# HikeTracker — Accuracy & Simplicity

> Accurate and simple GPS tracker for hiking, walking, and cycling. (iPhone/iPad app by Alan Heezen.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiketracker/id1567996400 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Alan Heezen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1567996402)
- Category: Navigation, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 5 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2021-05-29
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiketracker/id1567996400/reviews.md

## What is HikeTracker?

Why another tracking app?

ACCURACY - GPS receivers, including smartphones, can record locations every second but have inherent and unavoidable errors that are small compared to the distance traveled in that second by an automobile, airplane or cruise missile but are large enough to overwhelm the data when used in human-powered activities like
	•	Hiking
	•	Walking 
	•	Running and Cycling
This is especially true In situations where the GPS satellite signals can be compromised by things that block or absorb microwaves:
	•	Hills and mountains
	•	Heavy tree cover
	•	Rain and clouds

SIMPLICITY - Most apps have a lot of features that may be very useful for some folks but they often make the user hunt for the simple stuff. Also I have occasionally lost all my data when I accidentally touched the wrong thing on a busy and complicated screen 

HikeTracker was designed with Accuracy and Simplicity in mind to support hiking in the mountains of the beautiful Pacific Northwest but it works just as well for less challenging activities like walking and biking around town. It uses several strategies to combine and curate the raw GPS data, filtering out some of the inherent errors and saving only enough points to get a smooth and accurate picture of the user’s track and accurate distance measurements.

But all that fancy-schmancy stuff is kept out of sight - to use it you just:
	•	Open HikeTracker
	•	Press “Start”
	•	Go

What it does
	•	Makes an accurate GPS-based track of your activity
	•	Shows accurate distance traveled and elevation gained
	•	Saves that info in a standard GPX (GPS file exchange format) file that can be saved and/or shared with other apps and programs

What it lacks
	•	No social media
	•	No ads
	•	No in-app purchases
	•	No saving or sharing of personal data
	•	iPhone only
	•	Currently lacks support for languages other than English

## Key features

- Accurate GPS tracking
- Simple user interface
- Records distance and elevation
- Saves data in GPX format
- No social media integration
- No ads or in-app purchases

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hiketracker/id1567996400/reviews.md

### 5/5 — BROKEN

*2025-11-06*

I have been using this app for a long time on an iPhone 13. Now I have a new iPhone 17 pro and the app just crashes on opening. Can’t get it to work anymore. I love this app and used it everyday. Please update this app so it works again. Thank you

### 5/5 — Simple. Free. Fantastic.

*2025-03-24*

This app rules. It does exactly what it says it will, it does it VERY well, and it asks literally nothing of you. No in app purchases, no harassment for reviews. This app reminds me of the golden age of apps when the iPhone was new and everyone wasn’t just trying to figure out how much money they could take from you! Thank you for creating the exact app I’ve been looking for!

### 5/5 — Just what I need

*2023-07-17*

I really like this app. When Trails disappeared earlier this year I tried a few different apps. Most did more than I need and often link to a variety of services I don't want. 
HikeTracker records a walk, gives some stats and lets me get the GPS for tagging photos and other projects. Doesn't kill the battery on my Xs either.

### 5/5 — Simple and Accurate

*2022-09-11*

I’ve been using HikeTracker since it was in beta test phase.  It has been simple to use since the beginning and refinements in its elevation gain algorithm here made it the most accurate I have come across.  Still could use improvement in its map loading function, but all in all a very useful tool for backcountry navigation.  Best of all, it’s FREE!

## Frequently asked questions about HikeTracker

### What is HikeTracker?

HikeTracker is a navigation app designed for accurate GPS tracking of outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and cycling. It prioritizes simplicity to provide a smooth user experience for recording routes and distance.

### Is HikeTracker free to use?

Yes, HikeTracker is completely free to download and use. It does not have any in-app purchases or advertisements, offering a pure tracking experience.

### What devices does HikeTracker support?

HikeTracker is currently only available for Apple devices, specifically the iPhone and iPod. It is not compatible with Android smartphones or tablets.

### How accurate is HikeTracker's GPS tracking?

HikeTracker employs strategies to combine and curate raw GPS data, filtering out inherent errors to provide smooth and accurate track recordings and distance measurements, even in challenging conditions like hills or heavy tree cover.

### Can I share my tracked routes with others using HikeTracker?

Yes, HikeTracker saves your activity data in a standard GPX file format. This allows you to easily save and share your tracks with other compatible apps and programs.

### Does HikeTracker have social media features?

No, HikeTracker is intentionally designed without social media integration. It focuses solely on providing accurate and private activity tracking for the user.

### How often is HikeTracker updated?

The latest version of HikeTracker is 2.3.5, last updated on January 16, 2026. Updates aim to maintain accuracy and simplicity for users.

### What is the age rating for HikeTracker?

HikeTracker has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for users of all ages. Its simple interface is designed for ease of use.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.5 — 2026-01-16

This version supports iOS 26

### 2.3.1 — 2026-01-06

This (2.3.1) ia a second attempt to recover from iOS 26. (For techies: In development on Xcode, the Debug version works but the Release version does not. This should NEVER happen and only Apple could fix it. I tried to release the Debug version but Apple chose to release the bad version.) The only known remaining problem is that only the Apple Mapkit maps display properly. For the time being, you can select Apple Mapkit on the Preferences page.

### 2.3 — 2026-01-06

Very little. Apple threw me a couple of curve balls, make that knuckle balls, with the advent of iOS 26. I had planned some new features but I had to scrap them to spackle over Apple's new stuff. In the course of this agony, I did clean up some minor issues so I hope this version is even more stable than the last. Sorry for the inconvenience to early adopters for iOS 26.

### 2.2 — 2022-05-25

Version 2.2
	•	Greatly improved handling of elevation gain & loss, using the barometric sensor to tamp down the erratic character of the GPS altitude readings
	•	When Importing a track from a GPX file, the map now centers on the imported track automatically
	•	Imported segments are pseudorandomly colored

### 2.1 — 2022-02-01

Version 2.1 - No new features but redesigned internally for greater stability
Versoion 2
+ Now uses "data persistence" - you won't lose a track accidentally
+ Can preload maps for use offline - tap "Current cache size" in Preferences to get started
+ Improves handling of elevation gain and loss calculations
+ Improves waypoint facility
+ The X button on the Map Scene has changed to a bullseye ◎ and has added functions
+ Changed the "Settings" button to "Preferences" to reduce confusion with Settings app
+ Considerable improvements in stability and data persistence
+ A whole lot of little tweaks and fixes

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## Related topics

[hiking tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hiking-tracker)

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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 2026-06-01.*
