AllTrails review: the app that makes exploring the outdoors easier

If your New Year's resolution is to get out there and explore the great outdoors, there's an app for that. Actually, there are plenty of apps for it, but the one I've been testing over the festive period has really impressed me.

It's called AllTrails, and it's a community based GPS mapping app aimed at hikers. I'm not really a hiker, per se, but I do enjoy a long walk and I live close to the Peak District, so I've been able to give it a thorough test.

You could think of AllTrails as a Strava for hikers. It's not focused on running or cycling, but it does have that social network feel baked in.

For example, you can use the app to map out a route, rate it, add photos, share tips, and then encourage others to go and give it a bash.

Right from the start, AllTrails feels like it was designed by people who actually hike. The interface is clean and intuitive: open it up, search for trails near you, and immediately you’re greeted with filters for difficulty, length, elevation, route type and even dog-friendly or child-friendly options.

The mapping system itself is excellent — clear, responsive and detailed. It doesn't have quite the same level of detail as the Ordnance Survey maps I also subscribe to, but you can flit between terrain maps and satellite maps, which is really handy.

The trail overlays show you exactly where you’re going, and when you’re out on the path the GPS tracking is solid; I’ve used it through woodland, open fields and up steep ascents, and it’s never betrayed me.

It’s also reassuring to see your progress plotted in real time, especially when you’re away from your comfort zone. The elevation profiles are a real bonus too — especially if you're feeling a tad lazy and you don't want too much of a challenge.

It's the community aspect that really helps you, though. The user reviews for each trail, along with sensible tips like how muddy it gets, whether you'll encounter livestock, or what type of wildlife you'll see are all there, if not in the tags, in the reviews.

There are occasional glitches — I’ve seen a few old routes with missing markers or confusing waypoints when contributors aren’t consistent - but that’s part of the nature of a crowdsourced system. And honestly, the paid tier (AllTrails+), which unlocks offline maps and unrestricted map layers, genuinely feels worth it if you’re out of signal or deep in the countryside often.

Offline maps alone have saved me more than once when the phone reception dropped and the trail didn’t, and it's well worth the investment with AllTrails, because the packages start at just £2.99 per month. There is a free trial, too.

What I particularly like about AllTrails is how it strikes a balance between planner and adventure sidekick. There's nothing dry and clinical about the interface, but it’s not overly gamified or cluttered either.

You can sit at home with a cup of tea and scroll through trails very easily, planning your next outing, and then quickly change your plans if you decide you're feeling fitter than you thought and you want a bigger challenge. It's really adaptable.

This time of year is one of the best for getting out there and exploring. Sure, it's cold and often wet and muddy, but it's quieter and nothing beats a frosty morning for a brisk walk in the cold, clean air.

Being able to seek inspiration from dozens, if not hundreds, of people who have been out there and experienced your chosen route and reported back just takes the intimidation out of the activity, and it's a great motivator.

This has to be one of the best systems I've come across for casual walkers or hardcore hikers, and I'd definitely recommend the small investment for the Plus plan.

You can sign up for a free trial here, to try it out for yourself.