HikerBot

A free navigational app for Android smartphones for the PCT, AT, and CDT. Super easy to use.

HikerBot is a free smartphone app that can be used on the three main long-distance trails in the U.S.—Pacific Crest Trail (which also includes the JMT), Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.

My wife and I used HikerBot on a section hike of the PCT from Echo Lake in Lake Tahoe to Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park. While we used Half Mile maps for general navigation, HikerBot was very useful for finding our exact location on the trail. This made it very easy to find water, campsites, and make sure we were making our desired trail miles per day.

We found the app to be more up to date than the standard maps we carried, especially for campsites and water accessibility. While you could certainly rely on HikerBot alone as your navigational aid we did not, simply because we didn't want to run down our phone battery and because we believe you should always hike with a map and compass for safety.

A variety of map sources are available from a simple drop-down screen so you can toggle between different trail views. Pick between Topo map, Roadmap, USGS map, Satellite Images, Elevation Shading, and USFS maps. Included is an elevation profile to match the trail section you are on.

In addition, HikerBot has a compass feature and a notepad. HikerBot's List feature has tons of trail information for all the sections of the PCT, everything from trail angels to the stores, and places to stay. They have even partnered with Sonora Pass Resupply. You can order resupplies and SPR will send them to the various towns along the trail. We used Sonora Pass resupply on our trip and could not have been happier.

All in all, a really great free app to make things easier while on the trail. Available at the Google Play store.