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?

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.

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.

The iPhone version of http://www.gps-tracks.com/ allows you to download SwissTopo maps for offline use.

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.

Yeah. That's the one.

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.

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.

The Swisstopo app itself allows that, as do several others.

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.

I use Wikiloc.

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.

Not an App, but swissmobility allows for selecting and printing maps in various scales . No need for Battery, GPS nor mobile network.

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

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

Attached Thumbnails

 

When I'm hiking in Switzerland most of the time I use Switzerland Mobility and Maps.Me (both free).

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.

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 :-) ).

Attached Images

PeakVisor-s.jpg (235.0 KB, 260 views)

I have bee traveling the wold using OSMAND+
online and offline maps.
the app is great for any activity from walking to driving.

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.