I spent a month testing the best outdoor apps — these 6 are my favorite picks

Ever wondered what the best outdoor apps are? If you’re heading outdoors — whether it’s for a full-on day of hiking, a bit of wild camping, a cycle, or just a weekend wander — having a few decent apps on your phone can be really useful.

Sure, the whole point of getting outside is to switch off, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make use of some tech to make things easier, safer, or just a bit more fun.

There’s an app for pretty much everything now — from planning your route to navigating once you’re out there, checking the weather and even letting someone know you’ve made it back safe.

And if you’re camping out, there are even apps for looking up at the stars and (in case you didn’t already know) figuring out what planet you’re on.

That said, not all of them are worth the download. So, luckily for you, I’ve rounded up a handful that are. Whether you’re after help with route planning, keeping safe, or just adding something a bit fun to your outdoor experience, these outdoor apps are genuinely worth checking out.

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Best outdoor app overall

If you’re only going to download one outdoor app, you’ve got to make it AllTrails. Whatever the time of year, it’s hands down one of my favorites for doing anything outdoors, especially if you’re into walking, trail running, or mountain biking and like to plan.

It has a massive database of routes. The firm claims to have over 400,000 listed in the app across different locations around the world, and you can filter by distance, difficulty and elevation and find one that suits you.

I’ve used it loads when planning hikes, especially in areas I don’t know well. I used it to plan a hike up Mount Snowdon in April, for example, choosing a path off the beaten track but not too challenging.

The user reviews and photos attached to each route make it even more helpful, as you can get a proper sense of what a trail might be like before you head off to experience it yourself.

While the free version gives you GPS tracking, basic maps and elevation info, the paid upgrade is worth a look if you plan to go off-grid, as it serves up downloadable, offline maps and live weather.

It’s not perfect – some of the trails can be outdated, but overall, it’s the best all-rounder if you spend a decent amount of time outdoors.

Best outdoor app for cyclists and walkers

If you’re the sort of person who’s meticulous when it comes to mapping things out properly before heading off, Komoot’s the app to have in your pocket. It’s especially good for cyclists, whether on the road, on a gravel bike, or heading off-track, but it’s just as handy for walkers, runners, or anyone who prefers to plan their route rather than just follow signs and hope for the best.

What makes Komoot stand out is how it builds routes based on your fitness level and what kind of activity you’re doing. I’ve used it in the past to plan a sizeable ride out, and it picked out a loop that matched my legs perfectly. For example, it wasn’t too steep, but still felt like a challenge.

You can drop in waypoints, tweak as you go and get a proper sense of distance, terrain and elevation before you’ve even left the house.

You get one free region when you sign up, but if you’re planning trips further afield, you’ll want to unlock more maps or go for the full bundle. And with offline access and voice nav thrown in, it’s a bit of a no-brainer for the price.

Best outdoor app for offline navigation

If you’re heading properly off the beaten track — and I mean the kind of places where you’d need a satellite device to contact anyone or, worse still, know where you are — then Gaia GPS is the app for you.

It’s proper back-country stuff, aimed at hikers, climbers, off-roaders and wild campers who need maps they can fully rely on when they’re miles from anywhere.

I’ve used it on a few longer hikes where I didn’t want to risk losing my bearings, and the level of detail this app has is pretty impressive. It lets you layer topo maps with satellite imagery, trail data and even weather overlays.

Admittedly, I found it took a bit of getting used to at first as it’s not as “plug-and-play” as some of the other apps on this list, but once you’re familiar with it, it can prove super useful.

The free version gives you the basics, but if you’re going remote, the Premium upgrade is worth it for downloadable offline maps, extra layers like snow cover and public land boundaries, and just basically all-around better planning tools. It’s £35.99 in the UK or $39.99 in the US per year; certainly not cheap, but for proper off-grid adventures, it’s probably worth it.

Best outdoor app for tracking and sharing

Okay, Strava isn’t strictly an outdoors app, but it has some great outdoor features, which is why I think it deserves a spot on this list. If you like keeping tabs on where you’ve been and how you’re doing, Strava’s a must-have for your arsenal.

And while it’s definitely more focused on performance and stats than some of the other apps I’ve listed here, that doesn’t mean it’s only for hardcore users.

Whether you're going for a run, hike, cycle, or even a paddle, it’s great for tracking your activity and seeing progress over time — and the best bit is that it makes sharing your adventures with mates super easy as well.

Another thing Strava’s got going for it is its recently added AI tools, which auto-generate personalised route suggestions based on where you’ve been and what others near you are doing.

I’ve had a few cracking loops suggested that I’d never have found otherwise. It’s clever stuff and handy when you’re a bit low on inspiration but still want to get out there.

The free version is solid, but if you want all the good stuff — proper route planning, 3D maps (thanks to FATMAP’s integration), live segments and more detailed analysis — the Premium tier’s the one to go for. It’s £54.99 a year in the UK or $79.99 in the US. Expensive for sure, but worth it if you love mixing data with a bit of friendly competition.

Best outdoor app for safety tracking

Cairn’s the kind of app you hope you’ll never need, but when you’re out in the sticks alone, having it on your phone will bring peace of mind you just can’t buy. Well, you can if you opt for the app’s premium version.

Cairn has been designed to keep you safe on solo hikes or remote adventures by letting you share your planned route and expected return time with friends or family. And if you’re late back, the app will ping your chosen emergency contacts automatically to make them aware things haven’t gone to plan.

I’ve used it on a couple of solo hikes where I knew signal would likely be patchy, and one of the best features, in my opinion, (and reason alone to download it) is the app’s mobile coverage map.

This cleverly shows where other users have picked up a phone signal, so you’ve got a better chance of knowing when and where you’ll be able to make a call or get data.

It’s currently iOS-only, which is a bit of a pain for Android users, but if you’ve got an iPhone and do a lot of off-grid stuff, it’s one of the best safety-focused tools you can put in your pocket. The basic version is free, but for £24.99 / $26.99 per year, the Premium upgrade will unlock extra tracking features and more detailed alerts.

Best outdoor app for stargazing

Not every outdoor adventure has to be about smashing personal bests or scaling peaks. Sometimes it’s just about lying back, switching off and…looking up. That’s where SkyView comes in. This augmented reality app is perfect for those slower, more magical moments, turning your phone into a mini planetarium, wherever you are.

I’ve whipped this one out several times on clear nights, just chilling in my back garden, and I found it nothing short of lovely. Just point your phone at the sky and it shows you what stars, planets and constellations you’re looking at — even if those happen to be man-made objects such as satellites or the ISS flying overhead. It feels surprisingly accurate, too, even with a bit of light pollution.

The only real downside is that there’s no free version, but at £1.99 / $1.99 as a one-off payment, it’s not exactly bank-breaking. Just keep an eye on your battery if you’re using it for long stints, as it can wipe the juice pretty fast — not ideal if you get carried away up a mountain.

Still, if you’re into your night skies, it’s a little gem that adds something special to an evening outdoors.