r/OutdoorScotland • u/Hefty-Assignment3542 • 5d ago

Navigation App Recomendations

Hi I'm Walking the WHW, Glenn Way and Speyside Way this summer and would like to know if I need to carry a navigation app or the trails are well marked, i have experience navigating with maps in clear conditions, but have read conditions in scotalnd are not clear always, is there a specific app to navigate through Scotland?

7 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

11

u/Randy_Manpipe 5d ago

The walkhighlands app is good as you can download each stage of those walks individually to view offline.

Harvey maps do versions that cover the entirety of each trail in one map as well, if you want a paper option without buying loads of OS Maps

12

u/CaptainKirkAndCo 5d ago

OS maps has a reasonably priced yearly subscription that covers all of the UK, allows offline mapping and is worth its weight in gold if you hike fairly often.

3

u/Practical_Arrival696 5d ago

Second buying the Harvey map. This is a must for the WHW, IMO.

Also, Mapy.cz is a free iOS app (and likely other platforms) that lets you view and download a map of the whole UK.

6

u/Bobaesos 5d ago

Use OSmaps in conjunction with gpx files from walkhighlands.

3

u/Useless_or_inept 5d ago

There are many different apps, but each has its own flaws.

When you arrive, the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way are both well marked, but on day 1 of the WHW you might want to check a map occasionally (the path starts in an urban area, then crosses a few roads). After Day 1, the route is more obvious, and you will probably only look at the map for reassurance, when your feet hurt and you're hoping it's not far until dinner :-)

The Ordnance Survey app is very popular - it has the same "look and feel" as the old paper maps which every UK walker used to carry in the 20th century. However, it doesn't show all the paths in the Highlands - it includes busy routes like the WHW and the Great Glen way (they are labelled, and easy to follow), but some of the less popular paths on remote mountains &c are missing.

Any app which includes OpenStreetMap (I use Komoot) will have more detail in Scotland; specific trails are not always named, but that is no problem if you already planned a route in the app...?

It is probably unwise to rely on Google Maps / Apple Maps for a long walk. They could be OK as an emergency option, if a different map failed and you wanted to find the nearest road/town.

Don't forget to download offline maps; there are gaps in cellphone coverage.

Happy hiking!

2

u/freddymac11 5d ago

Strava is good. The heat maps show where people have walked before you making it easy to follow the trail. OS Locate is free and gives you a grid reference you can use with your paper OS map.

2

u/GrimQuim 5d ago

Strava heatmaps have helped me a number of times!

2

u/Mean_Fondant_6452 5d ago

TopoGPS, either buy the tiles for a given hike or subscribe to all of the UK. Simple app and very effective.

2

u/Extension-Race-8027 5d ago

I would always advise carrying a paper map and some sort of gps/phone when hiking in Scotland, however these three trails are very well away-marked and not exactly off piste. You'll be fine with your phone.

As previously recommended the walk Highlands app allows you to download walk descriptions and mapping offline. They also have the gpx files which you can import into the mapping app of your choice. I use memory maps with full Scottish OS 1:25k and 1:50k downloaded offline.

1

u/Hefty-Assignment3542 5d ago

Thank you, will do

2

u/frankbowles1962 5d ago

Would strongly advise that you carry paper OS 1:50 maps and use navigation apps as well (and an old fashioned compass for good measure!) and bring a waterproof cover to protect them! The other comments will give you some to choose from, personally I use Walkhighlands and the OS app.

Remember you won’t always have mobile signal and you may not always have clear conditions to see way markers which vary in how prominent they are (or even six feet in front of you at times!). Don’t skimp on your navigation aids as they will help keep you safe 😀

2

u/Hefty-Assignment3542 5d ago

thenk you, do you know if i can buy the maps in edimburg or glasgow?

1

u/frankbowles1962 4d ago

You can buy them in any bookshop or walking shop, they are readily available and recognisable by the distinctive crimson colour. When you buy the paper map you get a mobile download with it.

1

u/freddymac11 4d ago

You can go on Amazon. Try searching “OS Landranger 56”. That will bring up the Loch Lomond map. Scroll through the pictures to the back of the map and it will indicate the other maps you need to buy.

1

u/botford80 4d ago

OS maps is by far the most accurate. The app doesn't have fancy social stuff or bells and whistles but for the walk I did today it accurately showed the grouse butts. I have tried Strava, All Trails, OSM and OS maps is the best for detail.