Why You Should Use Digital Navigation Methods for Hiking

Navigation via phone GPS is incredibly useful. It has become our default tool on all our hikes and ski touring trips. Whilst there are times when a backup physical map and compass are necessary, we believe it is both possible and sensible to rely on digital tools as your primary source of navigation.

The main criticism of digital navigation methods—such as phones, handheld GPS devices, and watches—is that they aren’t as reliable as paper maps.

From our experience, we have seen far more physical maps get damaged, lost, wet, or torn compared to electronic failures. Whenever we encounter a lost hiker, it has almost always been because they misread a physical map and didn’t have a GPS device with topographic maps. These experiences have led us to conclude that digital maps are an excellent method for hiking navigation, provided you have a robust system in place.

Pros and cons of using digital navigation tools when hiking

Pros

Easier to read for most people, making it less likely to get lost
Tracks your movements and shows where you’ve been
Offers adjustable scaling, with maps updating details as you zoom in or out
Supports multiple map sources (e.g., topographic maps, satellite imagery, Strava heatmaps)
Allows you to overlay custom data (e.g., GPX files, waypoints)
Functions even in a whiteout, unlike physical maps
Modern devices typically have good waterproofing

Cons

Phones/GPS devices can break or run out of battery
Some touchscreen devices may struggle in the rain
Can encourage over-reliance on technology, reducing your awareness of your surroundings

Clear signage like this won’t always be available on a track, which is why it is essential to carry a robust digital navigation system.

Discussion

Digital navigation tools offer a variety of benefits that, in our experience, make them indispensable whilst hiking. One of their biggest advantages is their ease of use. For the majority of people, digital maps are far simpler to read than paper maps, significantly reducing the risk of getting lost. With just a few taps, you can accurately pinpoint your location and track your walk in real-time. Devices like Garmin watches, when connected to your phone, even add an extra layer of convenience by buzzing if you veer off-trail.

Digital navigation also offers adjustable scaling, so you can change the level of details on a map just by zooming in or out—unlike physical maps, which are limited to a fixed scale. Zooming in can sometimes show you important details such as smaller trails and landmarks.

Another major advantage of using digital navigation methods is its versatility. Many apps support multiple map sources, such as topographic maps, satellite imagery, and Strava heatmaps. This functionality gives us different views of an area, allowing us to assess current track conditions, identify routes that may no longer exist, and make informed decisions. If we do find that a pre-made map lacks the necessary details, we can overlay custom data, such as our own GPX files and waypoints, to further personalise our navigation. This is particularly helpful for planning resupply points and food drops.

Next, digital navigation tools are highly reliable, even in challenging conditions like whiteouts. GPS devices, smartwatches, and phones can still function in low visibility, unlike paper maps which require visible landmarks to pinpoint your location and navigate.

Aside from the struggle of dealing with a wet screen, digital devices might break and will ultimately run out of battery at some point, leaving you without guidance if you haven’t prepared a backup. To mitigate this, we build redundancy into our navigation system. We use multiple navigational apps on our phones, such as CalTopo and Gaia GPS, with our personal GPX files uploaded to each one. Additionally, we rely on backups like a GPS watch or handheld GPS. If you have an inReach, we recommend uploading your GPX files there as well. We also ensure redundancy in our power supplies by carrying extra power banks and charging cables.

Finally, relying heavily on digital tools may encourage over-reliance on technology. We have noticed that this may cause you to lose some awareness of your surroundings which is critical for safe navigation, especially in unfamiliar or remote areas.

Conclusion

Whilst technical failures are a valid concern for using digital tools, we believe physical maps are less dependable. They are more likely to get you lost and are also more prone to damage than electronic devices are to complete failure. Overall, we believe digital navigation methods are invaluable for hiking, provided two factors are met: building a robust navigation system and learning how to use the technology effectively.