Hiking is a fantastic way to connect with nature, stay fit, and enjoy the great outdoors. If you’re an Apple Watch user, you have a powerful tool right on your wrist to enhance your hiking experience. With the right apps, you can track your progress, navigate trails, and stay safe. In this guide, we’ll explore the ten best hiking apps for Apple Watch, including options for the Apple Watch Ultra and free hiking apps.
1. AllTrails
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
AllTrails is one of the best hiking apps for Apple Watch, offering access to over 100,000 trail maps worldwide. The app provides detailed trail information, reviews, and driving directions to trailheads. You can record your hikes, track your progress, and save your favorite trails for future adventures. The Apple Watch version of AllTrails allows you to view maps, track your hike, and get real-time stats directly on your wrist.
2. Gaia GPS
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Gaia GPS is another excellent app for hiking enthusiasts. This app offers detailed topographic maps, satellite imagery, and trail overlays. You can access maps and track your hike without needing your phone. Gaia GPS also allows you to download maps for offline use, which is perfect for remote hiking locations. It’s one of the best hiking apps for Apple Watch Ultra due to its detailed mapping and robust features.
3. ViewRanger
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
ViewRanger is a versatile app that offers a wide range of maps and navigation tools. It includes features like GPS tracking, route planning, and augmented reality views. The Apple Watch app allows you to track your hike, view your location on a map, and receive notifications and alerts about your route. It’s a great option for those looking for a comprehensive hiking app.
4. Komoot
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Komoot is a versatile app for planning and navigating outdoor adventures. It provides detailed route planning, offline maps, and turn-by-turn navigation. The Apple Watch version lets you start, pause, and stop your hike, track your progress, and receive navigation instructions right on your wrist. Komoot is one of the best hiking apps for Apple Watch Ultra due to its comprehensive navigation features.
5. Hiking Project
Price: Free
Hiking Project is a community-driven app that offers detailed trail maps and information. It includes user-generated content such as trail descriptions, photos, and reviews. The Apple Watch app allows you to track your hike, view trail maps, and get real-time stats like distance, elevation, and pace. As one of the best free hiking apps for Apple Watch, it provides excellent value for outdoor enthusiasts.
6. MapMyHike
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
MapMyHike by Under Armour is a comprehensive fitness tracking app with a focus on hiking. It offers GPS tracking, route mapping, and detailed workout stats. The Apple Watch app lets you start and stop your hikes, view real-time stats, and monitor your progress without needing your phone. It’s a great option for those who want to integrate their hiking workouts with their overall fitness goals.
7. Apple Workout
Price: Free
The native Apple Workout app is a great option for tracking your hikes. It includes a dedicated hiking workout mode that tracks your distance, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories burned. You can customize your workout goals and view detailed stats during and after your hike. The Apple Watch Series 9 for hiking offers enhanced features that make this app even more powerful.
8. Footpath Route Planner
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Footpath Route Planner is a user-friendly app for planning and navigating hikes. It allows you to draw your route on a map and get detailed stats like distance and elevation. The Apple Watch app provides real-time tracking, route navigation, and notifications about your progress. This app is a great addition to any hiker’s toolkit, offering simplicity and functionality.
9. Outdooractive
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Outdooractive is a comprehensive app for outdoor activities, offering detailed maps and route planning tools. It includes features like GPS tracking, offline maps, and trail recommendations. The Apple Watch app allows you to track your hike, view maps, and receive navigation instructions on your wrist. It’s one of the best hiking apps for Apple Watch, providing robust features for outdoor enthusiasts.
10. Topo Maps+
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Topo Maps+ is an excellent app for hikers who need detailed topographic maps. It offers a wide range of map layers, route planning tools, and offline map downloads. The Apple Watch app lets you view your location on a map, track your hike, and receive notifications about your route. This app is perfect for those who need reliable and detailed mapping tools on their hikes.
FAQs About Hiking Apps for Apple Watch
Is there a hiking workout on Apple Watch?
Yes, the native Apple Workout app includes a dedicated hiking workout mode. It tracks your distance, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories burned during your hike.
How to record a hike on Apple Watch?
To record a hike on your Apple Watch, open the Apple Workout app, select “Hiking,” and tap “Start.” The app will track your distance, elevation gain, heart rate, and calories burned. You can also use third-party apps like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or Komoot to record your hike.
Can I get AllTrails on my Apple Watch?
Yes, AllTrails is available on the Apple Watch. You can view trail maps, track your hike, and access your saved trails directly from your watch.
Can you get trail maps on Apple Watch?
Yes, several hiking apps for Apple Watch, such as Gaia GPS, ViewRanger, and Komoot, provide access to trail maps. These apps allow you to view your location on a map, track your hike, and receive navigation instructions on your wrist.
Benefits of Using Hiking Apps for Apple Watch
Using hiking apps on your Apple Watch offers several benefits:
- Convenience: Access trail maps, track your progress, and receive navigation instructions without needing to pull out your phone.
- Safety: Stay on the right path with GPS tracking and real-time navigation alerts.
- Motivation: Track your stats and set goals to stay motivated and improve your hiking performance.
- Planning: Plan your hikes with detailed route information, trail maps, and user reviews.
- Fitness Tracking: Monitor your heart rate, calories burned, and other fitness metrics to stay on top of your health.
Tips for Using Hiking Apps on Apple Watch
- Download Offline Maps: Before heading out, download offline maps to ensure you have access to trail information even without cell service.
- Keep Your Watch Charged: Make sure your Apple Watch is fully charged before your hike, and consider bringing a portable charger for longer hikes.
- Use GPS Wisely: Enable GPS tracking only when necessary to conserve battery life.
- Customize Your Settings: Adjust the settings in your hiking apps to receive notifications and alerts that are useful for your hike.
- Stay Informed: Check the weather and trail conditions before your hike to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch is a powerful tool for hikers, offering a range of apps to enhance your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re looking for detailed trail maps, GPS tracking, or fitness metrics, there’s an app for you. With options like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, and the native Apple Workout app, you can stay informed, motivated, and safe on the trails. So, gear up, download your favorite hiking apps, and enjoy the great outdoors with your Apple Watch. Happy hiking!