Trail Technology for Older Hikers: GPS, Apps, and Safety Devices
From simple GPS units to smartphone apps and safety devices, trail technology is making hiking safer and more accessible for older hikers. This guide will introduce you to some of the best tech options suited for mature hikers, explaining how they work and why they matter.
Why Technology Matters for Older Hikers
Hiking is a wonderful way for people over 60 to stay active, enjoy nature, and boost mental and physical health. But as we get older, some challenges like navigation, staying connected, and managing emergencies can feel more concerning. Thankfully, modern technology offers tools that help older hikers overcome these challenges with ease and confidence.
As we age, vision, hearing, and balance may not be as sharp as before. This can make navigating rough or unfamiliar trails trickier. Also, health conditions might require quick access to help if there’s an accident.
Technology can:
- Provide accurate, easy-to-follow navigation
- Keep you connected with family or emergency services
- Help track your health and physical activity
- Offer peace of mind with safety alerts and location sharing
With the right gadgets and apps, hiking can be more relaxing and enjoyable, allowing you to focus on the beauty around you.
GPS Devices: A Digital Trail Guide
GPS (Global Positioning System) devices use satellites to pinpoint your exact location on a map. Many standalone GPS units are rugged, battery-efficient, and built specifically for outdoor use.
Benefits for Older Hikers
- Straightforward navigation: Helps you stay on the trail with tracking so you can find your way back.
- Offline maps: These can be used without cell service and are common in remote hiking areas.
- Emergency location: Some models allow you to send your exact location to rescuers if needed.
- Long battery run times: GPS units have much longer run times than Smartphone navigation apps (below).
Recommended GPS Devices
These devices often come with buttons and screens that are easier to handle than tiny smartphone touchscreens, which is helpful for older hands or those wearing gloves.
- Garmin eTrex Series: Lightweight, inexpensive, easy to use, with detailed topographic maps.
- Garmin GPSMAP Series: More advanced, with large screens and additional features like weather updates.
Smartphone Apps: Powerful Tools You Already Carry
Most people now carry smartphones, which can become multipurpose hiking companions with the right apps. They’re far less expensive than dedicated GPS receivers and usually have better, free, and up-to-date maps.
Top Hiking Apps for Older Hikers
- AllTrails: Offers trail maps, user trail reviews, and photos. You can download maps for offline use and track your hike distance and time.
- Far Out Guides: Provides excellent maps of long-distance hiking trails, including the localtion of water sources, shelters, and camp sites.
- Gaia GPS: A favorite among serious hikers, this app provides detailed topographic maps, lets you mark waypoints, record a track of your hike, and share routes.
Why Hiking Apps Are Great
- All smartphones have built-in GPS capabilities, so no extra device is needed.
- They can be used “offline” even when you’re out of cell phone range.
- You can customize the app to your skill level and hiking preferences.
Tips for Using Hiking Apps
- Always download maps before heading out, as cell signals can be weak on trails.
- Carry a portable charger or power bank to keep your phone running.
- Practice using the app at home or on easy walks before tackling tough trails.
Safety Devices: Peace of Mind on the Trail
Beyond navigation, safety devices can be lifesavers, especially for older hikers who might hike alone or in remote areas.
Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)
PLBs are small devices that, when activated, send a distress signal with your GPS location to emergency responders anywhere in the world. They work via satellite and do not rely on cell towers. They are used more by boaters and kayakers than by hikers. They can only send SOS requests, but lack two-way communication features, like satellite messengers, below.
- Pros: Highly reliable in emergencies, no subscription fees.
- Cons: Can be expensive and should only be used in true emergencies.
Satellite Messengers
Satellite messengers like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 or Zoleo Satellite Communicator combine GPS tracking with two-way messaging via satellite.
- Allow you to send pre-set messages or custom texts to contacts.
- Offer an SOS button to contact emergency responders.
- Provide two-way communications which are particularly useful for remote medical emergencies when it may take several hours for rescuers to arrive on the scene.
