Help...which app is best?

[Aloha From Kauai]

A quick question, please tell me the best one or two apps for selecting the best route for the day and accommodations, misc? I have several on my phone I've collected but never having been there, plus Covid impacts, I would be shooting blind as to which to follow...

 

[C clearly]

The selection of route is not likely to be different on most apps, and each app has its fans. If you have several on your phone, which one seems most intuitive to you?

 

[Maple Leaf Walker]

I’ve used Trailsmart on two Frances and one Portuguese (including a reverse Camino route). It’s the best of the bunch in my opinion. Regularly updated by the developer. Reliable info on amenities where you are. And on-the-pin indicator that saved me from countless wrong turns when doing that reverse Camino. I think it’s free to download. Fees are just if you want a more detailed offline map… and even then it’s about the price of a breakfast w/ cafe con leche.

Also, here’s a previous thread you might find helpful: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/best-app-for-iphone.62842/#post-757263

 

[Kimtom]

A quick question, please tell me the best one or two apps for selecting the best route for the day and accommodations, misc? I have several on my phone I've collected but never having been there, plus Covid impacts, I would be shooting blind as to which to follow...

I am on the Frances right now and have mostly been using Camino Ninja which I learned about from a hospitalero. I also check Gronze and Buen Camino for cross referencing but the Ninja has become my go to first app.

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

I am on the Frances right now and have mostly been using Camino Ninja which I learned about from a hospitalero. I also check Gronze and Buen Camino for cross referencing but the Ninja has become my go to first app.

Awesome, thanks!

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

I’ve used Trailsmart on two Frances and one Portuguese (including a reverse Camino route). It’s the best of the bunch in my opinion. Regularly updated by the developer. Reliable info on amenities where you are. And on-the-pin indicator that saved me from countless wrong turns when doing that reverse Camino. I think it’s free to download. Fees are just if you want a more detailed offline map… and even then it’s about the price of a breakfast w/ cafe con leche.

Also, here’s a previous thread you might find helpful: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/best-app-for-iphone.62842/#post-757263

Thank you, I don't have that one. I'll look.

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

The selection of route is not likely to be different on most apps, and each app has its fans. If you have several on your phone, which one seems most intuitive to you?

A question for a question, though a good one. Will look at all of them again.

 

[trecile]

I have several apps on my phone, but the one that I use the most is Buen Camino. It has the most features, and I especially like the stage planning feature. Plus it will show you at the top of the screen how far you are to the next town in real time. And it's free.

Be sure to watch the video tutorial.

 

[cardifflad52]

A quick question, please tell me the best one or two apps for selecting the best route for the day and accommodations, misc? I have several on my phone I've collected but never having been there, plus Covid impacts, I would be shooting blind as to which to follow...

I am using camino Ninja app

 

[cardifflad52]

I am using camino Ninja app

Forgot to mention I am on the camino Frances now and using the camino Ninja app which you can download if you not got it , it does everything for me

 

[lt56ny]

best route for the day and accommodations, misc?

I have Buen Camino, Wise Pilgrim and Ninja apps on my phone. I also use Gronze.com They are the most up to date when it comes to albergue opening/closing. I have so many because I walk in late fall or winter. No app has all the albergues etc., and no app is 100% accurate when it comes to an albergue being open or closed. I also have started walking caminos with far less infrastructure. Last year I walked the Via De La Plata and late fall this year I may do the Catalan/Ebro/Frances so I need more apps to find more places to stay. But on the Frances that will not be a problem.

 

[Martin Doyle]

I used the Camino Ninja app last Aug/Sept and was happy with it.

 

[YogaAnabel]

I used this one when I walked, found it excellent, it's been recently updated too http://caminoapp.net/

The Android version. Haven't tried the iPhone one.

 

[BombayBill]

See latest Gronze news

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gronze-maps-beta.74062/

 

[trecile]

I would suggest that you download the apps that look useful to you and try them out. I haven't found one perfect app (though as I said, Buen Camino is my favorite). Also different people have different needs, and like to use their apps in different ways, so you really need to see what works best for you.

