Best Free Camino Frances App with Offline Maps (GPS)

[Murray duplessis]

Hi all!

Does anyone have a free Android app they could recommend, that allows one to download maps to be used in conjunction with GPS, offline?

"Camino Pilgrim" promises as much, but I am struggling to find the download option on it.

Many thanks... and buen Camino!

Murray

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

What I'm describing here is not a camino app but is an GPS app that you might find helpful beyond its navigational abilities. I use a GPS app called OSMand (IOS and Android) that works offline and uses maps from the Open Street Map project. Why I am mentioning it here is that it can be used to display Points Of Interest that are sites mentioned in Wikipedia. Like the OSM maps these Wikipedia POIs also can be downloaded so they can be read off line. Read more about these POIs and see a screenshot at this post on the forum:https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/ios-apps-for-history-guide.43625/#post-450256

 

[Former member 49149]

I just got an app today, recommended by??? Maybe, undermanager?? It is for iphone, and while not free, at €2.49 it won’t break the bank. I just need to find out how to tell it to count my steps and lead me to the next rest stop! I am sure one day it will be clear as daylight. It is called Motion X - GPS. Might work for you...

 

[C clearly]

Hi all!
Does anyone have a free Android app they could recommend, that allows one to download maps to be used in conjunction with GPS, offline?
"Camino Pilgrim" promises as much, but I am struggling to find the download option on it.
Many thanks... and buen Camino!
Murray

What do you want to do with it? With maps.me, you can download the maps and a track to follow with GPS, offline.

 

[AlwynWellington]

Like @Rick of Rick and Peg , I also prefer OSMAnd+.

And the reason is quite simple. It is a general purpose process that can be used for all walks that users like you and me, as well a local authorties and promoters of specific walking routes, have entered.

And I can use OSMAnd+ to plan a route ahead of time, whether walking, cycling or driving, and see an elevation profile (for example).

 

[Doogman]

I used MAPS.ME on the Via Francigena last summer and I thought it was great. It could show me the route I was supposed to be following, and had a GPS locator that showed where I actually was (which quite often was not on the route I was supposed to be on). The maps were very detailed, right down to street names. It is free to download. If there is an existing GPS track of the route you want to follow in a Google Earth format, it can be transferred over to MAPS.ME. It may handle other formats as well, but I am not sure. Good luck!

 

[Martin Doyle]

I used an app on my Samsung phone last Aug/Sept while I walked the Camino Frances. It was called Locus Map and I downloaded the map of Spain. It is a free app with up to 3 downloads included. The map of Spain included many of the main Camino paths. Just zoom in and see the blue track and yellow/blue shell symbol. It helped very much when walking out of the larger centres in the dim light of early morning. I found it to be accurate within meters. If you need more features you can buy add ons.

 

[Mark Barnes]

I used "wise pilgrim" when I walked the Frances Sept. - Nov. , 2017. It contained maps, Elevation profiles, booking.com link and information about areas. I used all of the features and found it to be a great help. I used an iPhone 6s. I think the app cost $5.00.

 

[Murray duplessis]

Thanks everyone for your very helpful inputs.

Yes, I currently use maps.me, which is a fantastic app! I was thinking I might find an app with navigation specific to the Camino Frances. I will follow up on all your leads.

Thanks again, and... happy walking!

 

[C clearly]

I was thinking I might find an app with navigation specific to the Camin

Do you have Camino tracks downloaded to maps.me? What further navigation would you want?

 

[Murray duplessis]

Thanks yes, I found some .kmz tracks, and have downloaded them to Maps.me.

 

[Jim_Hyde]

Hi all!

Does anyone have a free Android app they could recommend, that allows one to download maps to be used in conjunction with GPS, offline?

"Camino Pilgrim" promises as much, but I am struggling to find the download option on it.

Many thanks... and buen Camino!

Murray

I use an app called Viewranger which is free to download, the mapping is quite basic but you can download official maps for use offline for a small fee, I have lots of maps for the UK from the Ordnance Survey and also a an annual subscription to IGN mapping in France which costs around £17 per year, worth it as I walk in France regularly, in Spain you can purchase tiles for the areas you want to cover for low costs. You can also plan and save routes which is handy, I am walking the whole way from Le Puy in April and I am preparing Stages which I can follow, it saves on taking wrong turns at junctions when the way is not always clear, and it also has handy 5 minute marker arrows which tell you how long before you reach your next waypoint or destination.

 

[Tim Greig]

I use an app called Viewranger which is free to download, the mapping is quite basic but you can download official maps for use offline for a small fee, I have lots of maps for the UK from the Ordnance Survey and also a an annual subscription to IGN mapping in France which costs around £17 per year, worth it as I walk in France regularly, in Spain you can purchase tiles for the areas you want to cover for low costs. You can also plan and save routes which is handy, I am walking the whole way from Le Puy in April and I am preparing Stages which I can follow, it saves on taking wrong turns at junctions when the way is not always clear, and it also has handy 5 minute marker arrows which tell you how long before you reach your next waypoint or destination.

I use ViewRanger too; the Le Puy route is very well waymarked but it is reassuring to see yourself on a high quality map. I advise experimenting with the GPS settings on your phone to preserve battery life.

 

[Henry Appelt]

TrailSmart is an excellent app. There is a small charge for the offline map but the gps route is very accurate. It also has a lot of information on distances, terrain, accommodation and restaurants which help you plan your walk. We have found it invaluable on the Lycian Way and Cappadocia.

 

[Kevin Malinak]

Hi all!

Does anyone have a free Android app they could recommend, that allows one to download maps to be used in conjunction with GPS, offline?

"Camino Pilgrim" promises as much, but I am struggling to find the download option on it.

Many thanks... and buen Camino!

Murray

My most favorite is:
Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.moemke.android.mycamino