HI-Tec’s Top 5 iPhone Apps for Walkers

Normally, we go hiking to escape the trappings of modern life. Now though, even in the most remote of locations, technology infiltrates its way in some shape or form.

Saying this technology has always had its place on the hike; from the compass to the thermo flask. There’s no reason then, why you shouldn’t embrace technology when it comes to your own hiking pursuits.

One of the great things about smartphones is the plethora of great apps for hikers. Here’s a guide to five apps all good walkers should have. These apps could prove useful to all hikers.

1. OutDoors by RoudTour

There has been an avalanche of Ordinance Survey mapping apps as of late for smartphones; however, this would appear to be the standout choice for hikers.

Unlike other mapping apps, these are fully downloadable, meaning you won’t need to be connected to the internet to access them! (Which is great, as phone signal is a scarce commodity when hiking.)

With Outdoors for iPhone, you can choose from 1:50k OS Mapping for your chosen region, or 1:250k OS Mapping of the whole of the UK.

The app is actually 14 different apps for 14 different regions, thus meaning you can economically select which ones you want/need to take with you (the downside to these large maps is the memory they take up).

The only downside to these apps is that they tend to need a lot of your phone’s battery, so make sure you’re fully charged before the hike and try to use the app sparingly. In-car phone chargers are a useful acquisition for hikers who want to ensure they never run the risk of running out of battery.

2. Mosquito Device by Patrick Guidicelli

A little less complex than a full OS map but no less as useful is the Mosquito Device by Patrick Guidicelli.

The Mosquito device uses high-pitched frequencies to keep away mosquitoes (not so much of an issue in the UK) and other pesky bugs. These frequencies are harmless to humans, plants and other animals. It is a must for any campers out there!

3. Compass Go by Tommy Westerberg

Again, there are a number of great compass apps for the smartphone, but this is the standout. With Compass Go, you can set a certain location in its memory and simply follow the arrow to it. This feature is great for those who often find themselves lost, or those who find it easier to follow an arrow than a map.

The only minor criticism we’d make a about this app is that the needle can be a little slow to move after changing directions; this is though, a minor, minor criticism and doesn’t detriment its usefulness.

4. Trailguru by Trailguru

The daddy of hiking apps for the iPhone; Trailguru allows you to track every movement when you are on trail and then review your vital statistics. You can analyse everything, such as distance travelled, duration, pace, speed, elevation, latitude and longitude.

The thing we like about this app is that after your hike you can post your activity on the Trailguru website and visualise your outing on Google Earth.

5. Ultimate SAS Survival by John ‘Lofty’ Wiseman

The Ultimate SAS Survival is a real boy’s app. A tad extreme but no less fun, the app provides you with information to survive should you ever find yourself lost in the wilderness.

The book on which this app has been based has been, for over 20 years, the definitive guide to ‘surviving any situation, anywhere in the world’. The app has some great tools should you ever find yourself stranded whilst hiking. The app includes a survival checklist, a comprehensive first aid list and the full text from the original book.