# Big Hike — Essential Hiking Companion

> Offline trail maps and real-time GPS tracking for hikers. (iPhone/iPad app by Harry Netzer.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-hike/id1176209283 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Harry Netzer](https://appshunter.io/developer/1157107705)
- Category: Travel, Navigation
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 29 App Store ratings · 15 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 54 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-05-25
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-hike/id1176209283/reviews.md

## What is Big Hike?

Big Hike is the essential tool for Appalachian Trail hikers. With 6000 miles of trail data in Appalachia and beyond, Big Hike locates you in real time with meter accuracy. Don't worry about cell service, Big Hike works offline. Big Hike also allows you to leave public comments, which sync with the website http://www.bighike.net/ giving you a record for friends and family to follow along.

Big Hike provides data on the following trails, free to download: the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail (Vermont), Long Path (New York), C&O Canal Towpath (Maryland), Benton MacKaye, Art Loeb and Pinhoti Trails (North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama), Condor Trail (California), and many other trails in the Smokies, Catskills, Shenandoah National Park, the White Mountains (New Hampshire), and Baxter State Park (Maine).

## Key features

- Offline trail maps
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Extensive trail data
- Public comment system
- Syncs with website

## Recent user reviews (10 of 15)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/big-hike/id1176209283/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Matt - AT Maintainer

*2023-06-02*

We use this app while working on the AT. Wirjs wonderful for us. When we find something we need to tell someone else about, we take pic of map and send to proper person. Resolves the ‘where is it’ problem. Developer is a thru hiker and was a ridgerunner so tight with the AT

### 1/5 — Abandoned?

*2022-05-20*

Website and backend of this app isn’t working. Had high hopes!

### 5/5 — Using for years now

*2019-09-28*

Great app not bloated with useless features.  Nor in app purchases

**Developer response:** Thanks for the great review, LaVinci. We strive to keep Big Hike simple and useful. Happy trails.

### 1/5 — Hoping for better.

*2019-08-26*

I downloaded V0.0.14 to an iPhone 6s running iOS 12.4. The app easily locates me on a map and provides GPS coordinates but I can’t log in using google, can’t download maps (it says none are available even when standing right on the trail in the White Mtn NF) and get nothing searching for north or south waypoints. I had hoped for better or something more intuitive. Instructions are sparse.

**Developer response:** Hi sundude, sorry the app didn’t work for you. It’s possible we were experiencing an outage which prevented you from logging in and downloading the White Mountains. Sometimes the initial log-in takes a long time, like 10-15 seconds. In any case, you’re correct that instructions need to be clearer. Call me at 914 907 7740 and I can try to solve the issue.

### 5/5 — Sick map

*2019-06-10*

This map is really great, best I've found for looking getting a picture of the whole trail.

### 5/5 — Best hiking app!

*2019-06-06*

This app has been so helpful on the trail! I’m so glad I found it!

### 5/5 — Loves it!

*2019-05-18*

This is my favorite app on my planet! Its been v useful on the AT and its super cool how my comments sync with the website. I’ve been recommending it to everyone along the trail, it’s less well known but def deserves to be more popular.

### 5/5 — Great detail & accurate

*2019-04-10*

I hike on the AT pretty often and I’ve been extremely impressed with the accuracy of Big Hike. Pretty much every waypoint and side trail in my area is in the app, which has allowed me to explore some places I wouldn’t have known about. The ability to add comments is also a big plus. I’m glad the developer has been keeping the information up to date.

### 5/5 — Great app that works offline

*2019-01-23*

I’ve been using this app on the AT in 2019 and it’s been great. The map lets you see both the details and the broad overview. Waypoints have been accurate and best of all it works offline. I keep my phone in airplane mode, so this was crucial. I’m still not sure if I’m going to shell out for guthook or maybe just get the AT Guide to cross reference. Seems like Big Hike has almost everything I need to know.

### 5/5 — I have both

*2018-07-24*

I have this app and Guthook. This one has less information and fewer features, but it works great, and is easy to use. It probably is too little info for a thru hiker, but paired with a guidebook it could be. For day hikers and section hikers it’s more that enough. Did I mention it’s free?

## Frequently asked questions about Big Hike

### Does Big Hike have ads?

No, Big Hike is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted hiking experience.

### What trails are included in Big Hike?

Big Hike includes data for over 6000 miles of trails, such as the Appalachian Trail, Long Trail, Long Path, C&O Canal Towpath, Benton MacKaye, Art Loeb, Pinhoti, and Condor Trails, along with many others in popular hiking regions.

### How accurate is Big Hike's location tracking?

Big Hike provides meter-accurate real-time location tracking, ensuring precise positioning even in remote areas.

### Can I use Big Hike without cell service?

Yes, Big Hike is designed to work offline, making it ideal for areas with no cell reception.

### How can friends and family follow my hike with Big Hike?

You can leave public comments within Big Hike that sync with its website (http://www.bighike.net/), allowing your loved ones to track your progress.

### What devices support Big Hike?

Big Hike is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is Big Hike updated?

The latest version of Big Hike is 2.0.2, and it was last updated on January 7, 2023.

### What is the age rating for Big Hike?

Big Hike has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0.2 — 2023-01-07

Bug fixes and improvements.

### 2.0.1 — 2022-12-29

Stability improvements.

### 2.0.0 — 2022-12-12

Bug fixes and improvements

### 1.2.2 — 2021-03-06

Fixes a bug downloading trails when GPS is on.

### 1.2.1 — 2021-01-18

Stability improvements when downloading trails while viewing the elevation profile.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*