# Walk the World: Virtual Trails — user reviews > 36 indexed App Store user reviews of Walk the World by Impending, rated 4.40/5 from 195 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/walk-the-world-virtual-trails/id6743502929/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/walk-the-world-virtual-trails/id6743502929.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 154 · 4★ 11 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 15 ## What do users think of Walk the World? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Enjoyable progress bar interactions - 🎨 Nice art and design **Cons** - 💰 Removing free features behind paywall - 🤔 Sudden switch to subscription model - 🚫 Unable to access subscription options **Commonly reported bugs** - Subscription button not functioning **Most requested features** - Retain ability to unlock new content through steps - Offer more affordable subscription options ## Newest reviews (15 of 36) ### 3/5 — Fun app; needs more trails *2026-05-07* Great app, just wish you didn’t have to pay for a membership to do majority of the trails. Especially for the country you live in, those could be free. ### 2/5 — Progress Gone *2026-03-22* Redownloaded the app recently. Turns out all my previous progress is gone. Maybe that’s because I had done routes on Version 1 that are now Member Only? Either way, sucks to have all your progress gone. Cool idea and very well designed. I personally don’t get enough value to support a subscription for this type of app but others might. Check out Walk the Distance if you want a similar app that is free. ### 2/5 — Start Over *2026-03-11* I’ve really enjoyed the app and have even paid for it, but having to start over with an empty passport after months of use because I got a new phone was so extremely demotivating. I reached out to customer support and they weren’t of any help. This could be a great app if it wasn’t so glitchy and had so many syncing issues. Not sure I’ll continue using it. ### 2/5 — Much Too Expensive *2025-11-26* I love it but I think $1.99 per week or $49.99 per year is just outlandish for what it is… Should be $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year. ### 2/5 — Good App. But the Pricing is ridiculous *2025-11-20* The app looks great and the concept is fun — no complaints there. But charging ₹4,999 a year for virtual trails is unrealistic. Only 3 maps are free, and literally everything else is locked behind a paywall or “members only.” It’s not real trekking, it’s just a virtual walking overlay. For something that’s supposed to be fun and motivational, the cost is way too high. Unless the pricing becomes reasonable or more maps are opened up, it’s hard to justify using this long-term. ### 3/5 — Great concept, poor execution *2025-11-02, version 1.2.3* I’ve wanted an app like this for ages — something that lets me “walk” famous trails virtually. The idea is brilliant: for example, I can do the Camino, and every real-life kilometer I walk moves me a kilometer along the virtual route. However, the experience doesn’t live up to its potential. You have to manually add your steps or distance, instead of choosing your trail and having the app automatically track your progress. It would be much better if it followed along with you in real time. The biggest issue, though, is the lack of visibility and feedback. I subscribed for a month to do the Camino, but I can’t zoom in or out on the map, so I have no real idea where I am on the trail. It tells me how many steps are left but not how many I’ve done, which makes it hard to stay motivated. There’s not even one photo per stage, and the stages aren’t clearly broken up — so I could be walking 70 km before reaching the next checkpoint. Also, most of the walks are extremely short (around 5,000–6,000 steps). Since most people already walk that much in a day, it doesn’t feel realistic or satisfying. People who enjoy walking would probably want longer, more meaningful routes that match the real-world distances. It’s a wonderful idea, but at $7.99 AUD a month, the app needs more polish — better maps, zooming, automatic tracking, realistic distances, and a clearer sense of progress. Right now it just feels unfinished, which is a shame because it could be something really special. ### 3/5 — Too expensive *2025-10-25, version 1.2.2* Started off well, unlock areas with steps. After updating it now all behind paywall. I know developers need to eat but think of your users whom have numerous subscriptions going! Cause all developers want their pound of flesh. $8 AUD per month is just too much for an app like this! ### 2/5 — Used to be sort of cool *2025-10-13* Went to a subscription model that is insanely priced for what this is. $2 per week or $5 per month to tell you the equivalent distance you walked at some other location, and show a few pictures. Will be deleting. ### 2/5 — Out of focus