Organic Maps is a free and open-source application available on both iOS and Android, gaining popularity for its extensive trail data and offline capabilities.

The app features elevation contour lines, which assist hikers in understanding the terrain and elevation changes during their outdoor adventures.

An avid hiker from the Pacific Northwest finds traditional navigation apps like Google and Apple Maps inadequate for hiking due to their limited trail data and lack of offline functionality.

Users can download specific regions for offline use, ensuring full functionality, including search, saved locations, and turn-by-turn directions without needing an internet connection.

While Apple is expected to enhance its Maps app with hiking features in its upcoming iOS 18, the author currently favors Organic Maps for its reliability in remote areas.

Although Organic Maps is optimized for hiking, it also provides walking and driving directions, though it does not offer real-time traffic and transit data.

The app utilizes mapping data from Open Street Maps, which allows for user contributions, ensuring comprehensive trail coverage across regions such as Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and even Croatia.

Organic Maps is designed to be battery-friendly, enabling users to rely on it for multiple days during a backpacking trip without the need for recharging.