When it comes to hiking, western countries, like the USA and Canada, are really ahead of the game when it comes to technology. But what does that mean for South African hikers we hear you ask? It means we have access to all sorts of apps, some of which are more suitable for our needs and others are just for fun, to be used to explore and to learn.
Not everyone likes to connect nature with technology, because for most hikers, being able to get outdoors and away from technology and the rush that it can sometimes bring with it, is part of the reason why they are planning a hiking trip. But not all apps are needed for the hike itself.
Instead, there are some apps that can be used purely to help you plan and help you make the most of your trip.
Rather than scouring the net for information or trying to go through loads of books to get the tips you need to make the most of your adventure, an app is a great tool.
Most of the best apps are developed by those who have quite a lot of knowledge about hiking and they are also generally quite passionate about what it is that they are putting out there. If you can get an app developed by people in the know, you can look forward to expert information that will help you make the most of your hiking trip.
When you are next planning a hiking trip in Mpumalanga, consider trying out some of these apps, many of which have been considered the best for 2022.
- Avenza Maps
A GPS is something that every hiker can benefit from having while out on a trail, especially if the hiking trail they are considering is one that is long or one that they have never tried before. Avenza Maps is that classic GPS app, and it is a must for the hiker who is worried about getting lost along the way.
Some stand out features of this app include the ability to track your real time location even if you are offline, and the ability to save photos and notes.
- iNaturalist
A free app developed by National Geographic and the California Academy of Sciences, with iNaturalist in hand you will be able to use your camera and your location to learn more about what kinds of animals and plants you can expect to come across in the area when hiking. This app will allow you to explore the natural world and hopefully it will encourage you to be more curious about the nature around you.
- LeafSnap
There are all sorts of interesting plants to discover when you are hiking in Mpumalanga and when you don’t know the name of the plant you are looking at, or if you want to find out more about it, then this is the best app for you. All you will need to do is to take a photo of the plant and it will give you loads of suggestions that you can go through, and then you can match the plant in front of you with the plant on the app.
