It’s always a great time to head outside and explore the world around you – even in the dead of winter. If you’re looking for a new spot to explore, AllTrails is an app that can help. The iOS and Android app offers a library of 75,000 hand-curated trail maps for walking, biking, and hiking, as well as information on whether than journey will be appropriate for kids or your pup to join along as well.
For instance, information about the Lands End Trail near my home in San Francisco explains that the trail is 5km long and requires a moderate effort to traverse.
If you scroll down there are reviews from other hikers on how the trail went for them. That Lands End Trail has a whopping 926 reviews with information ranging from the things you’ll see there to whether the description is accurate. For Lands End, one hiker said that she felt it was more an “easy” trail than moderate, which is good information for someone who might not be in the best shape that’s debating whether the trail is for them. Likewise, someone saying it’s a bit more difficult than they anticipated could also be some solid info.
Beyond info about where the trail is, the app can also be used as a GPS to help you navigate the trail. You can share trails with pals and “record” your journey while you’re experiencing it.
You can use the app and see trails for free. Avid hikers and bikers can sign up for the Pro version. It’s about $43 a year, which is a bit steep, but allows you to download the maps to view offline places where you might not have a signal, and allows you add real-time map overlays with information about the weather, pollen situation, and air quality where you’re hiking.
There’s also a Lifeline option with the Pro version which will alert people you choose that you’re started a hike and will let them monitor your progress from afar — and potentially come to your rescue if you run into any issues.
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