6 Best Off-Road Map Apps for Android (Trail Now)
Driving or biking off-road is an amazing experience, but getting lost in the wilderness is not so great. This is exactly why anyone thinking about going off-roading should take one of the best off-road map apps for Android along with them.
One of the most important features of any off-road map app is its availability offline. Usually, when you go off the road, there is a high chance you won’t get any reliable service. That is true wherever you go around the globe, unfortunately.
However, if you have already downloaded one of the best offline map apps for Android you won’t have much of a problem. Combine that with one of the detailed off-road map apps and you will be in safe hands.
Note: The best off-road map apps for Android were tested on a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. The apps worked fine and no problems were faced during testing.
Best Off-Road Map Apps for Android
Let’s take a look at 6 Best Off-Road Maps for Android. Please note that you will need to download the maps from the internet to get full features offline on some apps.
Also, all the apps are free, however, some of them offer in-app-purchases which unlock the full functionality of the app.
- All-In-One Offline Maps
- ViewRanger – Hiking Trails & Bike Rides
- BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS
- Polaris GPS Navigation
- Gaia GPS Hiking Maps, Topo Maps, Hike App
- AllTrails: Hiking, Running & Mountain Bike Trails
1. All-In-One Offline Maps
While other apps only offer one type of map for you to use, All-In-One Offline Maps goes all in and offers multiple different maps. The app comes with the classic road maps but then also offers detailed topographical as well as satellite ones.
The best thing about this great off-road map app for Android is its ability to download all types of maps on your device. This makes the maps available completely, even when you don’t have an active internet connection. The app is also capable of adding extra layers on top of the standard maps to make your experience personal.
If you want, you can even stack maps from multiple sources over each other. The app offers opacity controls, so you can peek through a map and get the information you want. I also really like how the app clearly shows how much storage space is being used to store the downloaded maps, this makes it easier to free storage
2. ViewRanger – Hiking Trails & Bike Rides
ViewRanger is hands down my personal favorite app on the list. Although it can be used for off-road driving, it is more focused on off-road bike tracks. ViewRanger allows you to easily download topographical maps and navigate without any worries of getting lost.
The app works perfectly offline and doesn’t misguide you at any point. If you want to go off-roading on your bicycle, ViewRanger is the easiest choice you can make. You will get free global maps that include street maps, terrain maps as well as satellite images, so you can plan your trip appropriately.
The app also offers some premium features which you can access by getting upgrading to the pro version. That will allow you to access USA topographical maps, USGS Topo, USA Land Cover, and USA Slopes. You will also receive premium topographical maps.
3. BackCountry Navigator TOPO GPS
BackCountry has been around for a long while and it provides the same experience today as well. I tested the app almost 3 years ago and it is still as useful as it was back then. The interface hasn’t changed since the last time I tested it. It was OK back then but it is outdated by today’s standards.
If you can look past the design deficiencies, BackCountry provides great navigational topographical maps for you to use. All you need to do is download the maps you need and that’s it. The app will use your device’s GPS to provide accurate instructions when you are navigating off-road.
The biggest problem is the area selection, which still is a chore. Another barrier is that the app is not free. If you are going off-roading a lot, the one-time fee for the pro version is very reasonable. However, if you just go occasionally, there are other apps you can get, and that too for free.
4. Polaris GPS Navigation
Polaris GPS Navigation is one of those apps that you should get even if you don’t want to go on off-road adventures. The app offers a wide variety of features that are almost essential for going off the road. With this app on your side, you will be able to navigate through dense woods as well as sail over water without any worries.
The compass in this app is exceptional and the app provides a slew of information on the compass screen. From latitude to longitude, from true heading to magnetic heading, and from altitude to speed, the app gives you a ton of information without being overwhelming.
You will appreciate the ability to download maps of a specific area. All you need to do is select the area and the rest will be taken care of by the app. Polaris GPS Navigation also comes with backcountry exploration, hunting maps, mountain biking trails, compass orienteering, geocache, and a trail recorder. All of that is offered for free, this alone makes Polaris GPS Navigation a must have app.
5. Gaia GPS Hiking Maps, Topo Maps, Hike App
If you are looking for a simple and straight forward GPS off-road map app, then Gaia GPS is one of the best ones around. You can easily plan your off-roading trips by taking a look at the maps and evaluating the paths and making a well-judged decision.
The app comes with extremely easy to read maps that can also be download on your device for offline usage. Gaia GPS has advanced map tools that enable you to deploy waypoints, record tracks, and even take geo-tagged photos when you are driving around.
By using the provided tools you will be able to create routes, make areas, organize, and share folders with ease. The app also comes with a search function that will highlight hiking trails, natural places, parks, and addresses for you to explore.
6. AllTrails: Hiking, Running & Mountain Bike Trails
Whether you are looking for hiking, running, mountain biking, or even a spot for camping, this app can help you a lot. You can easily find dog-friendly or kid-friendly trails, download them, and use them offline.
This app offers one of the larges offline off-road trail collections – over 60,000 hiking trails and mountain biking routes. You can also search for trails according to your experience and fitness level.
A pro version of the app is available with the annual subscription of $29.99. It is definitely worth the price!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best offroad Map app?
Polaris, ViewRanger, and Alltrials are some of the top off-road navigation apps. Gaia GPS and BackCountry Navigator are two other excellent choices. Android users can download these apps. Whichever app you choose, be sure it has excellent ratings and has offline access.
What is View Ranger?
Outdoor enthusiasts who desire offline maps and crave interactive features will find ViewRanger to be a reliable tool. even in the absence of a data link, bringing the outdoors with you.
Do you need Internet for AllTrails?
Having the ability to download maps to your phone for offline use is one of the many wonderful features of AllTrails Pro. This enables you to navigate while on the path even without a data link by viewing precise map information and utilizing the built-in GPS on your phone!
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Venture Deep With Off-Road Map Apps
With the best off-road map apps for Android on your side, you won’t be afraid of venturing deep inside unexplored territories. Just make sure you have all the supplies with you, a handy Android device, and one of the best power banks.
Do tell us about your off-road adventures. Better yet, share details about your off-road treks, especially if you have adjusted their height, those are pretty amazing. See you on the mud trails!