Are walking and navigation apps safe?

Walking apps have opened up the great outdoors to everyone. Now you can follow routes, see exactly where you are and forget about taking those large paper maps and a compass with you. Or can you?

We’ve all seen news reports over the past few years about lost walkers having to be rescued after using a walking app. So, are walking apps safe?

We’ve spoken to the experts in mountain safety and they say that yes they are, as long as you follow our tips below and make sure you have a backup.

Walking apps are more popular than ever with a host of different ones to choose from, including Ordnance Survey, Komoot and Outdooractive. 

Last year, Mountaineering Scotland carried out a survey of 4,000 hill walkers and found that nearly nine in 10 (87%) of them used mobile phones or GPS for navigating. 

However, the survey also found that a worrying four in 10 respondents had experienced a situation where their device had stopped working in some way. So, make sure you you use your smartphone in the right way when out in the hills or wilderness.

We’ve got these great tips from Mountaineering Scotland - which is made up of experts from Scottish Mountain Rescue, Police Scotland, Mountain Training Scotland and others.

1. Charge your phone fully

Ensure your phone is 100% charged when you set out. 

2. Protect it

Protect your phone from the elements and keep it close to your body when not in use, to help it stay warm and dry and save battery life.

Always use a robust phone case. 

3. Download the maps you need

Download all the maps you might need before setting out, so you don’t need to rely on mobile data to access maps during your walk.

4. Extend the battery

Extend your phone’s battery life by using flight mode or taking a power bank. A small, lightweight power pack typically costs £10-30.

5. Have a paper backup

As a backup, always take a printed map and compass (and ensure you know how to use them) in case your phone stops working.

Using walking apps safely: advice from the experts

Mountaineering Scotland Safety Advisor Ben Gibson says: “When going out into the hills, it is important to look after your phone.

"It not only gives you additional information to help with your hill and mountain navigation, but is also your lifeline to contacting the emergency services in the event that you or a group member finds yourself in a serious situation.

“Remember, if you’re downloading your route from an app, it’s always worth checking it against other reliable sources before you set out to make sure it’s safe and suitable for your level of experience and ability.”