What is the best place for hiking?
2025 field-oriented comparison: IGN maps, offline navigation, security, battery, route sharing and integrations to choose the hiking site that corresponds to your practice (day, GR®, trek, trail).
To remember in 30 seconds
- Komoot : Intuitive planning, an active community, and voice navigation. Excellent for planning and tracking a day hike or GR® with offline maps.
- MaRando (FFRandonnée) : selection of official marked routes in France and verified information sheets . Ideal for beginners on safe trails.
- AllTrails : Huge trail database with detailed reviews. Perfect for finding ideas for a local outing.
- IGN Cartes and IGNrando' : reference for terrain reading (TOP 25), useful in less frequented areas and for variants.
- The best one depends on your usage: discovery, off-network navigation, topographical accuracy, safety tracking, GPX sharing.
Background: The intention behind best site
In 2025, the search for the best hiking site mainly reflects an intention to choose quickly, without making a mistake , between a few names that have become familiar: Komoot, AllTrails, sites supported by the IGN (MaRando, IGNrando' or Cartes IGN), and alternatives depending on the terrain (iPhiGénie, OsmAnd, Outdooractive). The pages that perform in the FR SERP mix comparisons, PAA and extracts that respond directly: an ideal site is one that allows you to plan and follow an offline route, with reliable mapping and useful points of interest . In France, the IGN and the FFRandonnée provide a cartographic base and official routes that reassure walkers, while Komoot and AllTrails shine for discovery and community sharing.
Our simple grid for deciding
To get out of the complicated situation, we evaluate on six concrete criteria: (1) mapping (IGN, relief, trails), (2) offline navigation (guidance without network), (3) discovery (route engine and reviews), (4) GPX import and export , (5) security (water points, shelters, SOS, position sharing), (6) cost . Quick verdict:
- To prepare and follow a GR® : Komoot (offline planning and regions) plus IGN maps as a topo net.
- To discover what's around you : AllTrails (wealth of ideas and opinions, filters).
- To stay 100% official France : MaRando (FFRandonnée) plus IGNrando' or IGN Maps.
Why the IGN remains the compass in France
The IGN's TOP 25 maps (1:25,000) are the field reference : fine contour lines, toponymy, marked trails, cabins, water points. They are available in paper, online via Géoportail and via partners. Using a site that can display IGN data or a quality equivalent will avoid surprises in complex areas (relief, variants, tricky passages).
The step-by-step method for choosing and configuring your site
1) Clarify your primary use
Are you more into ideas close to home (weekend), followed by a GR® (several days), or off-trail in the mountains ? Discover with AllTrails or Komoot. Tracking and guidance with Komoot. Detailed reading of the relief with IGN or IGNrando maps.
- Define a priority use to guide your choice.
- Check for offline maps of the target area.
2) Check mapping and offline
Before you set off, download a map of the area (Komoot region or IGN maps). Without a network connection, the site should continue to guide you and display your route accurately. Komoot offers regional packs and offline mode. IGN provides the IGN Maps site and the IGNrando platform.
- Download the maps and GPX track of the route.
- Turn on airplane mode plus GPS and test for two minutes at the doorstep.
3) Filter by route quality
For a hike without unpleasant surprises, choose verified sources : MaRando (FFRandonnée) aggregates marked trails and validated information sheets. AllTrails and Komoot rely on the community, useful for recent opinions on the state of the terrain.
- Read three to five recent reviews (muddy passages, closed bridges, construction).
- Prefer tracks with photos, consistent elevation and time.
4) Configure navigation and security
Activate the route departure alert, voice navigation if you walk with headphones, share your hiking plan with a friend and prepare paper or PDF markers (MaRando or IGNrando' sheets).
- Add water points and shelters when available on the map.
- Export a backup GPX to a second site if needed.
5) Optimize battery and readability
Set the screen to auto-brightness, turn off 5G, turn off data in the mountains (airplane mode plus GPS), and keep a power bank. Modern services allow reliable tracking with the screen off plus voice navigation , which greatly extends battery life.
- Save the track locally if you want to share it.
- Carry 5 to 10 Wh for every two hours of guiding on average.
