The short answer
For trekking in India, the right app depends on the job. TrailScout is built for Indian trails and group treks without network: trail guides, offline maps, a group map over Bluetooth and SOS. Maps.me and OsmAnd give free offline base maps from OpenStreetMap. Komoot and Gaia GPS are strong for route planning and topographic maps. AllTrails and Wikiloc have large global libraries of user trails. Strava is best for tracking and sharing runs rather than navigation. Many trekkers carry two: one for the trail and group, and one as a backup map.
At a glance
| App | Best for | Offline |
|---|---|---|
| TrailScout | Group treks and safety on Indian trails | Yes, maps download when you save a trail |
| Maps.me | Free offline base maps | Yes, download regions in advance |
| OsmAnd | Detailed offline maps for power users | Yes |
| Komoot | Route planning for hiking and cycling | Yes, typically with a paid region or plan |
| Gaia GPS | Topographic and satellite map layers | Yes, on paid tiers |
| AllTrails | Large global trail library | On its paid plan |
| Wikiloc | User-recorded GPS tracks worldwide | Following trails offline is a premium feature |
| Strava | Tracking and sharing runs and rides | Records offline; limited navigation |
The apps
1. TrailScout
Best for: Group treks and safety on Indian trails. Trail guides for the Sahyadris, Western Ghats and Himalaya; offline maps on save; QR-code group lobby; live group map over Bluetooth; one-tap SOS by SMS and Bluetooth; automatic check-in; off-road tracks. Offline: Yes, maps download when you save a trail.
2. Maps.me
Best for: Free offline base maps. Offline maps built on OpenStreetMap, with many trails and campsites marked in popular trekking regions. Offline: Yes, download regions in advance.
3. OsmAnd
Best for: Detailed offline maps for power users. Open-source offline maps and navigation from OpenStreetMap, with contour lines and GPX support. Offline: Yes.
4. Komoot
Best for: Route planning for hiking and cycling. Plans routes around your fitness and surface type, with turn-by-turn voice navigation. Offline: Yes, typically with a paid region or plan.
5. Gaia GPS
Best for: Topographic and satellite map layers. Many map layers including topo and satellite, with offline downloads and GPX import. Offline: Yes, on paid tiers.
6. AllTrails
Best for: Large global trail library. A huge collection of trails with reviews and photos; strongest coverage in North America and Europe. Offline: On its paid plan.
7. Wikiloc
Best for: User-recorded GPS tracks worldwide. Millions of tracks uploaded by users, useful for finding a GPX of less common routes. Offline: Following trails offline is a premium feature.
8. Strava
Best for: Tracking and sharing runs and rides. Activity tracking, segments and a social feed; not designed as a trail navigation app. Offline: Records offline; limited navigation.
What a trekking app needs to do in India
Work with no network. Most treks lose signal within an hour of the trailhead. Offline maps are the minimum.
Know Indian trails. Global apps are strongest where most of their users are. Check how well a Sahyadri fort or a Western Ghats permit trek is covered before relying on it.
Keep a group together. Groups split on climbs and in fog. Few apps show your group's position without network; TrailScout relays it over Bluetooth.
Get help. Know how the app sends an SOS, and save emergency contacts before you go. In India the emergency number is 112.
How to choose
If you trek in a group in India and want one app for the route, the group and safety, choose TrailScout. If you want a free backup map, add Maps.me or OsmAnd. If you plan lots of custom routes from home, Komoot or Gaia GPS are worth a look.
Whatever you use, download maps at home on Wi-Fi, carry a power bank, and tell someone where you are going.
We make TrailScout, so we have an obvious interest. We have tried to describe each app fairly. Features and pricing change, so check each app's store listing before you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Which trekking app works without internet in India?
TrailScout, Maps.me, OsmAnd, Komoot, Gaia GPS, AllTrails and Wikiloc can all show maps offline if you download them first, though some require a paid plan. TrailScout also shares group location over Bluetooth without network.
What is the best free trekking app?
For free offline base maps, Maps.me and OsmAnd are popular. TrailScout adds trail guides, group tracking and SOS for Indian treks.
Do I need a GPS device for Himalayan treks?
Many trekkers rely on a phone with offline maps and a power bank. For remote routes, a dedicated GPS or satellite messenger adds a backup that doesn't depend on your phone battery.