How To Not Get Lost

We’ve all been there- an unfamiliar place with only a phone to help us find our way. Or worse, no internet! We often think we know where we’re going, only to find out we’re just kind of winging it and could use a little help. Whether on a trail or in a city there are apps that can be super useful in helping us not get lost. Best of all, there are free apps that will do the trick. You probably already use the most helpful free app- Google Maps. Polaris Navigation is another powerful, free tool.

To help you not get lost, I’ll cover a few basics here to help with non-motorized navigation, i.e. travel by foot, bike or public transit. For more specialized or custom navigation you will likely need the paid version of an app. I’ll provide a list of the best paid apps for hiking, biking and camping adventures.

As with any adventure, it’s always best to plan ahead. Be sure to install these apps while at home and set up accounts so you can seamlessly use them while outside.

Google Maps

This is already a go-to app for many. While the basic functionality is fairly straight-forward, there are a few functions that aren’t as widely known or used. The best part is they are all included in the free app! Here are a few functions that can be particularly helpful:

Download Google maps for offline use

This is especially useful when you’re in a mountain town, short on battery life or are in a foreign country. If you anticipate not having adequate cell service, search for your destination on Google Maps while you still have service. Then tap the microphone icon in the search bar and say “Ok maps”. Another screen will pop up with a rectangle around the selected area. You can then zoom in or out as needed to capture more or less of the map. Tap the download button to store an offline version of the selected area.

Since saying “ok maps” is far from intuitive, you may forget it. If you do, there is another way to download an offline map. From your selected area, choose a specific location on the map, such as a restaurant or hotel. Click on the restaurant to open the information about it- address, photos, operating hours. Tap the three dots at the top right corner and select “Download offline map” from the dropdown list.

When you need to use the offline map open Google Maps and use it as you normally would. Just be aware that any directions you search for will be for car navigation. You can also tap your profile picture (or initial) in the app and then select “Offline maps” from the dropdown list to access the maps you’ve downloaded.

In addition to being useful when you don’t have cell service, using offline maps is a great way to save battery life. Once you have downloaded your offline map, open Google Maps and tap your profile picture. Go to Settings and turn on the Wi-Fi only option. When wi-fi is available you’ll have access to the full functionality of your phone. In the meantime, you’ll be able to use the offline map whether you have Wi-Fi or not.

Public transit directions

This function is best for urban settings. If you don’t have a transit map or know which subway station or bus stop is closest to you, Google Maps comes in quite handy. In the same way that you use it for driving directions, search for directions to your destination. At the top of the screen, tap the rail car icon that’s next to the car icon. Google Maps will then provide the available options and provide the times the subway and/or buses depart from the indicated stations.

If you don’t need directions to a specific place but need to find the nearest transit stop, you can use the layers function. Tap the layers icon in the top right corner of the map and select the public transit layer in the Map details section. You’ll then be able to see the nearby transit stations and stops. Click the transit stop to see the train/bus schedule.

Share Your Location

Another super useful tool in Google Maps is the ability to share your location with friends. This is great for use in cities where one or more of your friends isn’t very familiar with the area. I would have greatly benefited from using this when meeting a friend for dinner last month. She was only a few blocks away from me but couldn’t figure out where she needed to walk to reach me. It’s also a great safety feature for solo travelers. When adventuring out by yourself it is always smart to let someone know where you are just in case you get lost or hurt.

To share your location, click on your profile picture and choose Location sharing. Then tap Share Location and select how long you want your location shared. You can then search your contacts and send your location via text or email. They will have access to your location for the duration of the selected time period.

Polaris Navigation GPS

Polaris is a handy app to have if you know how to use a compass already. It’s more powerful than just a basic compass, though. In addition to providing both true and magnetic headings, it also provides your latitude, longitude and altitude. If you happen to get lost, the app allows you to share your latitude and longitude via text or email. Additionally, you can download various maps, including topographic maps and nautical charts. This is a completely free app, but you will have to deal with a few ads, and the interface isn’t the most intuitive. Still, it’s a pretty powerful free app, so you can’t go wrong.

Best Paid Apps for Navigation

AllTrails

AllTrails is one of the most popular and easy to use apps available for hiking. There is a huge trail database, and I highly recommend the premium version that allows you to download trail maps for offline use.

Strava

Strava is the social media platform for the outdoor crowd. You’ve likely heard the expression, “If it didn’t happen on Strava, then it didn’t happen at all”. In addition to logging your activities, I love Strava’s Maps feature. It’s especially useful when you’re in an unfamiliar location and want to go for a ride or run. Tap the Maps icon at the bottom of the screen then, using the filter buttons at the top of the map, choose your activity, location and desired route distance. Strava will provide a few options based on the most popular roads used by Strava users. Save the routes you like and then navigate with your phone or send them to your GPS.

Ride with GPS

This is one of my favorite apps that I use all the time for road bike rides. Using the app in combination with the website allows you to use the basic features for free. I use Ride with GPS primarily for finding and creating routes for my bike rides. Using the app or website, search for existing routes in your area. Save the ones you want by “pinning” them. Navigating with your phone requires a paid subscription, so I transfer routes to my Garmin GPS by first downloading them to my laptop. I also use the free online version of Ride with GPS to create my own custom routes to send to my Garmin.

Trailforks

Ask a Mountain Biker which navigation app he/she uses, and the answer will most likely be Trailforks. The app can also be used for hiking and trail running. This is a feature-packed app but you’ll need the premium version to access most features. You can access all features of the app for free for 7 days before deciding if it’s worth the price tag.

Gaia GPS

Gaia combines the functionality of a GPS with the ability to navigate popular trails, create your own routes and add waypoints. Adding waypoints can be super useful for those planning longer hikes, camping trips or backpacking trips. This is definitely an app to familiarize yourself with for backcountry adventures. The premium version is actually a really good deal. You’ll get full access to Gaia and Trailforks for $99 per year. It also comes with a subscription to Outside Magazine and access to Outside TV.

There are many navigation and GPS resources available, so with a little advance preparation you can feel much more secure in your ability to not get lost on your next adventure. I’m happy to provide more detail on how to use any of these apps. Feel free to contact me if you need some help.