Top 10 Essential Apps For Outdoor Adventures

With Spring just around the corner and many of us still trying to stick to New Year’s resolutions such as getting outside and off our phones or exercising more, there’s never been a more opportune moment to ditch the indoor activities and embrace the great outdoors.

For some, a little in this pursuit wouldn’t go amiss. Whether you’ve grown tired of your usual walking paths or simply need extra motivation to get moving, these apps are here to inspire you to lace up your walking shoes and explore the great outdoors.

Digital Detox: How The Great Outdoors Can Help

 
Getting back to nature is important for many reasons. Notably, in today’s digital era, disconnecting from our phones and immersing ourselves in the outdoors can significantly benefit our mental well-being.

These days, venturing outside can be a crucial component of a digital detox – an intentional effort to minimise screen time. These detoxes play a pivotal role in helping us to focus on work or studies, giving our eyes and posture a well-deserved break from our screens, and most importantly, safeguarding our mental health as countless studies have shown how excessive mobile phone usage causes heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and diminished self-esteem.

Whether you’re simply appreciating the natural world or doing exercise in the great outdoors, such pursuits can significantly reduce anxiety and stress. They also offer opportunities to experience stunning landscapes, enjoy quality time with loved ones, and explore previously uncharted territories within your own country.

Top 10 Apps to Get You Outside

1. Go Jauntly

Go Jauntly is the go-to app for finding new nature-filled walking routes. Whether you prefer countryside strolls, mountain hikes, historical explorations, or coastal walks, Go Jauntly offers a plethora of options to satisfy your wanderlust. Best of all, this compact encyclopedia of trails can be completely free to use and boasts a user-friendly interface. With photo guides and straightforward A-to-B routes, navigating your way is effortless.

What’s more, users have the option to craft and share their own personalised walks for fellow enthusiasts to enjoy.

2. Geocaching

Geocaching has been a popular addition to people’s walking arson for a long time. For those who have yet to explore the joys of Geocaching, here’s the rundown: Create an account, access the app to locate geocaches, and embark on a treasure-hunting expedition to find these cleverly concealed items scattered nearby. Upon discovering a geocache, sign the logbook to share the experience.

Particularly fun for families seeking to infuse outdoor walks with excitement, Geocaching transforms the great outdoors into a thrilling treasure trove waiting to be explored.

3. Uncover Britain

Embark on an award-winning, self-drive road trip adventure with Uncover Britain, designed to unveil the finest treasures Britain has to offer. Tailored to your preferred mode of transport – be it by car, campervan, or motorhome – this app provides comprehensive route maps and highlights attractions along the way.

Subscribe to Uncover Britain and not only become inspired to plan holidays without needing to go through the airport faff of going abroad, but learn more about the history, heritage, cuisine, and traditions of the British regions. With Uncover Britain’s flexible itineraries, enjoy the freedom to explore diverse regions and indulge in unique experiences, all within the comfort of your leisurely schedule.

4. AllTrails

Whether you’re hiking, camping, or running, AllTrails illuminates your path to adventure. Boasting essential features like offline maps to ensure you’re never stranded in the wilderness and wrong-turn alerts to keep you on track, AllTrails serves as your ultimate outdoor companion.

With an extensive database of over four hundred thousand trails, there’s no excuse for sticking to your usual walking routes. What’s more, these trails can be tailored to accommodate wheelchairs and furry companions, ensuring they align perfectly with your needs and preferences.

Highlighted by its recognition as the winner of the App Store Awards ‘iPhone App of the Year,’ AllTrails demonstrates its unmatched capability in guiding outdoor enthusiasts toward memorable experiences.

5. Hiking Project

No matter your location, Hiking Project is your ultimate companion for discovering top-notch hikes nearby. Equipped with GPS route details, elevation profiles, interactive elements, captivating photos, and beyond, this app is your go-to navigator. Whether you’re seeking personalised recommendations or browsing the finest trails in a specific area, Hiking Project ensures you find the perfect hike tailored to your preferences.

6. WikiCamps UK

WikiCamps offers the ultimate camping experience for your outdoor adventures. Why endure the hassle of waking up at 4 am to catch a flight and dealing with hectic baggage stress when you can enjoy a holiday right at home?

After all, the UK is packed with campsites, caravan parks, backpacker hostels and more, inviting you to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the comfort of reputable facilities such as showers and toilets.

Moreover, WikiCamps streamlines trip planning with features like camping checklists, must-see points of interest, downloadable offline maps, and a forum where you can connect with other campers for valuable recommendations and insights.

7. Outdooractive

What ignites your enthusiasm for the great outdoors? Whether it’s a leisurely cycle, a challenging hike, scaling a mountain peak, or a brisk morning run, Outdooractive is your trusted companion. No matter where you find yourself in the world, Outdooractive provides guides spanning numerous countries, allowing you to explore the globe from virtually anywhere.

Crafted by local outdoor industry professionals, the trails featured on Outdooractive guarantee safety while showcasing the finest offerings of each area, including must-see attractions and recommendations for accommodations ranging from camping sites to luxury hotels.

Moreover, industry experts on Outdooractive offer invaluable advice on selecting the best gear for your next adventure and keep you informed about upcoming events in the outdoor industry, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your outdoor pursuits.

8. Strava

Strava stands as the preferred application for millions of outdoor enthusiasts, including runners, cyclists, hikers, walkers, and more, who enjoy their favourite sports amidst the beauty of nature.

By syncing with your phone’s GPS, Strava diligently tracks your activity, providing detailed analytics upon completion of your workout. From monitoring your speed and pace to calculating the distance covered, Strava equips you with comprehensive insights to assess your performance.

Moreover, Strava offers a refreshing departure from mundane social media apps by serving as an engaging, interconnected platform. Here, you can seamlessly share your activities and explore athletic content, free from the clutter of irrelevant posts often encountered on other social networks.

9. Charity Miles

Maybe you find it challenging to muster the motivation to step outside, but have you considered using your outdoor activities to make a difference in other people’s lives? That’s precisely the mission behind Charity Miles.

This innovative platform goes the extra mile for charity, literally. Whether you’re an individual striving to raise funds for charity or a charitable organisation seeking innovative ways to involve your supporters, the Charity Miles app empowers you to convert every mile you walk, run, or bike into contributions.

10. Pokémon Go

While Pokémon Go may not necessarily encourage you to put down your phone, it presents a refreshing alternative to traditional online games that confine you indoors.

For younger users especially, Pokémon Go offers an engaging incentive to venture outdoors. Through its interactive platform, players are immersed in an exciting quest to hunt for Pokémon while exploring their surroundings.