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26.09.2017, 13:39
| Member | | Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Nowhere
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| | Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
There are some great posts on the forum with many links to helpful websites with detailed maps, but I haven't found anything specifically for us who prefer not to print out, or are too tight to buy, paper maps.
Anyone using an app they can recommend, iOS or Android.
I have taken a look at ViewRanger and it is ok but limited free maps and so I was looking for advice before taking the plunge and paying for routes when I might not need them.
So far my hiking has been limited to Rigi (Arth-Rigi Kulm- Vitzau) and everything was well signposted, but the general advice is to always have a map "just in case"
I should also add I just looked at the SwissMobility app which isn't free (CHF35 for offline maps I think) nor very easy to use or modern but might be an alternative to ViewRanger. Anyone used either/both?
Last edited by wheatism; 26.09.2017 at 13:51.
Reason: Swissmobility Plus
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26.09.2017, 13:53
|  | Moddy Wellies | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Yorkshire
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
SwizerlandMobility have good maps and a reasonable app. http://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/schweizmobil.html
The best thing about them though, if you subscribe, is that you can create your own routes on their site that automatically finds walking paths between points (as much as it can, otherwise just on the street), showing distance and height profile and you can then download these to the app and follow as you walk.
It's not GPS as in turn by turn instructions, but it shows your current location on what looks like a paper map.
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26.09.2017, 14:04
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: la cote
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
Swissmobility maps are good in my experience. Last I knew there is a free version, and only if you want to save or create your own map do you pay for that ability.
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26.09.2017, 14:26
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rapperswil
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
The iPhone version of http://www.gps-tracks.com/ allows you to download SwissTopo maps for offline use.
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26.09.2017, 17:27
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) | Quote: | |  | | | SwizerlandMobility have good maps and a reasonable app......and you can then download these to the app and follow as you walk. | | | | | Thanks that sounds great except maybe I am being dumb but:
1. I see no option to subscribe, unless you mean the Switzerland Mobility Plus. Maybe that's my best option 
2. Say I want to do the walk Goldau to Sattel. On the website is a good map here, but there is no way I can get it into the app. I only have print options. And if I search for Goldau in the app, it shows maps but not routes.
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26.09.2017, 18:36
|  | Moddy Wellies | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North Yorkshire
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) | Quote: | |  | | | Thanks that sounds great except maybe I am being dumb but:
1. I see no option to subscribe, unless you mean the Switzerland Mobility Plus. | | | | | Yeah. That's the one. | Quote: | |  | | | Say I want to do the walk Goldau to Sattel. On the website is a good map here, but there is no way I can get it into the app. I only have print options. And if I search for Goldau in the app, it shows maps but not routes. | | | | | Maybe it's because I have the plus, but I get the option to add it to the map;
E.T.A. - To do this, I go to Goldau on the map and click on the green path.
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26.09.2017, 18:53
|  | Modulo 2 | | Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Baselland
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
I bought some Hallwag Kümmerly+Frey hiking maps. When you buy the map, you get a code that enables you to download the map onto their app.
It's quite nice to have the physical maps as well - for planning routes etc. I take the map and the app. I also have the free swiss mobility app. I guess given the above discussions, this doesn't work if you haven't got data.
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26.09.2017, 19:37
| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) | Quote: | |  | | | | | | | | The Swisstopo app itself allows that, as do several others.
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27.09.2017, 12:53
| Member | | Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Nowhere
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) Answering my own question:
So thanks all for the advice. In the end I have plumped for ViewRanger.
There are many sites around (e.g. http://wegwandern.ch) where you can view hikes others have done and it is really easy to download the gpx file and then upload it into ViewRanger using their website. Then a simple sync and voila...the map is then on your phone.
I am sure there are lots of other choices but the ability to easily import walks from all over the internet makes it so easy to use.
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27.09.2017, 13:40
| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) | Quote: | |  | | | Answering my own question:
So thanks all for the advice. In the end I have plumped for ViewRanger.
There are many sites around (e.g. http://wegwandern.ch) where you can view hikes others have done and it is really easy to download the gpx file and then upload it into ViewRanger using their website. Then a simple sync and voila...the map is then on your phone.
I am sure there are lots of other choices but the ability to easily import walks from all over the internet makes it so easy to use. | | | | | Too late then, but I was going to mention the hiking version of an app I use für cycling. Mapmyride allows rides to be shared, copied and edited, and I particularly like the ability to show a climb and descent profile. I've not actually used mapmyhike , but I can imagine it ticking all your boxes here too.