 

[good_old_shoes]

An app can be useful, but it is not needed (at least not on the Francés). There are yellow arrows everywhere, and if you still manage to walk off trail somehow (even though that's quite difficult), a nice local or fellow pilgrim will most likely tell you after a few meters, before you can get lost.

For accommodation, you'll get a list in St Jean in the pilgrim's office. Distances between those accommodations / towns are included and you'll also get a sheet of paper that shows the elevation levels.

If you want to use an app additionally, it doesn't have to be perfect or "the best" ;-) so don't worry too much. It is easy to walk the Camino Francés without any apps.

 

[MacMac]

I use Camino Ninja. Very easy and intuitive to use. And on my last Camino I met Andy from Denmark, who developed and owns this app, and we had some good conversations

 

[RJM]

Keep it simple....
Buy the latest Brierley guidebook. They sell them here.

 

[trecile]

Keep it simple....
Buy the latest Brierley guidebook. They sell them here.

For me, carrying a book is just added weight. That's why I prefer the apps and guide books on the Kindle app on my phone.

 

[Former member 92300]

A quick question, please tell me the best one or two apps for selecting the best route for the day and accommodations, misc? I have several on my phone I've collected but never having been there, plus Covid impacts, I would be shooting blind as to which to follow...

I don't think there is a "best app". They all have their advantages and disadvantages. If you have room on your phone, leave whatever apps you have and reference them as you see fit along the Camino. That said - I used gronze . com more often for finding accommodations because at the time (last summer) it seemed to be the most up to date with what was actually open and accepting walk ins and/or reservations. I think the apps have been updating too - and now that Spain has been "reopened" much longer - I am guessing I would find them very useful this summer.

 

[MarkA]

I walked the Frances app-free without any major accommodation or navigation issues. I recently downloaded Buen Camino to trial it at home but, despite turning off all the notification settings, it still generated notifications in the middle of the night. Its now been deleted...

 

[Natale]

A quick question, please tell me the best one or two apps for selecting the best route for the day and accommodations, misc? I have several on my phone I've collected but never having been there, plus Covid impacts, I would be shooting blind as to which to follow...

I use the Camino ninja worked great last year when I walked the Camino frances. This April I will use the same app. Buen Camino

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

I walked the Frances app-free without any major accommodation or navigation issues. I recently downloaded Buen Camino to trial it at home but, despite turning off all the notification settings, it still generated notifications in the middle of the night. Its now been deleted...

I empathize with you on middle of the night interruptions!

 

[lt56ny]

For me, carrying a book is just added weight. That's why I prefer the apps and guide books on the Kindle app on my phone.

My first camino I didn't have a phone let alone a smartphone. I had the Brierley guide and a woman who met me for coffee and gave me lots of tips told me to tear out the pages I needed for each day and keep them in my waist belt pocket. It worked well for me and slowly but surely I lost a tinyyyyy bit of weight daily along with the weight around my panceta!

 

[Terrri]

First time using any app or smartphone and not finding them that necessary. Using camino ninja and finding it easy to use. It's been wrong a number of times as far as what's open.

 

[camino.ninja]

First time using any app or smartphone and not finding them that necessary. Using camino ninja and finding it easy to use. It's been wrong a number of times as far as what's open.

Thanks to 1000s of responsible pilgrims errors are corrected pretty fast. Also I walk the caminos, write emails and call the accommodations as well. But most importantly, please report in the app if you find wrong information

 

[Terrri]

Thanks to 1000s of responsible pilgrims errors are corrected pretty fast. Also I walk the caminos, write emails and call the accommodations as well. But most importantly, please report in the app if you find wrong information

I'll take a look and see if I can figure that out. It's not that I'm irresponsible, just not very knowledgeable.

 

[camino.ninja]

I'll take a look and see if I can figure that out. It's not that I'm irresponsible, just not very knowledgeable.

