Top 7 Hiking Apps for Trail Navigation & Outdoor Adventures 2026
Whether you're exploring a local forest trail or preparing for a mountain trek, having the right hiking app can make your journey safer and more enjoyable. Modern hiking apps do much more than display a map. They help you navigate unfamiliar trails, monitor weather conditions, download offline maps, and even share your location during emergencies.
The challenge is choosing the right app. Some are designed for navigation, while others focus on weather forecasts or precise location sharing. Understanding what each app does best can help you build a reliable toolkit for your next outdoor adventure.
In this guide, we've reviewed seven of the best hiking apps in 2026 based on usability, features, offline capabilities, and real-world value for hikers.
What Makes a Great Hiking App?
Not every hiking app serves the same purpose. Experienced hikers often use several apps together because each one offers unique strengths.
When evaluating hiking apps, consider features such as:
Offline map availability
GPS navigation accuracy
Weather forecasting
Route planning
Battery efficiency
Emergency location sharing
Ease of use
These features become especially valuable when you're hiking in areas with limited or no mobile signal.
Top 7 Best Hiking Apps in 2026
1. OS Maps
OS Maps is one of the most trusted navigation apps for hikers, particularly those exploring the United Kingdom. It provides detailed topographic maps that help users plan routes and understand terrain before heading outdoors.
The app includes downloadable maps for offline navigation, making it a dependable choice for remote hiking destinations.
Best for: Trail navigation and route planning
Key features:
Detailed topographic maps
Offline navigation
Route planning tools
GPS tracking
Walking and cycling routes
2. Maps.Me
Maps.Me is well known for its offline maps, making it an excellent choice for travelers and hikers who often venture into areas without mobile coverage.
The app offers worldwide maps and allows users to search for trails, campsites, viewpoints, and nearby attractions even when offline.
Best for: Offline hiking maps
Key features:
Offline global maps
Fast GPS navigation
Bookmark favorite locations
Lightweight app
Travel-friendly interface
3. Windy
Weather conditions can change rapidly during outdoor adventures. Windy provides detailed weather forecasts that help hikers prepare before starting their journey.
It combines radar data, wind speed, precipitation forecasts, and temperature information in an easy-to-understand interface.
Best for: Weather planning
Key features:
Wind forecasts
Rain radar
Temperature maps
Air quality information
Multiple weather models
4. what3words
Finding or sharing your exact location can be difficult in remote areas. what3words solves this problem by dividing the world into small three-meter squares, each identified by a unique combination of three words.
Many emergency services now recognize what3words locations, making it a valuable safety tool for hikers.
Best for: Emergency location sharing
Key features:
Precise location sharing
Works offline after downloading maps
Easy to communicate coordinates
Navigation integration
Emergency support
5. Met Office
Before setting out on any hike, checking the forecast is essential. The Met Office app provides reliable weather information with regular updates throughout the day.
Its detailed mountain forecasts help hikers understand changing weather conditions before reaching higher elevations.
Best for: Accurate weather forecasts
Key features:
Hourly forecasts
Rain predictions
Weather warnings
Mountain weather information
Location-based forecasts
6. OS Locate
OS Locate is a lightweight GPS app designed to quickly display your current location using national grid references and GPS coordinates.
Although it doesn't replace a full navigation app, it becomes extremely useful when communicating your position during emergencies.
Best for: GPS location accuracy
Key features:
Instant GPS coordinates
National Grid Reference
Compass support
Lightweight interface
Fast location detection
7. Mountain Forecast Viewer
Weather in mountainous regions can differ significantly from nearby towns. Mountain Forecast Viewer focuses specifically on mountain weather, helping hikers understand conditions at different elevations.
The app presents forecasts for temperature, snowfall, cloud cover, and wind speed, helping users make informed decisions before heading into higher terrain.
Best for: Mountain weather forecasting
Key features:
Elevation-based forecasts
Snow predictions
Wind speed information
Cloud cover forecasts
Easy weather visualization
How to Choose the Best Hiking App
The best hiking app depends on your destination and hiking style.
If you regularly hike in remote locations, offline maps should be your top priority. Travelers exploring unfamiliar regions may benefit from Maps.Me, while those hiking mountainous terrain should monitor conditions using Mountain Forecast Viewer or Windy.
For safety, carrying both a navigation app and a location-sharing app provides an extra layer of confidence, especially during longer hikes.
Remember that no app should replace proper preparation. Always carry sufficient water, appropriate clothing, and a backup navigation method when exploring unfamiliar trails.
Final Thoughts
The best hiking apps combine reliable navigation, accurate weather information, and practical safety features. Rather than relying on a single app, many experienced hikers use a combination of tools to stay prepared throughout their journey.
Apps like OS Maps and Maps.Me excel at navigation, while Windy and Met Office help you stay informed about changing weather. Adding what3words and OS Locate can also improve safety by making it easier to share your exact location if needed.
Before your next outdoor adventure, download the apps that match your hiking plans and test them before leaving mobile coverage. A little preparation can make every hike safer, smoother, and more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best hiking app in 2026?
The best hiking app depends on your needs. OS Maps is ideal for trail navigation, Maps.Me is excellent for offline maps, and Windy provides detailed weather forecasts for outdoor activities.
2. Are hiking apps available offline?
Yes. Several hiking apps, including OS Maps, Maps.Me, what3words, and OS Locate, offer offline functionality after downloading the required maps or data.
3. Which hiking app is best for weather forecasts?
Windy and Met Office are among the best options for accurate weather forecasts, while Mountain Forecast Viewer specializes in mountain conditions.
4. Do hiking apps work without mobile signal?
Many hiking apps use your phone's GPS instead of a mobile network. As long as you've downloaded maps in advance, you can continue navigating even without cellular coverage.
5. Is one hiking app enough?
Many experienced hikers use multiple apps together, such as one for navigation, another for weather updates, and a third for emergency location sharing. This combination offers better reliability during outdoor adventures.
