# HikeSim — A workout app with photos

> Workout tracker with simulated hikes and user-created photo hike features. (iPhone/iPad app by Al GROSS.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hikesim/id1572755506 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Al GROSS](https://appshunter.io/developer/986125943)
- Category: Health & Fitness, Travel
- Price: Free (on sale, was $0.99)
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 114 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-09-20
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hikesim/id1572755506/reviews.md

## What is HikeSim?

Overview of HikeSim
HikeSim is a cross-platform health and fitness application that transforms everyday exercise routines (such as neighborhood walks, runs, cycling, or indoor treadmill sessions) into an immersive visual journey through national parks, state parks, and local trails. As you move in the real world, the application advances a synchronized sequence of scenic trail photos and metadata, keeping you motivated and connected to nature.

Key Features
Virtual Trail Simulations: Take virtual hikes across famous locations—such as the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Petrified Forest, Lassen Peak, Capitol Reef, Joshua Tree, and local preserves.

Real vs. Simulated Modes:

Simulated Hikes: Distance, photos, elevation charts, and GPS checkpoints are driven programmatically by pre-recorded trail photo datasets at a selected pace.

Real Hikes: Uses real-world GPS hardware, live telemetry, and actual device sensors to track your real-world path, altitude changes, and pace.

Interactive Trail Maps & Elevation Profiles: Real-time map rendering tracks your position via custom green hiker annotations, alongside interactive elevation charts featuring live vertical progress indicators and altitude bounds.

Custom Hike Maker (iOS): Turn your own outdoor walks into shareable HikeSim Photo Hikes by utilizing your phone's camera and location services to record geographic data, photos, and altitude profiles for upload.

Voice Narration Support: Built-in audio capabilities can read trail notes and photo checkpoints aloud as you progress.

Health & Fitness Integration
Apple Health / HealthKit Integration: Seamlessly syncs workout metrics and telemetry directly to the iOS Health and Fitness ecosystem.

Tracked Metrics: Captures and displays heart rate, active calories burned, total distance traveled, exercise duration, current pace, and Apple Activity Rings progress.

Post-Workout Summaries: Comprehensive breakdown screens present total duration, distance, steps, pace, and net elevation gain/loss upon finishing a workout.

Standalone Capabilities (Phone & Apple Watch)
Both the iPhone and Apple Watch apps are fully capable of operating independently:

Apple Watch App (Standalone):

Operates with complete functionality regardless of iPhone proximity or cellular/internet connectivity.

Features dedicated workout selections (walking, running, cycling).

Displays real-time metrics, media playback controls, a live GPS coordinate screen, and dual-line altitude/heart rate graphs directly on your wrist.

iPhone App (Standalone):

Allows you to launch active workouts directly on your phone/tablet.

Provides a larger interface for viewing high-resolution photo galleries, interacting with trail maps, reading detailed trail notes, and recording custom photo hikes out in the field.

## Key features

- Simulated hikes on Apple Watch
- Real-time workout metrics
- Hike photos based on distance
- Create and upload photo hikes
- Offline functionality
- HealthKit integration


## Frequently asked questions about HikeSim

### What devices does HikeSim support?

HikeSim is available on Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad, offering a seamless experience across your Apple devices for tracking and creating hikes.

### Does HikeSim require an internet connection?

The Apple Watch workout app has full functionality regardless of internet connectivity, utilizing the built-in GPS for location and altitude data.

### How does HikeSim use my health data?

HikeSim interfaces with HealthKit and the Health app to collect and display metrics such as heart rate, distance traveled, calories burned, and exercise time.

### Can I create my own hikes in HikeSim?

Yes, the iOS part of HikeSim allows you to create your own photo hikes by recording your location and altitude during a hike, which can then be uploaded to HikeSim.com.

### What kind of workouts can I do with HikeSim?

The Apple Watch workout app features walking, running, and cycling workouts, displaying real-time metrics and hike photos as you progress.

### How often is HikeSim updated?

The latest version of HikeSim is 2.2, which was last updated on December 27, 2025. Updates typically include new simulated hikes and feature enhancements.

### Is HikeSim suitable for all ages?

HikeSim has an age rating of 4+, indicating it is suitable for children and adults. The app's use is completely anonymous.

### Does HikeSim have ads?

No, HikeSim is ad-free, providing an uninterrupted experience for tracking your workouts and exploring simulated hikes.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2026-08-27

Bug fixes and modified the way photos are packaged when creating a hike.

### 3.0 — 2026-08-22

Added automatic hike creation and import.
Ability to perform a hike with just the phone.
Link to HikeSim.com server to download prescreened hikes generated by the user community.
Trail simulators for the Apple Watch and iOS devices providing to the user the ability to preview hikes.

### 2.2 — 2025-12-27

New build to set App Ratings.

### 2.1 — 2025-08-05

Changed the order of screen displays on the watch app. The photo screen is now the primary screen and now shows the hike photos  full screen. Also, an additional screen added to the watch that shows graphs of your current heart rate and altitude.  Release 2.0 (released recently) also included the capability to display your hikes on the iPhone app as well as allowing you to create your own hike for possible inclusion in a future HikeSim release.

### 2.0 — 2025-07-31

Added capability to display your workouta in the HikeSim iPhone app. Re-arraranged opening page to group like items.

## Apps similar to HikeSim

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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## More apps by Al GROSS

- [WikiPal USA](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wikipal-usa/id1023010041)
- [WikiPal Canada](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wikipal-canada/id1023256252)
- [WikiPal Oceania](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wikipal-oceania/id1023272755)
- [QuickMap World](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quickmap-world/id1195370439)
- [AR Earth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ar-earth/id1199779456)
- [USA Historic Places](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/usa-historic-places/id1353117753)

All apps by Al GROSS: https://appshunter.io/developer/986125943

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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 2026-08-30.*