Headlamps
Headlamps are a must-have safety device that should be carried on all hikes because you never know when you’ll get stuck out after dark: you could get lost, or a companion might get injured, and you’ll want to stay with them until help can arrive. Most hikers carry rechargeable headlamps on hikes because they create less waste and are easy to recharge with other electronic devices. When choosing a headlamp, look for USB-C compatible ones because they charge faster, and ensure you carry all the recharging cords you need.
Carrying a battery pack can also be handy, so you can recharge your headlamp or any of your other electronic safety devices when they run out of power. A battery with 10,000 mAh of capacity is usually sufficient for day hikes, while 20,000 mAh of capacity may be warranted for multi-day backpacking trips. See Best Hiking Headlamps for the headlamps we recommend.
Practical Advice for Using Technology on Hikes
- Learn Before You Go: Spend time understanding how your device or app works. Practice setting waypoints, sending messages, or activating emergency signals.
- Backup Plans: Don’t rely solely on technology. Carry a paper map and compass as backups.
- Keep Devices Charged: Use portable chargers, especially for smartphones and satellite messengers.
- Share Your Plans: Always inform a friend or family member of your hiking route and expected return time.
- Regular Updates: Keep your device firmware and apps updated for the best performance and latest features.
Conclusion
Technology offers incredible tools that can make hiking safer, easier, and more enjoyable for people over 60. From GPS units that guide you to unfamiliar trails to smartphone apps that track your progress and safety devices that connect you to help in emergencies, these gadgets provide confidence and peace of mind.
By choosing the right devices and learning how to use them properly, mature hikers can continue to explore the outdoors, stay healthy, and enjoy the many benefits of hiking well into their golden years.
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This comment is based on my own experience and observations and does not reflect everyone’s ability or knowledge. I believe digital technology can be a great asset and communication tool in the great outdoors. However, as a Park Ranger, I still encounter issues with its use daily.
I don’t think it’s just an older person issue. It’s all ages, but most people don’t understand the power of the computer in their pocket. Emails, text messages, and liking a social media post, they got it. They also don’t set the phone up correctly for use with the mapping and other apps to work together.
Planning, for the most part, goes out the window. “Hey, let’s go hiking at the park”. No research or planning takes place. They might end up on the wrong trail or trail system. Or their route was longer than their ability.
I can normally tell if you have your face buried in your phone. You more than likely don’t know where you are or how to get to where you want to go. Sometimes you can’t get there from here.
Planning and caring the 10 Essentials. Understanding the technology and setting up your phone will all lead to a great outdoor experience. Also, if someone offers a class on a mapping app that you use, take the class. I guarantee you will learn something that you didn’t know.
I agree 100%. But there’s nothing I’ve found to motivate them to plan and carry the 10 essentials. I even wrote a book to educate older hikers about what they would benefit from knowing. I can only continue advocating this by setting an example and passing along my advice.
Another tip is to put your phone on airplane mode while in the mountains. The GPS will still work but keeping the phone from continually looking for a cell signal when there isn’t likely to be one will substantially increase the phone battery life.
In additon – turn down screen brightness and if you have an iPhone – set the battery on Low power mode.
What’s your opinion of the latest iteration of Caltopo’s mobile app? I’ve long used the website, but the mobile app disappointed me until the last year or so. It’s always been powerful but it seems to have gotten easier to use lately, for me at least. So I’m curious to hear your views Caltopo these days.
I haven’t used the latest version of the app. Sorry.
I’d say it is easier and have added quite a few features.
First always bring a printed map- at least one offically published. Then print planned route from an app. I always bring 2 copies of custom printed map from home, 2 compasses (broke one at the car once) and leave a copy at home. Also load the GPX onto my InReach Mini 2.
I use CalTopo. For a couple of years I had a subscription to that and Gaia. Only used AllTrails free version, tested most all of the others. Never been able to find maps for the Dacks or Catskills, spend most of my time, on FarOut. So now just Caltopo Pro ($50/yr) though I sometimes check AT and Gaia.
I draw routes on the desktop in a browser (not the desktop app which is $100/yr). They automatically end up on the phone. I name them and use folders to keep things uncluttered. All my maps are available on the phone. I’ve used all over NY where I am most often, in VA, NV, CA, PA and Iceland.