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27.09.2017, 14:34
| Newbie | | Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Olten
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
I use Wikiloc.
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27.09.2017, 14:47
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kanton Luzern
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
Has this been mentioned: https://map.geo.admin.ch/
Select the hiking trails checkbox. Print to PDF and use on your phone. It's free.
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27.09.2017, 15:40
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Baden
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
Not an App, but swissmobility allows for selecting and printing maps in various scales . No need for Battery, GPS nor mobile network.
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27.09.2017, 15:48
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Zurich area
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) | Quote: | |  | | | I should also add I just looked at the SwissMobility app which isn't free (CHF35 for offline maps I think) nor very easy to use or modern but might be an alternative to ViewRanger. Anyone used either/both? | | | | | CHF 35 per year.  Each year you will get an Einzahlungsschein.
I using it for motorcycling at strange places. If you do not like the highlighted hiking or cycling paths just select the canoe profile | This user would like to thank aSwissInTheUS for this useful post: | | 
27.09.2017, 16:06
|  | Junior Member | | Join Date: May 2009 Location: Frauenfeld
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
Other options - SwissMap Mobile [Free] - Off-line 10km square caching plus recording, plus Augmented reality for peaks. Overlays for popular hiking trails. Bit clunky UI, but a lot of functionality. Better than SwissMobility App.
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/swiss-map-mobile/id311447284?mt=8 - Outdooractive [Freemium] - very well designed. Best thing is that you can easily plan your own route with the touchscreen and it will calculate distance and time based on terrain and show you the elevation profile. Has many interesting overlays showing areas with >30% gradient etc. Offline maps cost though. Can record routes and add comments/pics as well along the way. Ref Graubunden customized version below...
https://www.outdooractive.com/en/mobile.html My recommendation - if you're only in Switzerland, download the Graubunden Hiking app. This is a customized version of Outdooractive that provides a massive list of trails & routes in GR, really great UI, plan and save your own routes etc. Best thing is that it allows you to save offline areas in any part of Switzerland, which you would have to pay for with the commercial app. https://www.graubuenden.ch/en/news-t...-and-bike-apps
Attached is a custom trail near Maloja (super pretty!)
Happy hiking | The following 2 users would like to thank Stew for this useful post: | | 
18.04.2018, 18:45
| Newbie | | Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Como
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
When I'm hiking in Switzerland most of the time I use Switzerland Mobility and Maps.Me (both free).
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26.08.2019, 17:04
| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
Digging up an old thread
So not being much of an official "hiker" .. Do these apps people mention tell you where the little yellow sign posts are?
This weekend we want to go a short family hike. Starting at a village near us, up the mounain and back, round trip.. Just an easy family walk really, not in the proper wilderness..
But I literally don't know where to start, as in the beginning of the route. I downloaded the Switzerland Mobility app and yeah it shows the start/end points but just starting from the village!
Yeah I have the Rega app installed just in case the kids get really hungry.
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26.08.2019, 17:27
| Newbie | | Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Como
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
I usually plan the hikes from either Parking areas or Cable Car stations in PeakVisor 3D Maps (which is also free for online use and requires a subscription for offline usage).
That way depending on your transport you pretty easy can pick a target for the day (estimate elevation difference and walking time). It doesn't show you yellow signs though...
Here's a sample screenshot for a hike to Hinterrugg (for obvious reasons it is not a good candidate for a family hike :-) ). | 
26.08.2019, 17:54
| Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brunnen
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline)
I have bee traveling the wold using OSMAND+
online and offline maps.
the app is great for any activity from walking to driving.
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26.08.2019, 18:06
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kanton Luzern
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| | Re: Hiking Apps (GPS based navigation online/offline) | Quote: | |  | | |
But I literally don't know where to start, as in the beginning of the route. I downloaded the Switzerland Mobility app and yeah it shows the start/end points but just starting from the village!
| | | | | Finding where to start a route can be difficult.
In a village, the easiest way is to go the train station, main bus stop or just the centre of the village where you'll usually find some yellow signs with arrows, and names of places. Choose the one which goes in the direction you want to go. i.e there's bound to be a place listed on the sign that is along your route.
Normally if there's a split in a walk with yellow signs going in two directions, there will also be names of destinations shown too.
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