A TRAIL OF APPS LEADS TO HIKING OPPORTUNITIES
Gaia GPS For more serious treks , I dig out the Gaia GPS app . Now part of the Outside family , an
Outside + subscription includes access to Gaia GPS Pro . Built and billed as primarily a backpacking app , you can use Gaia to view routes on comprehensive topographic maps with numerous layers that you can turn on and off . A suite of tools on the app provides for trip planning , marking campsites and waypoints , measuring distances , and keeping track of elevation changes .
But you don ’ t have to be laden down with 60 pounds of gear to use this app . Using it for day hikes can be great , too . You can create new tracks , see tracks others have shared , and quickly get your bearings once you ’ re on the trail .
Because so many different map styles and tools are available , Gaia GPS is popular with campers , overlanders , hunters , mountain bikers , and skiers .
The ability to search for nearby trails and gather reviews and feedback is available in the app . And , just like AllTrails , Gaia GPS has a website where you can see everything on a larger screen for planning purposes .
The free version of Gaia limits you to a single default map and you cannot download maps for offline use . Honestly , if you want to get the most out of Gaia , you need to use a subscription version . There are two “ premium ” levels . The first premium membership , which runs $ 39.99 annually , gets you numerous add-ons , such as the ability to see additional maps and download them to your phone for offline use . With the premium level , you also get even more reference maps from National Geographic , plus the ability to layer maps with NOAA weather forecasts , motor-vehicle use maps , hunting layers , topographic references , and more .
Because Gaia is now part of the Outside family , subscriptions to Outside + include the premium version of Gaia GPS , in addition to Outside magazine and TV , plus sister publications like Backpacker magazine , online courses , and more . That subscription is $ 99 annually . Depending on what deals they might be offering around the holidays , you could consider a full Outside + subscription to test it all out or opt for a lower-priced subscription to only Gaia GPS .
Because Gaia GPS has so many layers and tools available , the interface does have a steeper learning curve , and some folks may find it does too much for their needs . But for adventures beyond a casual day hike in a park , Gaia GPS provides a more robust experience .
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