Choosing the right mapping tool can feel like navigating a maze. I have spent a lot of time trying to find my way and have realised that there is no one size fits all solution! This post dives into my personal arsenal of trail running mapping tools, highlighting their strengths and quirks. From nimble route planners like onthegomap to the 3D grandeur of FATmap, we’ll explore options for both casual runs and epic backcountry adventures.
Selection Criteria
There is no one perfect mapping solution. Instead I find that using a combination of products is the best way to get the information I need. Some of the solutions I am going to list are better for planning than navigation and vice versa. Below are the main criteria I look for when searching for mapping software:
- Functionality
- Navigation: Turn by turn directions can be handy sometimes
- Routing and Planning: Ideally software can be used to plan run routes and provide distance and elevation information along with .gpx files for the route
- Ease of use
- Interface: User friendly interface with features easy to find
- Learning curve: How easy is it to learn how to use the software?
- Compatibility
- Devices: Will the software work on my phone or computer
- Browser based: I prefer browser based simple lightweight solutions that do not bloat my computer
- Price
- Free sofware is preferrable but sometimes paying will get you a much better solution
- One time purchases are preferred over ongoing subscriptions
- Other Features
- Offline Maps: This is an essentail feature if planning on using the software for navigation in remote areas
- Local Maps: Ability to load local Tasmanian maps such as the 1:25 000 maps
onthegomap
Onthegomap is a simple browser based mapping solution that allows for super easy planning of running routes. Simply click on the map and it snaps to the nearest road, path or trail. Once you have mapped out your route it will tell you the distance and elevation of the route. This is one of my most commonly used mapping solutions. The ease of use and the helpful information it provides makes it one of my favourite tools for planning runs.
How I use it?
- Planning routes from local jaunts to long mountain runs
- To get an idea of the distance and elevation of the proposed route
- Share routes with a friends
- Export the .gpx file and make a route on my Garmin to direct me where to go
👍 Positives
- Free and lightweight mapping option
- Browser based so no need to install a program or app
- Super quick and snappy for making a route
- Easy to share routes and export .gpx files
👎 Negatives
- Sometimes the elevation estimate is inaccurate
- Can’t save routes or annotate maps
- The route snapping sometimes plays up and doesn’t allow you on a certain path
Organic Maps
Organic Maps is a mobile app that’s available for Apple and Android. It is an open source version of Maps.me that uses data from OpenStreetMap.
Essentially the same as Maps.me without all the bloat and the pop ups asking you for money. It allows for routing and navigation and importantly allows for offline usage. Downloading the maps before heading out can save you from getting lost.
How I use it
- Navigation when on a backcountry mission
- Offline maps usually as a back up for Avenza Maps
- Using it to see how much further there is to go on a hike
👍 Positives
- Free and lightweight mapping option
- Offline maps for back country navigation
- Routes snap to trails so you can easily measure distance and elevation to travel
👎 Negatives
- Minimal features
- Not the greatest level of detail
- Topographical lines are spaced out a lot making it hard to make out steep features
Avenza Maps
Avenza is an android and iPhone app that allows you to download offline maps. The maps can be purchased from the store. The best maps are sold by a user called nswtopo and they typically cost less than $2 each which is well worth it if it saves you from getting lost.
The maps are georeferenced pdf files, essentially they are a replica of the paper maps with the advantage of being able to use GPS to show you where you are on the map with a blue dot. This is the important feature that has saved me from being lost many a time.
How I use it?
- Navigation when out of phone reception
- I use it to help me find the trail when I have lost my way
- Most commonly used when on multi-day bushwalks or long back country missions
- When doing off track walks I can load a .kml file from someone else on the map and use this as a guide
👍 Positives
- Free to use app, just once off payments for maps
- Great detail on the maps made by nswtopo
- Helps when you are lost
- Uses minimal phone battery when tracking on gps and phone on airplane mode
👎 Negatives
- Map cost can add up if you need to buy multiple
- Grouping of maps can be annoying
- Cannot snap to paths to measure distances
- The background image is only an image, no embedded data other than geographical reference
LISTmap (For Tasmanians)
LISTmap is a browser based map of Tasmania that is maintained by the State Government. There is a lot of great local specific information that can be viewed by turning on layers. Information from LISTmap can be used to make your own custom maps. This is a great free alternative to Avenza Maps but requires a bit more work and has a steeper learning curve.
