From flights to navigation and everything in between
Overview
When it comes to hiking, the preparation and planning don’t stop at choosing your trail. Whether you’re exploring a local day hike or venturing out on a multi-day trek, the details can make or break the experience. Travel logistics, accommodation, weather, and staying connected are just a few aspects that require attention before hitting the trail.
While navigation apps (like HiiKER) are essential for the hike itself, several other tools are crucial for organising your journey. In this post, we’ll guide you through some of the best apps to streamline everything from booking flights to tracking weather conditions. These tools help ensure a smooth experience, so you can focus on enjoying your time outdoors.
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- From flights to navigation and everything in between
- Travel Planning Apps
- Accommodation Apps
- Navigation and Route Planning with HiiKER
- Gear Rental and Purchase Apps
- Weather and Environmental Condition Apps
- Food and Supply Planning
- Communication and Sharing Apps
- Packing Apps and Sites
Travel Planning Apps
Skyscanner: One of the most popular apps for booking flights, Skyscanner helps you find affordable options to the closest city near your hiking trail. You can set up price alerts, compare airlines and booking sites, and track flight costs over time. Whether you’re heading to the Alps or a remote national park, Skyscanner ensures you get the best travel deals.
Rome2Rio: For getting from the airport to the trailhead, Rome2Rio is a powerful app that lets you find multi-modal transport options. It aggregates data for flights, buses, trains, ferries, and more, providing you with comprehensive travel routes from point A to point B. Perfect for those remote hikes where you need to piece together a travel itinerary with multiple steps.
HiiKER: You wont always need to travel far to get to the trailhead. By simply clicking on the address line of the trail in the app, you will open the native maps app on your device which will show you the best way to get to the trailhead on various forms of transport.
Accommodation Apps
Booking.com: Whether you’re looking for a nearby hostel, hotel, or lodge, Booking.com helps you find accommodations close to trailheads or popular hiking regions. You can filter results by distance, budget, and availability, making it easy to find a place to rest after a long hike.
Airbnb: If you’re more interested in unique accommodations or want something off the beaten path, Airbnb offers options like cabins and lodges that are closer to remote trails. This app is perfect for finding a cozy, nature-filled stay that aligns with your hiking adventure.
Hostelworld: For the budget-conscious hiker, Hostelworld provides a directory of hostels where you can meet like-minded adventurers. This app is especially useful for solo hikers who prefer shared accommodations and want to meet other travelers.
HiiKER: While you cannot book directly via HiiKER currently, you can still view what accommodation is available within close proximity to the trail. Tap the “accommodations” filter on any trail to see what is available and use any of the above platforms to book your stay.
Navigation and Route Planning with HiiKER
When it comes to navigating the trail, HiiKER is your go-to app for planning and executing a hike with confidence. It goes beyond basic maps to give you tools that make your hike smooth and enjoyable.
- Selection of Trails: With over 100,000 trails worldwide, HiiKER offers curated routes that fit any adventurer’s needs. From short, local hikes to multi-day treks, HiiKER lets you explore a variety of trails based on difficulty, terrain, and distance.
- Offline Capability: One of the app’s most valuable features is the ability to download maps for offline use. In areas where mobile signal is unreliable, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that HiiKER’s maps and your route are accessible offline. This feature is essential for hiking in remote regions or mountainous areas. What’s better is that offline maps are free for all HiiKER users.
- Range of Detailed Maps: HiiKER offers a range of detailed maps, including topographic, satellite, and national park maps. The app’s mapping system is incredibly precise, making it easy to identify changes in elevation, water crossings, and other natural features along your route.
- Waypoints and Accommodation Information: Plan your hike like a pro by adding custom waypoints along the trail. Mark locations for water sources, campsites, accommodations, or even scenic viewpoints. You can also upload photos to these waypoints and share them with your friends or hiking group, creating a personalised trail experience. HiiKER allows you to plan your route in detail and sync it with Garmin or Strava for real-time updates and tracking.
Gear Rental and Purchase Apps
REI Co-op App: If you need to buy or rent gear for your hike, REI’s app is the perfect solution. You can browse gear, read reviews, and even rent tents, hiking poles, and other essentials. The app also features educational resources like packing checklists and community forums.
Outdoorsy: For hikers who like to camp near trailheads, Outdoorsy lets you rent campervans and RVs. It’s perfect for multi-day hikes that require a bit more logistical support. Simply search for nearby rentals and hit the road with all the comforts of home on wheels.
Weather and Environmental Condition Apps
Windy: Visualising wind patterns, temperature, and weather changes, Windy is a favorite among hikers who need accurate forecasts. This app is especially useful in mountainous regions where wind speeds can dramatically affect your hike.
HiiKER: Using HiiKER TrailGPT, you can ask any trail/hiking related questions, such as the weather on trail and even how the recent weather has affected the trail conditions.
Food and Supply Planning
HappyCow: For hikers with dietary preferences or restrictions, HappyCow helps you locate vegan and vegetarian restaurants nearby. Whether you’re stopping for a pre-hike breakfast or a post-hike meal, you can easily find a spot that aligns with your diet.
Instacart: Planning a multi-day hike? Use Instacart or another grocery delivery app to stock up on supplies before your adventure. Having food and meal-prep essentials ready will save you time and stress before heading out to the trailhead.
HiiKER: Using the HiiKER amenities functionality, you can find stores, restaurants and towns that are within close proximity to the trail. This is very useful when planning your resupply points or simply as somewhere to go for a meal!
Communication and Sharing Apps
WhatsApp: Staying in touch with friends and family while hiking is essential, especially if you’re hiking in remote areas. WhatsApp allows you to send real-time updates, share your location, and send media during your hike. It’s also an easy way to stay in touch with your hiking group if you get separated.
Google Keep: Google Keep is a fantastic tool for organising your hike before and during the trip. Share itineraries and jot down notes—all in one place. The app syncs across devices, so you and your group can stay organised throughout your adventure.
HiiKER: Using HiiKER Live Locator, you can share your exact location to anyone. Give your family and friends piece of mind by letting them know where you are using Live Locator.
Packing Apps and Sites
LighterPack: One of the most popular tools for serious hikers and ultralight enthusiasts is LighterPack. This web-based app helps you meticulously track the weight of each item in your pack. You can categorise your gear into essentials like shelter, food, clothing, and other supplies, allowing you to evaluate your pack’s total weight. By breaking it down into each section, you can easily identify where you might be able to cut down on weight to make your hike more comfortable.
One of the best features of LighterPack is the ability to share your gear list with others. If you’re hiking with a group, everyone can compare lists to ensure you’re not duplicating gear unnecessarily. You can also save multiple packing lists for different types of hikes, making it easy to switch between day hikes, multi-day trips, and ultralight adventures.
PackPoint: PackPoint is another great packing app, especially for those who need a little help organising their gear. What sets PackPoint apart is its ability to create a customised packing list based on the weather forecast, the length of your trip, and the activities you plan to do. It’s especially handy if you’re heading out for a multi-day hike where you might encounter a variety of weather conditions. Just input your trip details, and the app generates a list for you, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting any crucial items.
A well-organised hike starts long before your boots hit the trail. Using these apps, from Skyscanner for travel to HiiKER for route planning, you can ensure that every detail is covered, leaving you free to enjoy the journey. Whether you’re hiking for a day or a week, these tools will keep you on track and help you make the most of your adventure.
So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next greate hiking adventure today!
