Don’t get lost in the UK: why do you need a local guide?
If you’ve ever stood on the icy breeze of Kern Kauf in Cornwall, or walked the rocky paths of the Lake District and suddenly realized the signal was gone, you know that feeling.
In such moments, a reliable app for hiking is not just convenience, but real insurance. With the right set of tools, you can plan your route, track your progress, and stay safe even with poor mobile network coverage.
Below is an adapted review of the best apps for hiking BritainOffline maps, integration with OS, weather forecast and user-friendly interface.
Navigation and route planning
OS Maps (Ordnance Survey)
Best for: reliable offline maps and detailed information on the trails of the UK
Cost: free version available; premium approximately £34.99/year
- Platforms: iOS / Android
Why it is worth installing: this is the benchmark of British cartography – access to Ordnance Survey maps at 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales, downloading maps for offline work, creating and following your own routes, 3D preview of the altitude profile for planning climbs. In the free version, there is a feature called “Locate Me”, which shows a point with a six-digit link on the grid – it can be called a rescue if you have to report the coordinates of Mountain Rescue in an emergency.
Advice from Wandering Welsh Girl (Louise): download the desired site in advance - in rural areas, maps are not downloaded without the Internet.
2. Komoot
Best for: route planning, opening new trails and offline navigation
Cost: Basic free; regional cards payable (approximately £3–£30 one-time)
- Platforms: iOS / Android
Why good: user-friendly interface for pedestrians and cyclists, ready routes and reviews of other users, turn-based voice navigation, height profiles and the ability to synchronize with the clock. Ideal for those who like to combine self-search and ready-made recommendations.
A small hint: a local guide will show secluded views and short cuts of trails, about which you will not read in the app.
3. AllTrails
Best for: custom tracks and reviews
Cost: Free version or Pro (£29.99/year). Get 30% off AllTrails Plus or Peak at this link!
- Platforms: iOS / Android
Why you should pay attention: a huge base of routes around the world, including the UK - Snowdonia, Lake District, etc. Filters by length, climb and complexity, photos and reviews of real people. In the Pro-version - saving cards for offline.
Advice from Wandering Welsh Girl: a great tool for finding walks with children or with dogs - reviews will help you choose the right route.
4. ViewRanger (now part of Outdooractive)
Best for: GPS navigation and offline tracks
Cost: Basic free, there are Pro options
- Platforms: iOS / Android
Why is it still relevant: the former beloved ViewRanger entered Outdooractive, retaining its strengths – offline maps, import/export GPX and the usual “GPS-sensitive” interface. Suitable for lovers of classic navigation with tracking and the ability to search for trails by type or location.
Paper cards are still being saved.
Digital cards are convenient, but in bad weather or with a dead phone, nothing will replace a paper card. For hiking in the UK, the best solution is the Ordnance Survey Explorer (1:25,000). They are easily recognized by their orange cover. Such maps show in detail: hiking trails, contour lines, boundaries of fields, cafes and parking - everything you need for confident navigation.
Ideal for low-altitude areas and forests (Chilterns, Surrey Hills, Forest of Dean) and coastal trails where mobile communication often fails.
Conclusion and practical advice
Always download the right sections of the maps in advance.
Save GPX files of selected routes and, if possible, take a paper map just in case.
Batteries and power bank are mandatory for long days on the trail.
- And one more touch: even if you like independent hikes, think about walking with a local guide at least once - the guide will tell local stories, show secret views and tell you how to get around the difficult area safer. This often turns an ordinary route into an adventure.
Let each walk be thought out and remembered only by a good weather story.
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Credit: Louise