How I use it?
- Planning big missions
- Scrolling around looking for interesting things on the map
- Export GIS data to make custom maps in Orux maps
- I am yet to try this but my housemate Ziggy does it
- Here is a tutorial on how to make maps using Orux maps
👍 Positives
- Highly detailed and up to date information about Tasmania
- Uses local naming for marine features such as bays and beaches
- Huge amounts of information are available through the layers
- Free to use and free to export GIS information
- Provides the ability for Tasmanian’s to make their own custom maps for free
👎 Negatives
- No mobile app
- Not the greatest option for navigation or tracking on mobile phone
- No offline option
- Doesn’t show all of the trails, Organic Maps sometimes shows more of the lesser travelled trails
Caltopo
I recently started playing around with Caltopo as a way to plan routes and a possible tool for embedding routes onto this blog to share. It is feature rich but comes with a steeper learning curve than the other products I have mentioned here. It has a free and paid tier. I have only been using the free but the paid is quite cheap so I may explore using it down the track.
How I use it?
- Planning out routes in detail
- Visualising routes and sharing them with others
- Can get high levels of detail on elevation gain
- Might be using it as a way to show routes on this website
- The embedded map on this post uses Captopo
👍 Positives
- Highly detailed fully featured web based app
- Has a phone app that can download offline maps with the paid tier
- A good way of sharing planned routes
- The free tier allows for unlimited public maps
- Reasonably priced paid plans
- There is a web app and a phone app
👎 Negatives
- Steep learning curve, can be overwhelming initially
- User interface looks a bit dated
- Have to pay for many of the better features but the price is reasonable at lease
FATMAP (Update, FATMAP is now Discontinued)
This is a new mapping option for me. My free trial of Strava Premium includes FATMAP so I have been playing around with it. It is a mapping tool designed specifically for the mountains. The topography of the mountains are represented in the 3D mode and provide a great view of how the mountains actually look.
I can see the appeal for users in Europe where there mountains are enormous and they need good ski lift, ski run maps. It is cool to look at the Tassie mountains and see the routes clearly showing the climbs and descents. I have only been playing around with it for about a week so my opinions below are based on minimal usage.
How I use it?
- Planning routes, there is a clickable route planner that snaps to tracks
- Looking at mountains in 3D view
- Showing people the mountains that I have climbed
- Reviewing my routes and enjoying looking at the cool maps
- The embedded map in this post uses FATMAP
👍 Positives
- Excellent visualisation of the topography
- Decent route planning, save and share routes
- Provides good elevation information for planned routes
- Easy to use mobile and web app
- Excellent satellite imagery adjusted to match the mountainous terrain
- Offline maps and navigation are available
👎 Negatives
- Paid app with ongoing subscription. Included in Strava Premium which many runners already pay for
- Not as feature rich as other options such as Caltopo
Summing Up
In conclusion, there are many great mapping apps available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The best app for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for a free and easy-to-use app for planning routes, onthegomap is a great option. If you need offline maps for remote areas, Avenza Maps is a good choice. And if you want to see the mountains in 3D, FATmap is the app for you. Below is a comparison table of the options I have discussed.
| Mapping Option | Free or Paid | Offline Navigation | Route Planning | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| onthegomap | Free | No | Yes | No |
| Organic Maps | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Avenza Maps | Free with one off purchases | Yes | No | Yes |
| LISTmap | Free | No | No | No |
| Caltopo | Free or Subscription | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FATMAP | Paid subscription | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Really helpful – thanks!