AllTrails tips and tricks

Planning your next hike doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Team up with AllTrails, an app that hikers all over the world use to prepare for outdoor adventures. Explore these app insights to make sure that you’ve got all the info that you need for your journey.

To find your new favourite hike, open up the app, tap 'Explore' in the bottom-left corner and then tap the map icon. You’ll immediately see your current location and any hikes located near you. If you can't see any markers in your vicinity, just pinch and zoom out to view more of the landscape.

To whittle down your options, use filters such as distance from your current location, trail traffic, difficulty and activities such as running or mountain biking. Tap on a listing to get quick access to a trail’s information, including user ratings and estimated hike time. Tap the listing bubble at the bottom of the screen to expand for more details such as elevation gain, route type and accessibility. Most importantly, you’ll see reviews from other hikers including tips on trailheads, scenic views and recent trail conditions.

With an AllTrails+ account, you can tap 'Preview trail' to experience a 3D walkthrough of any trail, allowing you to better visualise the route and its elevation changes.

Tap the map on a trail’s details page for an expanded, interactive view. Want to know the ups and downs that await you? Drag your finger along the elevation graph and you’ll see the blue dot move along the trail, showing you exactly where the elevation changes occur.

View digital markers for nearby trails and waypoints such as attractions and trailheads along your path. With an AllTrails+ account, you can also choose from alternate map types like 3D, roadways, satellite view and topographic.

Even without mobile service, your phone’s GPS can track you as you wander the trail. Download trail maps (AllTrails+ account required) to get full access to the digital terrain when service isn’t available.

When you’re on a trail within mobile service range, you can tap 'Navigate' from the trail details page to get help finding your way. If you’re doing something other than hiking, tap the 'Activity' icon and choose from options like horse riding, off-road driving and even bird watching. When you’re ready, press 'Start.'

As you wander the trail, the app will track distance, time, speed, average pace and more. Tap the layers icon to switch between map types and select the three dots to add waypoints and photos to your trip. When your hike’s complete, hold the 'Pause' button and then tap 'Finish', saving the route with all its related data to your account. From the 'Saved' tab in the app, you can share completed activities with friends and compare notes with other hikers.

Have a smartwatch? Use the AllTrails Wear OS app to find nearby trails, record your activity, see how much farther you have to go and even get a notification when you’ve missed a turn.