The definitive tool for serious backcountry navigation and planning.
Gaia GPS is the powerhouse of mobile mapping. If you need to know exactly where you are on a USGS topo map, overlay public land boundaries, and check snow depth all at once, this is your app. It has a steeper learning curve than AllTrails but offers unmatched utility.
Gaia GPS (now owned by Outside) focuses on the map itself. It treats the smartphone as a dedicated GPS unit. The ability to layer different map sources (satellite, topo, MVUM, aviation) makes it versatile for hikers, hunters, overlanders, and pilots alike.
Gaia's offline mode is robust. You select a rectangle, choose your layers, and set the resolution. It tells you exactly how much space it will take. It is reliable and rarely crashes, even with massive map files.
Gaia GPS is essential for **backpackers, hunters, off-roaders, and alpinists** who venture off-trail or deep into the wilderness where "following the dotted line" isn't enough.