Top Platforms to Explore Hiking Trails: AllTrails, Komoot, Gaia GPS & More

If you're passionate about hiking, mountain trails, or outdoor adventures, you've probably asked yourself: what's the best app to plan my routes? In this article, we compare the top platforms used by explorers, hikers, and cyclists—especially useful in the Alps.

🟩 AllTrails

Best for: casual hikers, families, travelers, and nature lovers.

• Pros:

  • Over 450,000 trails worldwide.

  • Detailed filters (difficulty, length, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, etc.).

  • Community reviews and trail photos.

  • Pro version includes offline maps and route alerts.

• Cons:

  • Less accurate for remote or technical trails.

  • Free version requires network connection for navigation.

🟦 Komoot

Best for: cycling, long-distance trekking, and precision navigation.

• Pros:

  • Smart route planning based on terrain and activity.

  • Great integration with smartwatches and GPS devices.

  • Offline maps by region (one-time purchase or global subscription).

  • Tailored for outdoor sports (hiking, MTB, gravel, road cycling).

• Cons:

  • Smaller community interaction.

  • Less intuitive for first-time users.

🟫 Gaia GPS

Best for: experienced hikers, backcountry trekkers, mountaineers.

• Pros:

  • Advanced topographic maps with customizable layers.

  • Excellent for wilderness planning with detailed elevation data.

  • Highly accurate offline navigation.

  • Trusted by guides and rescue teams.

• Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve.

  • Less beginner-friendly.

🟨 Outdooractive

Best for: hiking in Europe (especially the Alps), tourism planning.

• Pros:

  • Strong database of official trails, via ferratas, and mountain huts.

  • Partnerships with alpine regions and mountaineering clubs.

  • Excellent topo maps in the Pro version.

• Cons:

  • Limited free version.

  • The interface can feel cluttered.

🟧 Wikiloc

Best for: users who love to share and discover worldwide trails.

• Pros:

  • Very active global community.

  • Many activity types (hiking, kayaking, trail running, etc.).

  • Simple and intuitive design.

• Cons:

  • Trail quality can vary (user-generated).

  • Free version doesn’t allow GPS navigation.

Pro Tip: Combine apps!

Many outdoor lovers use AllTrails to discover, Komoot to plan, and Gaia GPS to navigate—especially in remote areas with no signal.