Gaia GPS review

Gaia GPS is a long-standing choice for backpackers who want to pick their own maps. The free app records, tracks and navigates. Premium, $59.90 a year on the US App Store after a 14-day trial, opens more than 300 layers, including Gaia's own Hike and Overland maps, cell coverage, private land, weather, slope and wildfire, and it lets you download any of them for offline use. You can create routes on satellite, private land, hike and overland maps, add waypoints with photos and follow your track with real-time stats, and routes show on Apple CarPlay for the drive to the trailhead. The Outside+ bundle adds Trailforks Pro, MapMyFitness MVP, Outside TV and Backpacker magazine. The tradeoffs are price, at roughly twice AllTrails Plus, the need for an Outside account, and a layer menu that rewards experience. Hikers who want a trail picked for them will find AllTrails easier.

Who it is for

Backpackers and overlanders who want many map layers, such as NatGeo Trails Illustrated, and planning on the web.

Price

Free version for recording, tracking and navigation; Gaia GPS Premium $59.90 a year on the US App Store (about $4.99 per month); 14-day free trial.

Gaia GPS Premium $59.90
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• 300+ map layers, including cell coverage, private land, weather and terrain
• Exclusive Gaia Hike and Gaia Overland activity maps
• Offline map downloads with GPS tracking away from cell service
• Route creation on satellite, private land, hike and overland maps
• Weather, slope and wildfire layers for planning

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The widest set of map layers among general hiking apps
• Strength: Routes, tracks and waypoints display on Apple CarPlay for trailhead drives
• Strength: Outside+ bundle adds Trailforks Pro and Backpacker magazine
• Weakness: Premium costs $59.90 a year, about double AllTrails Plus
• Weakness: Requires an Outside account to use the app
• Weakness: The layer menu takes time to learn

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, record, track and follow routes
• Premium: $59.90/yr
• Map layers: 300+
• Free trial: 14 days
• Bundle: Outside+ adds Trailforks Pro

Where it ranks

Gaia GPS is No. 4 in our Best Hiking Apps verdict.