Best Overland Trail Map site or app?

[James3dwards]

Hi, I'm looking for a good mapping site or application for researching, planning and mapping trails. I looked at Alltrails, but the app is more general focus and doesn't map just off-road trails.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[RoarinRow]

Have you looked at Gaia GPS maps? Seems a lot of people use it. I have it, downloaded a section of map, but haven't used it yet.

 

[USStrongman]

For research I use trailsoffroad.com. I enjoy seeing videos and reading descriptions to gauge if its what I am looking for in a trip. I download the .gpx files and upload to GAIA on my laptop. Once uploaded, it syncs to my tablet which I use for offroad mapping.

 

[EXPO_D1]

GaiagpsDOTcom is my go to. great app and website. accurate tracking and downloadable maps.

 

[Jstrohbehn87]

I just started using OnX app. And like it so far. Easy to use and I can save maps for offline use. I can track my ride. And set way points

 

[Dusther210]

Seems like I’m not alone in thinking Gaia is the reigning champ.
Especially now with their partnership with TrailsOffroad

 

[Ocean_Ranger]

Seems like I’m not alone in thinking Gaia is the reigning champ.
Especially now with their partnership with TrailsOffroad

This thread is a bit stale. I’ve been running Gaia and OnX for several months. So far there isn’t a clear winner for me. I prefer trip planning with Gaia and I prefer the mobile user interface with OnX. However I had an issue with OnX once when an offline map wouldn’t load. I was glad to have Gaia and paper maps as a plan B. A reminder that redundancy is a good thing.

What do others like (or not) about these two platforms?

 

[M Rose]

OB1

 

[Ubiety]

My current favorite is OB1 for nav activities, Gaia for route creation and onX for research/planning. Sadly none are "perfect" for navigating so I run all three and have to switch between them more than I would like to get the "view" that I want in any circumstance. Of the three OB1 is the one that is being updated/improved the most so I have the highest hopes for it. Gaia seems to be the one resting on its laurels the most so I am phasing it out; that said Gaia's mobile iOS app does seem to be the least buggy while navigating but also has the most issues syncing with "all of the data" on the mothership (my routes/waypoints created on the computer via their web interface). onX's syncing to the mothership just works and it has become the "gold standard" for viewing my data while navigating; I also LOVE their maps - they have done a fantastic job of merging the kinds of things that I want to see onto a single map. I dislike Gaia's method of layering maps and setting the opacity of each layer to view more than one layer - all layers suffer and you end up with a barely visible (while driving and glancing) jumble and have to constantly change the opacity of "the layer of current interest" in order to see it clearly.

 

[Dusther210]

I need more hands on time with OB1

 

[Ocean_Ranger]

I need more hands on time with OB1

I agree this thread has inspired me to give it a try. I upgraded to Expedition and will try OB1 alongside Gaia and OnX this weekend.

 

[Ubiety]

I agree this thread has inspired me to give it a try. I upgraded to Expedition and will try OB1 alongside Gaia and OnX this weekend.

I should add that OB1 maps are a lot like onX maps - the stuff you want all living together on a single map. I really like OB1 for following a pre-planned track/route.

 

[genocache]

Yeah, old thread, since the OP is/was in Utah; Access Map and close to Colorado; Colorado Gravel Roads

 

[a12houk]

My current favorite is OB1 for nav activities, Gaia for route creation and onX for research/planning. Sadly none are "perfect" for navigating so I run all three and have to switch between them more than I would like to get the "view" that I want in any circumstance. Of the three OB1 is the one that is being updated/improved the most so I have the highest hopes for it. Gaia seems to be the one resting on its laurels the most so I am phasing it out; that said Gaia's mobile iOS app does seem to be the least buggy while navigating but also has the most issues syncing with "all of the data" on the mothership (my routes/waypoints created on the computer via their web interface). onX's syncing to the mothership just works and it has become the "gold standard" for viewing my data while navigating; I also LOVE their maps - they have done a fantastic job of merging the kinds of things that I want to see onto a single map. I dislike Gaia's method of layering maps and setting the opacity of each layer to view more than one layer - all layers suffer and you end up with a barely visible (while driving and glancing) jumble and have to constantly change the opacity of "the layer of current interest" in order to see it clearly.

Gaia has a new overlanding layer that is pretty good.
I also like adding the wilderness layer and snow layer in winter

I also want to start spending more time with OB1 and OnX

 

[Ubiety]

Gaia has a new overlanding layer that is pretty good.
I also like adding the wilderness layer and snow layer in winter

I also want to start spending more time with OB1 and OnX

My subscription lapsed about the time that Gaia introduced the new overlanding layer. My problem with Gaia and its layers is that one layer is always the most visible. So then I decrease its opacity and end up being able to see more layers at the cost of all visible layers being "washed out". IMO a single layer with lots of diverse data is better than multiple washed out layers. I know folks who disagree with that and that is ok, but I find that while driving I can only glance at the map and I want it to be vibrant, bright and crystal clear.

 

[a12houk]

Gaia has a new overlanding layer that is pretty good.
I also like adding the wilderness layer and snow layer in winter

I also want to start spending more time with OB1 and OnX

My subscription lapsed about the time that Gaia introduced the new overlanding layer. My problem with Gaia and its layers is that one layer is always the most visible. So then I decrease its opacity and end up being able to see more layers at the cost of all visible layers being "washed out". IMO a single layer with lots of diverse data is better than multiple washed out layers. I know folks who disagree with that and that is ok, but I find that while driving I can only glance at the map and I want it to be vibrant, bright and crystal clear.

That makes sense
The only layers I really use are public land and wilderness areas so I know my boundaries. Then I’m winter I turn on snow depth so I can decide where I do or do t want to go.
The current fires layer is also good info.
If OB1 has that info incorporated or available, I’ll be happy.

 

[Ubiety]

That makes sense
The only layers I really use are public land and wilderness areas so I know my boundaries. Then I’m winter I turn on snow depth so I can decide where I do or do t want to go.
The current fires layer is also good info.
If OB1 has that info incorporated or available, I’ll be happy.

Gaia certainly has the lead by a huge margin on map types and available data; I'm not sure if OB1 will support these other map types or not. Sounds worthy of a feature request!
I have used many of the layers in Gaia and like their inclusion but my main use case is while driving - so I tend to harp on a good solution for that ;)

 

[M Rose]

That makes sense
The only layers I really use are public land and wilderness areas so I know my boundaries. Then I’m winter I turn on snow depth so I can decide where I do or do t want to go.
The current fires layer is also good info.
If OB1 has that info incorporated or available, I’ll be happy.

Public lands and wilderness area maps are already emended in the app. As for winter layer, @Michael would be in the know on if this is eventually going to come into being or not.

 

[a12houk]

That makes sense
The only layers I really use are public land and wilderness areas so I know my boundaries. Then I’m winter I turn on snow depth so I can decide where I do or do t want to go.
The current fires layer is also good info.
If OB1 has that info incorporated or available, I’ll be happy.

Public lands and wilderness area maps are already emended in the app. As for winter layer, @Michael would be in the know on if this is eventually going to come into being or not.

Thanks for that!
Current fires is something important to me too and a layer I consult during planning and pre-trip

 

[M Rose]

Thanks for that!
Current fires is something important to me too and a layer I consult during planning and pre-trip

It’s being talked about… and yes would be a great feature for sure.