6) Integrate your equipment and your goals
Komoot, AllTrails, and IGNrando export GPX or TCX data for your watches and GPS devices. When packing your bag, think about carrying comfort and organization : a well-adjusted bag makes navigation more stress-free and phone access more secure.
- Choose a stable and ventilated bag: technical backpacks . Volumes 20 to 40 L for the day, 40 to 60 L for 2 to 5 days.
- Pack your weather kit (windbreaker, gloves, lightweight stove, blanket). See kitchen and stoves , sleeping arrangements .
Mini-case study: a 3-day hike on the GR®
Objective: 3 days of roaming on a hilly section of GR® (55 km, +1,700 m), overnight bivouac permitted. Site budget : €0 to €30/year.
Setup : Komoot (World Pack or regional packs) and offline download, backup GPX export, MaRando to check official sections and stage sheets, Géoportail to confirm slopes and water points. Result: effective voice guidance, alert when leaving the GR® by a few meters, battery OK (airplane mode plus GPS plus screen off). Steep or alternative passages are anticipated thanks to IGN and Géoportail curves.
Risks and countermeasures
Outdated maps (felling, landslide, hunting): cross-reference at least two sources (community plus official) and check recent opinions.
Caution: In white zones, the streaming basemap disappears. Download it first. Test it in airplane mode at home: if the map still displays and the GPS track moves, you're ready.
Battery drain : choose to turn off the screen and use voice guidance, reduce the recording frequency, carry a power bank, and store your smartphone in a warm place near your body in cold weather.
Pro Tip: Add fallback points (station, road, shelter) to your itinerary. Many sites can create alerts for these points.
Poorly qualified community track : read the profile (elevation, slopes) and temporal consistency . FFRandonnée or IGN routes are preferable if you are a beginner.
Express Zoom by site (2025)
Komoot
Strong points: very accessible planner, offline packs, voice navigation, rich community (ideas, photos, advice). Compatible with GPX import and export and devices (watches or GPS). Excellent combo with an IGN reading in preparation.
MaRando (FFRandonnée)
Highlights: Officially marked trails, PDF files, downloadable tracks, and guidance tools. Perfect for beginners and those looking for a safe route.
IGN Maps and IGNrando'
Highlights: Access to reference topographical resources, themes (tourism, terrain), tracks and collaborative POIs. Ideal for understanding the terrain and preparing variants.
AllTrails
Highlights: Huge database of routes and detailed reviews, powerful filters (distance, elevation gain, and altitude), and downloadable maps. Great for finding ideas and following a simple route.
Equipment and useful internal network
Arknor has been equipping hikers since 2019: to help your site reveal its full potential, prepare an organized bag and suitable bedding. Explore:
- Technical backpacks : volumes and carrying capacity for all durations.
- 20 to 40 L bags (day and light weekend) .
- 40 to 60 L bags (2 to 5 days) .
- Sleeping bags and quilts .
- Stoves and cooking pots .
- Bags and transport (covers, pockets) .
- Arknor FAQ and Contact .
- About Arknor .
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FAQ: Your most frequently asked questions
- Which free website is available for hiking in France?
- Komoot offers free planning and offline map packs for purchase by region or World Pack, MaRando is free with official routes, the IGN Maps site allows you to consult backgrounds.
- Which site for hiking without network?
- Choose a site that downloads maps and routes (Komoot, AllTrails, IGN Maps, or IGNrando). Test in airplane mode before leaving: the track should appear and move on the GPS.
- How to get IGN 1:25,000 maps on a site?
- Via the official IGN Maps website, IGNrando' and compatible partners. The Géoportail also allows you to study the area from a browser.
- Komoot or AllTrails: Which to Choose?
- AllTrails excels at finding nearby ideas with plenty of reviews. Komoot is better for planning a custom route and tracking it offline. Many hikers use both.
Sources and useful links
- MaRando, official FFRandonnée website .
- Geoportail - IGN maps and data .
- IGN Maps Site (official) .
- AllTrails France .
- Komoot .
- I-Trekkings: 12 GPS sites for hiking .
- UFC-Que Choisir: site comparison (reserved for subscribers).
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