Open Space Map Resources: GPS Apps

We recommend the use of a GPS App for some hikes where there are numerous trails and less-than-perfect signage.

What are They?

They are used to track hikes and to explore areas of town
They contains a set of maps which show roads, infrastructure, topography, and trails
An App can track your position, measure your distance, time, and elevation, and provide a track of where you went
At every point you can see where you are in relation to roads, buildings, water, and trails
An App can also allow you to plan a walk through an area
You can see how close you are to the track as you explore

You can find information about these tools by doing a web search
They are most frequently downloaded from an App Store on a mobile phone
GPS Apps typically come as a free download, with an option to add features for an annual fee
The two most popular features are additional base maps (for example satellite view) and downloadable maps so that maps are available when off-line

Popular with hikers and bikers
Some feel it is a little more complicated to start with than AllTrails
Many frequent users like the interface better than AllTrails’
Clicking on the Trip icon at the bottom provides more information such as elevation gain and loss, time moving and not moving, average speed, etc.
You can store all other hikes in the area, which can also be displayed on the screen for reference purposes

Covers the same basic functionality
Has a large database of user-submitted hikes with ratings that some people use to select hikes

GAIA app example

This hike was done in the White Mountains, starting near Waterville Valley. We took the trail up to the Greeley Ponds and returned the same way.
The green line on the map shows the track taken
The triangle shows the location when the screenshot was taken
In this case we were nearly back from the hike, which was 6.28 miles and was done in 3 hours and 30 minutes
You can see roads and other trails in the area, and also the topography of the trails.