Cons of CalTopo:
1-The social component is not as robust as the others. I don’t care, actually prefer it. I can still can check the others ahead of time. With Pro I can see others shared saves but is a bit tricky.
2-Drawing routes on the phone does not snap to the trails. Gaia does.
I don’t think it’s important. A) I don’t like working on something that small; B) Caltopo lets me check an altenate profile (distance and elevation) on the fly that is not persistant so no extra clutter; C) I don’t believe the accuracy of snapped routes is reliable enough -See this blog showing real results of tracking with multiple devices. https://blog.caltopo.com/2020/10/12/2232/
Pros of CalTopo
Printing is easier and far more flexible.
Does snap to trail using desktop on the web.
Besides the typical color change it can change line style for route good for showing alternate routes and bail out.
Right click to check location, distance or profile with elevation. Also Weather if you have a connection.
Ordering custom printed maps is really nice at $10 each two sided
Slope Angle shading to color code slope angle
Shaded Relief-find old roads, drainages, possible camp sites
Link to Google Earth-updates almost live, better than any built in satelite view. In GE you can go back in history to see when the leaves are down and identify treee cover.
Simple to disable 3rd party cookies. Far less junk mail than Gaia.
Most SAR use it, the NPS uses it and AFAIK the NY DEC uses it though I’ve met rangers and trainers who like Strava.
Do you still use, and recommend Avenza?
I tried using it last weekend and since I had my phone on low battery mode the GPS would not work. Now I had a paper map and a compass, and knew how to use them so I was alright.
When I got back I found that my Droid phone and low power selection does not work well with the app. I did have it in airplane mode.
I have the free version. Is the paid any better?
BTW, thier customer service was great.
I use Avenza all the time. I’m hiking in Vermont a lot at the moment and I really appreciate having good maps published by the trail system maintainers and professional cartographers over the terrible crowdsourced crap that all the other app providers make you swallow. The app does everything I need it to. I use the paid version on an iPhone. As far as I can tell its the same as the free version but only limits the number of maps you can use.
Something I learned the hard way: Carry two cords with you. I was involved in a situation trying to help rescue someone, I had a power brick, but my cord was bad and when my phone died, I couldn’t charge it so that I could stay in contact with others.
That experience also taught me to buy only the top of the line braided cords that can handle tens of thousands of bends without breaking. Of course, if you have one of those, you might not need to carry two cords!
I also bought a high speed wall charger and high speed cord and keep those in my backpack, so that if I’m on a trail and come across a place where I can charge, I can add lots of juice in a short period of time. The high speed cord is top of the line and quite damage resistant. I could probably use it as a tow strap!
I have a SPOT Messenger. Is a Garmin in-reach Mini better? There are no cell towers where I hike/camp in Labrador. I do carry map and compass but if there’s always the possibility of getting hurt. I’m not crazy about the SPOT but it does allow messaging if the satellites are cooperating.
Infinitely better. I used to own a SPOT. Never again. If you have an older Spot without two way messaging, the two way messaging on the mini 2 is much better. They also run over a more reliable satellite network. The newer spot with 2-way messaging is plain awful and has never worked. here’s a review I wrote about it a while back. https://sectionhiker.com/spot-x-2-way-satellite-messenger-review/
Thanks Phil. Just my two cents (and it may be different now), but I’ve found that All Trails drains my iPhone. I switched to Gaia as a result and have not had any battery issues. I still check against my printer topo as we go, in part to make sure I’m truly oriented. Agree with the whole planning question – and checking out multiple resources. Sometimes even published guides miss the mark.
Looked at the options you mentioned but they were all too purpose specific and expensive.
Right now I’m a Beta tester for the T- Mobile Starlink platform. If you can see the sky you are connected.
As of this writing only text is available. Being able to text my wife in the middle of the most God awful places I frequent it’s a complete game changer and will render all those options you mentioned obsolete.
I think once the system goes 100% live it’s 20 bucks per month.
Hopefully it won’t be a ten year locked in plan with a 1000 dollar fee to cancel.
Stay Tuned……
My inreach is $11.95 a month and I can text or email anyone I want with my inReach and have been able to for years.
But as you say, the technology is a moving target. I rather trust my life in a system that’s proven than beta tested.
