Hiking Trail Navigation and Offline Maps

. Trailspotting provides free trail downloads for hiking navigation, including KML, GPX and AllTrails versions. Use them with applications like these.

Organic Maps
Website · Apple · Android
Free. Rough around the edges.

Organic Maps is an open-source, privacy-focused, free offline map and navigator for Apple and Android smartphones. Less polished than commercial products like AllTrails, Organic Maps remains more flexible in many ways and can also be used for driving directions and city exploration.

Easily download regional, state or country-wide basemaps from Open Street Map for offline access. Load up as many trails as you'd like in GPX, KML or KMZ format including those downloadable from Trailspotting. KML files (KMZ are a compressed version of the same file format) are usually better as they can include multiple tracks in different colors and extra waypoint information that the GPX format can't accommodate. Trailspotting has KML links for all trails reviewed, located in the top right corner of the maps we embed in our articles.

AllTrails
Website · Apple · Android
Good for subscribers only.

AllTrails is an excellent resource for trail discovery and planning and its smartphone app is an eminently reliable navigational tool. Navigation with AllTrails is not recommended without a paid subscription however, as your access to routes and maps are only functional when you're in range of a cellphone tower.

More Trail Navigation Files
AllTrails · Outdoor Active · Trailspotting
Free file downloads.

Beyond Trailspotting you can find many more downloadable GPX and KML files in other places, including in the links above. You can also convert, edit and combine files on the PC using programs like GPX Editor.

Mapping Safety
In the interests of safety we recommend hikers carry backup means of navigation. For some this might include a paper map, or a GPS device like a Garmin Inreach. When day hiking with our smartphone we use a tether to avoid accidental drops and carry at least one battery backup to charge our phone. See Gear We Use for more about what we take with us on the trail.