Report updated Apr 7, 2026
Topographic Maps & Trails
v1.7Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and explorers who require reliable, offline-capable topographic mapping and basic performance tracking for their excursions.
What Is Topographic Maps & Trails?
Launched Nov 2, 2018
Updated Jan 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
What does it look like?
What are the key features?
Allows users to download map data for use in areas without cellular connectivity
Provides access to professional-grade USGS topographic maps and high-resolution orthoimagery
Tracks distance, vertical gain, time, and calories burned during outdoor activities
Visualizes hiking paths with color-coding based on elevation changes
Securely syncs and backs up hiking statistics and history to iCloud
What do users think? iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a mixed sentiment. Users appreciate offline map utility and responsive developer support, but report poor offline map ux and inaccurate tracking/data.”
What Users Love
The ability to save the maps for offline use is super helpful.
Allows for unlimited offline map downloads.
I wrote a review about a week ago because the new update caused the app to crash and without delay a new update was available.
Pain Points
Downloading offline maps is annoying, can’t just draw a box around a region.
Downloading a offline map couldn’t be any harder, so many other apps where you simply download the map instead of playing the screen recording game.
The distance mileage recording is way off. Not even close to accurate.
Unless you are in cell range, elevation gain is always way low.
High confidence · 49 reviews available
How is it ranked?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Paid | #56 | ▲33 |
What are the pros and cons?
Pros
- High overall rating (4.57) with over 2,800 ratings.
- One-time purchase model appeals to subscription-fatigued users.
- Unique elevation-coded track visualization.
- Responsive developer addressing technical issues quickly.
Cons
- Unintuitive and frustrating offline map download process.
- Reported inaccuracies in GPS distance and elevation tracking.
- Loss of map detail at high zoom levels.
- Lack of a web or social media presence.
What is the market outlook?
Growth Opportunities
- Implement a 'box-select' region download tool to improve UX.
- Refine GPS algorithms to improve tracking accuracy.
- Add user-requested features like waypoints and custom markers.
- Expand to Android to capture a larger market share.
Market Threats
- Dominant subscription players (Gaia GPS, AllTrails) improving their offline features.
- Strava's expansion into the hiking and topographic mapping category.
- Technical niche apps like WorkOutDoors dominating the wearable mapping space.
Who competes with Topographic Maps & Trails?
The Nemesis
Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps
★4.8 (32K)TrailBehind
The primary direct competitor offering comprehensive USGS topographic layers and offline map management for serious outdoor navigation.
The primary direct competitor offering comprehensive USGS topographic layers and offline map management for serious outdoor navigation.
Contenders
Avenza Maps: Offline Mapping
Avenza Systems Inc.
Specializes in professional-grade offline PDF maps, including the official USGS quadrangle series.
Specializes in professional-grade offline PDF maps, including the official USGS quadrangle series.
Outdooractive
Outdooractive AG
Offers robust vector-based topographic maps and global trail tracking features.
Offers robust vector-based topographic maps and global trail tracking features.
Guru Maps Pro - Offline Nav
Evgen Bodunov
A high-performance offline mapping engine that supports various topographic sources and track recording.
A high-performance offline mapping engine that supports various topographic sources and track recording.
Footpath Route Planner
Half Mile Labs LLC
Focuses on easy route planning over topographic maps with strong offline support for hikers.
Focuses on easy route planning over topographic maps with strong offline support for hikers.
Peers
The most technical mapping app for Apple Watch users who want topo maps on their wrist.
Advanced Vector Mapping
The dominant social fitness tracker that has recently expanded its hiking and topo map features.
Athlete Intelligence (AI)
Hiking and Skiing - PeakVisor
★4.6 (13K)Routes Software SRL
Combines 3D topographic maps with AR peak identification for mountain enthusiasts.
Combines 3D topographic maps with AR peak identification for mountain enthusiasts.
New Kids on the Block
MapOut
Valnova
Gaining popularity for its unique, highly legible hand-drawn style topographic maps and offline efficiency.
Gaining popularity for its unique, highly legible hand-drawn style topographic maps and offline efficiency.
Pinnacle Climb Log
Nick Romano
A newer, modern hiking tracker focusing on clean UI and statistics visualization.
A newer, modern hiking tracker focusing on clean UI and statistics visualization.
What are the key takeaways?
Topographic Maps & Trails is a divisive navigation app that is a paid app. With a 4.6/5 rating from 2.8K reviews, it receives mixed feedback from users. Users particularly appreciate offline map utility, though poor offline map ux remains a common concern.
Best for: Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and explorers who require reliable, offline-capable topographic mapping and basic performance tracking for their excursions.
How much does it cost?
Model: paid
The app utilizes a simple, one-time paid model, positioning itself as a low-friction alternative to subscription-based navigation apps.
iOS Version
1.7
Release Date
Nov 2, 2018
iOS Price
$4.99