag, as I pushed to Rainbow Camp, which fell short of expectations. Undeterred, I pressed on to Cold Spring Camp by catching up to the estimated mileage, though my trackers varied significantly.

On my final day, with breathtaking views and wildflowers guiding my path, I finished the trek with a sense of accomplishment despite the discrepancies in recorded distances.

In conclusion, while both AllTrails and Gaia have their strengths and weaknesses, neither emerged as a clear champion in navigation. Both apps contributed invaluable support on my journey, yet I remain cautious about relying solely on them for serious hiking. As I look ahead at new paths like the Tahoe Rim Trail, the adventure continues—stay tuned for more map-related discoveries!