monetization *2025-10-06, version 1.1.1* I'm okay with monetization, but I think the recent remodel is out of focus. If I have to pay to enter my walks, to earn badge and have nobody to show off/share to, then what's the point. ### 1/5 — I liked it until they ask for money *2025-10-01, version 1.1* Scam! That’s not nice first you guys saying it’s free then you can choose if 25k steps or pay and now you want money per week nope going to delete this app ### 1/5 — Pay $99 a month for 3 star $10000 for lifetime 5 star *2025-10-01, version 1.1* lol are you serious? A subscription for what? What is actually being offered here. Concept was great but this whole money grab is getting out of hand. Please pay ### 1/5 — Can’t use steps to use trips *2025-09-30* the app switched to a subscription model! :( and nothing happens when you press the “Members Only: Join Now” button so you can’t even see how much it costs to subscribe. I was specifically saving up to unlock the Euro Trip for 50,000 steps after previously paying $4.99 for another trip to reward the developer for the refined polish of this fun—yet very simple—app. ### 2/5 — Can't join *2025-09-30* Tapping on "Members Only: Join Now" button does nothing. ### 1/5 — Nice idea but fails *2025-09-30, version 1.1* I’m being harsh but equally am furious that the recent upgrade to cap limit stole over 170k steps without notice. I was considering supporting in the hope that the ‘reward’ and interest would get better than some Wikipedia links. ### 1/5 — suddenly includes tracking *2025-09-19* yeah no thanks, i don’t know what you want to market to me but i hate the new tracking stuff from facebook. i guess im done with this app. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Not free *2026-07-23* You have to download it before you realize it’s not free. That’s deceptive. If you are going to make people pay for your app make it cost something when you download. ### 1/5 — Scam *2026-05-05* The worst app, do not buy ### 1/5 — Move the advertisement out-of-the-way *2026-04-05, version 1.3.10* The thing that asks me to choose how to pay is not getting out of the way, I don’t wanna have to pay for the app, I tried to find the X to get rid of it so I could do the free version and it won’t go away ### 1/5 — Need a paid membership *2026-03-08, version 1.3* You used to be able to spend your steps to get new locations. You now have to be a paid member to get any new locations. It’s definitely not worth $70/year to see a few pictures of locations around the world. Deleted the app. ### 1/5 — Pricing is very High *2026-02-20* Pricing is very High, the should include ads or the pricing should be less ### 1/5 — Not the Right App for a Subscription *2025-11-08* After seeing the new update locking even more features behind a subscription, I’m done. This app was fun and I was fine paying $5 to unlock a pack one at a time. This is not the type of all that should be a subscription. I understand developers need to make money, but this is a perfect example of an app where in-app purchases make sense. The fact that things that were previously free or unlockable with a one-time purchase are now subscription only seeks to burn the user base which ironically will result in lost revenue. ### 1/5 — Removing feature for paywall *2025-10-04* Beautiful app but removing features behind a paywall is the wrong move. 50k steps or even 100k steps to unlock new packs was a great motivator, why not continue in that vein? **Developer response:** Hi, we were hopeful with the 'free to play' idea but unfortunately it was too popular. (App was not making money to pay for continued content and development.) I apologize about the change, in hindsight we were too naive with the launch business model. If you reach out to help@impending.com we will try to make this right. ### 1/5 — Added subscription model, just sad *2025-10-02* As someone who can't afford to pay for a coach or a gym membership, this app was a perfect alternative where it motivated me to move and spend my steps and feeling satisfying to do so. I've been with mental stuff due to life circumstances, so motivation is hard, but the sense of accomplishment of completing an area felt so rewarding. Originally, new sections to spend steps on were unlockable through having a required amount of steps. Now, you need to pay a subscription to access them. Offering even a weekly payment option is wild to me. This is extremely disappointing and I never expected the app to turn towards this type of pricing model. I even contacted customer support if there was any way as an early user of the app to have full access, at the very least, and never got a reply despite my email being read (I use a client that notifies me when my emails are read). It's clear they're most likely aware of the hate they'd receive after making it into a subscription and are just trying to ignore how upset people are about