I think it is just as easy as writing a post in here And way more useful for me and the pilgrims coming after you

 

[J F Gregory]

I probably sound old fashion or out of the times. But on 3 caminos I have never used an app. I have a smart phone that stays in airplane mode while traveling. I use it for the camera. I can use WiFi to contact my family. I take a guide book with me for ideas where to stay. I follow the arrows. I am not putting down apps but t I don't want to become dependant on them. I use trail apps and a GPS for hiking mountain trails in USA, but there are no yellow arrows. ( :

 

[wisepilgrim]

A lot depends on the content you want from an app. Some are simple directories of accommodation, some offer offline maps, and some give you practical information about the Camino. At least one does all three

 

[Eve Alexandra]

I’m on the trail right now and most everyone around me is either using Camino ninja or Buen Camino. I have sometimes found an albergue via one app that isn’t mentioned on another, so I’m glad to have more than one. But when I was in Estella hunting down a bank a few days ago and needed to find my way back to the Camino, it was the ninja app I used first.

But full disclosure. I’ve also used google maps a couple of times.

 

[camino.ninja]

I’m on the trail right now and most everyone around me is either using Camino ninja or Buen Camino. I have sometimes found an albergue via one app that isn’t mentioned on another, so I’m glad to have more than one. But when I was in Estella hunting down a bank a few days ago and needed to find my way back to the Camino, it was the ninja app I used first.

But full disclosure. I’ve also used google maps a couple of times.

Hi Eve,

I just finished Camino Francés. This year and last year I made a really big effort to find out what albergues was permanently closed and removed them from the app. If there's less albergues in the Camino Ninja App - that's why.

Nothing is never forever though. So if you find albergues not mentioned in the app and open, it's probably because someone bought the albergue and reopened it. It would be extremely helpful if you could give me a hint. Either sending me a message here or emailing me on holla@camino.ninja

Best
Andy

 

[Eve Alexandra]

Hi Eve,

I just finished Camino Francés. This year and last year I made a really big effort to find out what albergues was permanently closed and removed them from the app. If there's less albergues in the Camino Ninja App - that's why.

Nothing is never forever though. So if you find albergues not mentioned in the app and open, it's probably because someone bought the albergue and reopened it. It would be extremely helpful if you could give me a hint. Either sending me a message here or emailing me on holla@camino.ninja

Best
Andy

I can’t remember now which day it was. It’s possible I saw it on your app and not booking, too. But I’ll definitely keep my eye out and save your email in case I notice anything for sure.

 

[camino.ninja]

I can’t remember now which day it was. It’s possible I saw it on your app and not booking, too. But I’ll definitely keep my eye out and save your email in case I notice anything for sure.

Thanks Eve

 

[JohnLloyd]

Camino Ninja was my safety net on the English Way last week.

Reassuring.

 

[tjz]

For the Norte last month we used a combination of:

• Wise Pilgrim - especially for GPS tracks at alternate route decision points
• Gronze.com - great for accommodations
• Just for the Norte, a spreadsheet of accommodation status: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...HX4OzK-pDn0h4s2QwIJlzZLAs/edit#gid=2087573628

We were happy with and thankful for all three. In some cases, trying to find open accommodations was a bit of detective work. I imagine things are rapidly improving in that regard, especially on the Frances.

 

[kaixo]

I haven’t used an app while walking. Do I need cell service?
My plan was to leave phone in airplane mode. And just use phone for camera and an occasional message to family via WhatsApp.

 

[trecile]

I haven’t used an app while walking. Do I need cell service?
My plan was to leave phone in airplane mode. And just use phone for camera and an occasional message to family via WhatsApp.

With most of the apps you can download all the content including maps that will work offline, do your plan will work.

 

[MiaBu]

May I add the question of a tracking app? In case one of your used one of these things, i would be happy to know which one and if you liked it and if they drew much power. I usually use Strava or Komoot, but there are so many.
I know its not needed

 

[kaixo]

Thank you @trecile.
And I would also like to know if I’m in airplane mode will my location will be visible? Meaning, am I a little blue dot somewhere on the screen?

 

[MiaBu]

Thank you @trecile.
And I would also like to know if I’m in airplane mode will my location will be visible? Meaning, am I a little blue dot somewhere on the screen?

Usually it should be. GPS does not need reception or internet. You can also download Google maps of any area and try it out...

 

[camino.ninja]

I haven’t used an app while walking. Do I need cell service?
My plan was to leave phone in airplane mode. And just use phone for camera and an occasional message to family via WhatsApp.

Being able to make calls and have data is probably recommended even though it should be possible to do the Camino without.