Best online mapping app

I like Gaia GPS… FatMap is nice also. Sort of like a Google Earth with trails on it. But I have found that some local trails are missing here in New England that are clearly marked on Gaia GPS maps.

While Gaia GPS is great to use for navigation while on trail, I much prefer Caltopo for planning.

I also like calatopo for planning and Gaia for in the field use.  I haven’t used it, but my understanding is onX is pretty good as well, especially if part of our route needs to traverse private land.

Is there a good tutorial for CalTopo?  I have downloaded it and I’m can’t seem to figure it out.

I actually like planning on Gaia also. Seamless compatibility with the phone app. Our family touch screen Chromebooks run the Gaia app. I believe that iPads do too.

The FatMap app keeps crashing. I should contact customer service to see if there’s a fix.

Agree with Iago. I use both CalTopo and Gaia. But I find myself increasingly using Gaia alone (computer and mobile) because of the seamless transition between the two.

Thanks guys, I looked at CalTopo and can’t figure ou how to use it and Gaia is better, but I found an app called AllTrails.com which is very simple and easy to use for both laptop and smartphone.

I’m not sure why my number one choice is not widely liked. I use Caltopo and it works well for what I need,

I’m not sure why my number one choice is not widely liked. I use Caltopo and it works well for what I need.  Best of all, FREE!

Brian H, I too am a big fan of Caltopo and find it syncs well with the phone app too.  I guess I have not used Gaia enough to have a firm opinion on that, I do use it for the other layers it has over Caltopo.

I used to use CalTopo desktop. I liked it. But moving the maps to my phone took time and effort. That brought me to Gaia. Eventually CalTopo came out with a phone app. The phone app was in development mode for a while, and I couldn’t get it to work on my Android. I gave up. I just checked, and now it does work. But looking quickly at my last trip, established shelters and camping spots aren’t displayed on the included maps that the app menu has. I am sure that I could go back to my desktop and dig through the library and find them, but I would then have to put time and effort into the process. Yes, it’s a couple of minutes here and there. But when you are researching, it adds up quick.

I just took a flashing look. I could very well be missing something, like adding maps to the phone layers menu…

I think CalTopo is great. Based on how often it’s mentioned in the forums, it seems it’s also very widely used. I just prefer something else. It’s great to have choices.

I’ve done the Caltopo (desktop) to Gaia (iOS) thing for years. It’s a minor pain and costs a little bit more money but I’ve dealt with it.

I’ve had the Caltopo app installed on iOS since the early releases and always found problems with it. I just looked at it again yesterday and it seems like the app has matured well. I might switch over to it as my primary mapping app (keeping Gaia with maps installed as a backup) for another season or two.

I decided to cancel my Gaia subscription (it’s good until September). I moved Caltopo to the first page of apps on my phone and I’m going to try using it as my primary GPS app. Time will tell if I go back to Gaia.