What if we are hiking to disconnect from family and civilization? Seriously, do we have to have an electronic satellite device hiking solo ? Serious question. How high of a priority is a Garmin In Reach 2 if we have an iPhone 12 ?
That’s up to you. I keep my satellite messenger off most of the time and rarely use it.
MapMyFitness app works well as a daily monitor. Yes, there are limitations, but I live in the UP of Michigan and it’s remoteness is not one of them. Cell service is extensive now, even here8!
You didn’t mention the Satellite SOS feature on certain cellphones (iPhone 14 and up, Google Pixel 9s, Samsung Galaxy S25). How do they rank with the devices you mention? Can I rely on that technology?
The “technology” behind emergency satellite messaging on Smartphones is a moving target. If you want something that works reliably today, get an inReach.
I have an iphone 14 and I still carry an inreach because I know it works, it’s easier to use, it runs over a very reliable satellite network, it has a much longer battery life than my iphone, and because it’s a lot less “fragile” than my iphone, both in terms of durability and application/operating system dependencies.
Apple is building a new satellite network behind their iphone satellite messenging service. Starlink already has one that is being “beta” tested. The network that Garmin inreach runs over is very reliable and in operation today. It also costs me $11.95/month. You have no idea what Apple (or Starlink) will charge you when their services are fully available.
The Garmin inReach is also a lot easier to use than a Smartphone. There’s one panic button on the exterior of the inReach mini. Imagine fumbling with a smartphone with your leg pinned under a boulder, trying to get it to wake up, and then for the phone to go through some inane dialog with you about scheduling an operating system upgrade at night first. You’ll bleed to death before you get to send out an SOS.
There are more reasons…but
$10/mo for carriers using starlink. Down from $15-$20 when initially announced.
I was long one of those troglodytes who decried electronics in the backcountry. Now I’m a solid convert.
I never would have carried a satellite communicator had a friend not asked if I planned on carrying one, and I noticed The Hubs nodding his head enthusiastically and mouthing “please do.” I bought an InReach Explorer+ in 2018. It’s not saved me, but it enabled me to get a message to said spouse when I knew he’d be waiting for me at the trailhead later that day. It was incredibly wet and very cold September in the Washington Cascades that year. I chatted with a thru hiker who couldn’t bear the cold anymore after being wet day after day for days on end. Despite being within spittin’ distance of the Northern Terminus, she’d decided to quit. Initially, I contacted The Hubs and asked him to give her a ride to civilization. Later, it dawned on me that I should have told her about The Mountaineer’s Lodge at Stevens Pass. She could stay there for a few days, dry out, and then decide if she wanted to keep going or if it was really time to head home. So I sent him another message.
A few weeks later, I noticed she’d left a note about the lodge & praised the services it offered. I’m really hopeful she continued on. Even if I never use the SOS button, it’s worth carrying the InReach just because of that one day.
Having said that, if I was in the market today I’d go with the mini 2. It seems to have all the advantages of the Explorer at much less weight.
I converted to the mini2 also. Like you, I’ve found it very helpful when you HAVE to get a message out, like an email, even if it’s not an emergency.
I was going to covert from a Spot Gen 3 to a mini but then I discovered that my iPhone reliably sends s messages via satellite. I still carry the Spot for check in and SOS.
Don’t count on the belt clip for the InReach. Was getting into my friends car at yhe park and ride, had it clipped to my front pant pocket. A few miles down yhe road realized I didn’t have it. Turned around at the next exit. As we pulled in heard a thump-he ran over it!! Ah well, got out and picked it up. Had a few scratches, turned it on, still working a year later. Try that with your phone.
I use a carabiner. Lost my first mini2.
I bought a Messenger to replace my old Explorer because I liked the reverse charging capability and battery life, and was of the understanding that the flat antenna being in a backpack brain would have somewhat better coverage.
After noticing that the Mini 2 was ubiquitous on the AT, I took the Messenger back to REI and swapped it for Mini 2. I figured that since so many knew how to use them, if I was found incapacitated, they could easily call for a rescue from my device. If I had a Messenger in the brain on my backpack, they might not even know it was there.