Google Maps recently launched its biggest upgrade in years, filled to the brim with Gemini-powered features like Ask Maps and immersive, 3D navigation — it can recommend the best parking spots and suggest the top spots to check out while you travel around the world.
But even with all of AI’s help, the digital map still lacks in one area: Outdoor navigation.
A group of teenagers hiking Canada’s Howe Sound Crest Trail in British Columbia recently found that out the hard way. The group, made up of 17-year-old novice hikers, was evacuated by local search-and-rescue teams after trusting a five-hour walk estimate from Google Maps.
Experienced hikers would have caught the app’s mistake and come more prepared than the teens — Howe Sound Crest is an 18-mile hike with a 6,000-foot elevation gain, and is considered a two-day trip for beginners. But the novice hiker, relying solely on the map estimate, may not know its limitations.
Why is Google Maps not recommended for hiking?
On city roads, Google Maps combines live traffic estimates with historic averages, posted speed limits, tolls, and other street data to generate the most accurate travel time for a standard vehicle. With integrations across the transportation landscape, it’s fairly accurate. For walking, the process is a little more complex — humans and natural landscapes, obviously, are hard to standardize into an algorithm. The app uses an average human walking speed that might not match your own, and while it will adjust that time based on elevation, it won’t account for important things like trail terrain or type.
Mashable Trend Report
Satellite imagery and machine learning come in handy for urban areas, but labyrinthine trails cutting through woods and forests are often left out, and an area’s topography is usually only shown with basic details and minimalist renderings.
In 2024, competitor Apple Maps launched a new hiking upgrade in iOS 18, providing access to U.S. national park hike information and topographical maps to help plan custom hiking routes. But many seasoned hikers still discourage using mainstream navigation platforms, especially if you’re climbing in the mountains or traversing potentially hazardous routes.
What can I use instead of Google or Apple maps?
Instead of Google or Apple, try hobby-specific apps. Users on Reddit recommend resources such as Mapy and komoot. The free Open Street Map app and AllTrails have been popular among the adventurous set for years. A recent review by The Great Outdoors named Hiiker its number one hiking app. And hikers can get topographical data directly from local surveying agencies online.
Ultimately, each map offers different information, and most hikers use a combination of them for inspiration, topography, and safety planning.
It also never hurts to have analog resources as a backup. Keep a guide to local hiking trails and a recent topographical map of the area on hand (and know how to read it). Brush up on your compass skills, and connect with fellow experienced hikers to find the safest — but still awe-inspiring — routes beyond your phone.
