TrailMap: Offline Topo Maps and GPX for Hikers

Most hiking apps want a subscription for offline maps. TrailMap gives you vector topo maps, 3D terrain, GPX track support, and offline caching for free. Here's what it does and why it's worth having on your phone before your next trail.

Vector Topo Maps

TrailMap uses vector maps rather than raster tiles. The practical difference: vector maps scale perfectly at any zoom level (no blurry pixels when zoomed in), stay sharp on high-density screens, and download in a fraction of the size of equivalent raster tiles. A regional download that would be 500MB in raster format might be 50MB as a vector map.

Topographic detail — contour lines, elevation shading, trail classifications, peaks, and landmarks — is included in the base map. You don't need a separate "topo overlay" as a paid add-on.

3D Terrain

Tilt the map to see the terrain in 3D. This is genuinely useful for route planning: ridge lines, valley shapes, and the steepness of climbs are immediately obvious in 3D where they can be misleading on a 2D topo.

GPX Import and Export

GPX is the standard format for GPS tracks and waypoints. TrailMap imports GPX files from any source — AllTrails, Komoot, Garmin, or hand-crafted files — and overlays them on the map. Export your recorded tracks as GPX to share with friends or import into other tools.

Offline Caching

Cache any map region for offline use before you leave the trailhead. Select the area, choose the zoom levels, and TrailMap downloads the map tiles. On the trail with no signal, the cached area stays fully functional — you can still see your position (GPS works offline), the map, and your GPX track.

Trail Layers

Switch between different trail layer datasets to see hiking routes, difficulty ratings, and trail conditions. Useful when planning a route through unfamiliar terrain where official markers might be sparse.

Download TrailMap from Google Play — free worldwide topo maps, no subscription needed.