Hiking can be a refreshing, exciting experience – but it’s also easy to get lost. As a tourist, you may be unfamiliar with the area and lack access to reliable maps. The best-case scenario is that you’ll have a great adventure and find your way out – but the worst-case scenario could land you in some dangerous situations.
Fortunately, there are helpful location apps that make it easier than ever to explore unknown places without getting lost! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best location apps out there that tourists can use while hiking.
We’ll look at their features, pros, cons, and more so you know exactly what to expect before hitting the trails. Check out our blog cellspyaustralia.com on essential tracking items for more helpful tips before your hike.
Top 5 Location Apps For Tourists
Finding your way when you’re hiking in an unfamiliar territory can be tough. Thankfully, there are several location apps that can make navigating a breeze – no matter where in the world you find yourself. To help you out on your next adventure, we’ve compiled a list of five top-rated location apps for tourists and hikers alike.
Google Maps
One popular app used by tourists and hikers is Google Maps. It offers a variety of features that make it easy to find your way around. With Google Maps, you can use Street View to view the area before you head out.
You can also get directions from one place to another if you take a wrong turn. Plus, the app will save all your past routes so you can easily reference them later. The downside of using Google Maps is that it requires an internet connection for most of its features.
Waze
Another popular location app for tourists and hikers is Waze. This app uses crowdsourced data to provide accurate information on traffic, construction, road closures, and other hazards along your route.
It also includes an offline mode so you can plan your route ahead of time and have turn-by-turn directions even when you’re in areas with no cell service.
The minor downside of Waze is that it doesn’t always give you the best directions to take, as its main focus is avoiding traffic. However, this could benefit hikers who may not want to hit up busy highways or roads.
ViewRanger
If you’re looking for a more specialized app, there are plenty available to choose from. ViewRanger is an outdoor navigation app that provides topographic maps for planning hiking routes and tracking your progress. It has a wide variety of trails mapped out, allowing you to find and follow the best path for your journey.
You can also use the app to share your tracks with friends, family, or other hikers online. While you’re out in the wild, you can easily use its search functions, which allow you to locate nearby points of interest and amenities. One drawback of ViewRanger is that it is more expensive than other mapping apps.
MapMyHike
MapMyHike is another great option for avoiding getting lost on your hikes. This app offers detailed audio navigation, and turn-by-turn voice prompts that give you precise directions, so you can reach your destination without any wrong turns. It also allows users to create their own routes and includes an elevation profile feature showing the difficulty of upcoming terrain.
Before you install MapMyHike, however, you should be aware that it requires an internet or cell phone connection to use. You won’t be able to access its features without a data connection, so if you’re planning on going off-grid, this app may not be the best option.
mSpy
mSpy is a popular location app tourists use to avoid getting lost while hiking. It’s available for iOS and Android devices, and it allows users to track their friends and family members in real time. The app also sends notifications when someone arrives at a specific location, so you can easily keep tabs on your family members or travel companions during your hike.
One of the main features that sets mSpy apart from other location apps is its geofencing capability. This allows you to set a virtual fence around certain areas, such as dangerous trails or off-trail paths. When someone crosses this boundary, you will receive an immediate alert via text message or email.
Tips For Using Location Apps Safely
The major feature of many location apps is a “safety” feature. Many apps now offer a button that allows users to alert their contacts if they are in danger quickly. This can be extremely helpful when hiking in remote or unfamiliar areas, as you can easily send out an emergency message with just the press of a button.
It’s also important to remember that some location apps also allow other people to track your movements.
For example, Google Maps and Apple Maps have features allowing users to share locations with friends and family members. It’s essential to understand how this works before using these features, as it could put you at risk if someone else tracks your movements without your permission.
Finally, it’s also important to remember that some of the more popular location apps have features that allow users to download detailed maps of the area they are hiking in – so they can easily retrace their steps if they get lost. This is especially useful for hikers who don’t know the area well and need a reliable way to find their way back home.
Conclusion
With the right app in hand, no matter where you go or what route you take, you’ll never have to worry about getting lost while hiking again.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, these apps will help make your journey safe and enjoyable. So don’t forget to download one before heading out on your next outdoor adventure! Good luck!