Advertisement
Travel news and advice
LifestyleTravel & Leisure

18 apps for outdoor adventures, nature lovers and hiking trips – just don’t forget a spare phone battery

From AI photo software that will identify the creature you just saw to portable survival guides that could prove vital in a pinch, these apps will make you a master of the great outdoors in no time

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
The Gaia GPS app provides access to topographical, satellite, road and hiking maps, together with statistics on distance, elevation and pace.
Jamie Carter

Hiking boots? Check. Waterproofs? Check. A basic knowledge of flora and fauna and some idea of how to survive in the wild? Hmmm.

If you lack an understanding of all things outdoors and it is holding you back from planning exciting day trips and mini adventures, fret no more. These smartphone apps – free and available for both iOS and Android phones, unless otherwise stated – are here to help.

Apps for birdwatching and wildlife-spotting

Advertisement

If you’re heading to the countryside to spot birds, there are lots of apps that can replace a heavy guidebook.

The eBird and BirdsEye apps give you a list of birds recently spotted in your area, and at specific locations nearby. You can log your own sightings for yourself and for others. There are similar apps for the rest of the animal kingdom.

Three best travel journal apps for logging trips and sharing your adventures

iNaturalist is a community-based app where members identify photos of animals and plants uploaded by other users. The app uses artificial intelligence to provide identification suggestions.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x