it. Judging by other reviews, it's definitely not just me. I understand needing something to help sustain the app and maintaining it, but locking most of it behind a paywall is ridiculous. It doesn't help that I never saw a hint of it turning into a subscription model. I was given the idea this app will remain free. This is just sudden and not what I signed up for. I also don't want to hear a whole spiel about there still being free content. Yes, I'm aware, but someone who either plans on using it long-term or generally walks/runs a bunch is gonna finish the free section. I feel like there's better ways to help aid in maintaining an app, but a straight up subscription model isn't it, at least not for this. I thought I found a gem, but yet another helpful and great app got ruined by requiring a subscription if you wanted to do more. Will be sadly uninstalling. Honestly a shame, it was a nice run while it lasted, pun intended. ### 1/5 — Great app bad pricing model *2025-10-01* I like the app and thought paying $2 to unlock other maps was a great idea. However, the new model of $60 a year (which is apparently a discounted rate?!) is a non-starter. If you want to go subscription I think $10 a year is the most you can charge for an app like this. Strava is $80 a year and that’s a full on workout app. Def need some price tuning here. ### 1/5 — Subscription *2025-10-01* This app used to be great, but moving core features behind a subscription was the wrong choice. Taking away unlockables that were previously available and replacing them with an expensive paywall feels unfair. A subscription should add value, like extra cosmetics, exclusive perks, or convenience, not block the entire experience. Expecting users to pay weekly just to access basic content isn’t a service, it’s locking away what made the app enjoyable in the first place. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — They’ve really upgraded the walks *2026-07-17* I enjoy logging my steps. Looking forward to more walks continually being added, especially the long ones! ### 5/5 — Olivia *2026-05-11* Olivia ### 5/5 — I love it but really?! *2025-11-08* A pay wall wirh only limited?! Really… ### 5/5 — Such fun *2025-09-02, version 1.0.1* This is such a sweet little app. I love it especially when it prompts me to walk around one of the walks. Hilarious. ### 5/5 — Very motivating *2025-09-02* I never leave reviews, but this app is really something. Simple yet rewarding. You really want to walk in real life to get your rewards. It would be nice to also offer real life awards (with a cost) to show off. 🙂. ### 5/5 — Daily User *2025-08-26* Having so much fun with this app! Can’t wait to spend my steps at the end of each day. So rewarding! ### 4/5 — Latest update *2026-05-21, version 1.3.20* Update: Thanks for listening. I can now walk the trails in any order which is how it should be. It's frankly insane that you changed it to a fixed order before, which rather defeated the whole point of the app. I've given you an extra star. I'd give 5 stars if there were more countries to collect - there are about 195 altogether, you know! When I downloaded this app last week, I was able to choose any route and walk it at my own pace. Now, suddenly, I'm forced to do all the walks in a set order which just ruins the app. Now you cat start with the easy walks and walk up to longer ones (important if recovering from a heart condition, for example) - you finish a 3000 step walk and suddenly it expects you to do a 65000 step walk. Why? Just put it back to how it was and let me choose the order I do the walks ### 4/5 — Neat while it lasted *2025-10-08* I enjoyed making the progress bars move even though I wasn’t really at any of these places in person. I didn’t make it through many of the locations before it went paid but more than enough to get the idea. The art and design are nicely done. ### 4/5 — Needs something else *2025-09-18, version 1.0.3* I like it! Really nice developing, great graphics, smooth. I like steps as a currency. But I feel like the reward structure is missing something that prevents me from coming back to it daily. Maybe incorporate a daily goal or two or something like that? Show some statistics on trails, daily steps, personalized user map of where around the world they (virtually) walked? Also, when spending steps in a trail, it would be nice to make the pictures pop up larger on the screen. Most people get a lot of steps daily, which means multiple trails a day, which adds up to a lot of time just holding the ‘spend step button’ with a map and yellow line as tiny photos pop up. More engagement with the actual trail would be nice. Love the concept & will keep on the app! ### 4/5 — Good app *2025-09-14* Keeps making me connect in the settings in my phone to track steps. Other than that it’s pretty cool --- *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 2026-08-29.*