Ireland is one of the finest hiking destinations in the world. From the wild Atlantic coastline of Connemara to the rolling peaks of the Wicklow Mountains, the rugged Mournes, and the dramatic peninsulas of Kerry and Donegal, the island has no shortage of world-class trails. But to get the most out of those trails, you need the right app on your phone.
Whether you’re a seasoned hillwalker or just getting started, the right hiking app can mean the difference between a great day on the hills and a genuinely dangerous one. With so many options available in 2026, we’ve rounded up the best hiking apps available to Irish hikers — covering maps, features, pricing, and who each one suits best.
1. HiiKER — Best Overall for Irish Hikers
It would be remiss not to start here. HiiKER was built with serious hikers in mind, and it shows — particularly when it comes to Ireland. What sets HiiKER apart from every other app on this list is its access to Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) maps — the gold standard for hiking in the Republic of Ireland — as well as EastWest Mapping, which covers the most popular mountain regions in exquisite detail.
These aren’t watered-down digital maps. OSi maps on HiiKER are the same 1:50,000 scale topographic maps that mountain leaders and rescue teams rely on, now available offline on your phone. EastWest Mapping goes even further, offering detailed 1:25,000 coverage of areas like the Wicklow Mountains, Connemara, the Mournes, and the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks.
Beyond maps, HiiKER offers a comprehensive suite of hiking tools:
- Offline map downloads — free for all users, no subscription needed
- GPS route recording with real-time stats
- Custom route planning on premium topo maps
- 3D map visualisation — unique in the mobile hiking app space
- Waypoints and Points of Interest
- Apple Watch support
- A growing library of verified trails across Ireland
HiiKER PRO+ gives you access to all premium maps — including OSi, EastWest Mapping, Harvey Maps, OSNI for Northern Ireland, and dozens of international maps — for a single subscription. It’s exceptional value for anyone hiking regularly in Ireland.
Best for: Intermediate to advanced hikers who want the best available maps for Ireland, serious route planning, and a complete navigation toolkit.
Pricing: Free (with offline maps included). PRO+ from €5.99/month or €34.99/year.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
2. AllTrails — Best for Discovery and Beginners
AllTrails is the most downloaded hiking app in the world, and it has a solid presence in Ireland. Its biggest strength is its community-driven trail database — you’ll find user reviews, photos, and condition updates for hundreds of Irish trails, which is genuinely useful when you’re deciding whether a route is worth tackling after a week of rain.
However, AllTrails has a significant weakness for Irish hikers: its map quality. The app relies primarily on OpenStreetMap data rather than official topographic sources, which means you won’t get the contour detail and terrain accuracy that OSi or EastWest maps provide. For casual walkers on well-marked trails, this is fine. For anyone heading into the mountains or navigating off the beaten path, it falls short.
Best for: Beginners, casual walkers, and anyone primarily using the app for trail discovery and community reviews.
Pricing: Free (limited). AllTrails+ from €2.99/month.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
3. Komoot — Best for Route Planning and Cycling Crossover
Komoot has built a strong following among European outdoor enthusiasts, and Ireland is well covered in its database. It’s particularly strong on route planning — the interface for building custom routes is intuitive and gives you solid elevation and surface information to work with.
Like AllTrails, Komoot’s map base is OpenStreetMap, which limits its usefulness for technical mountain navigation in Ireland. It also works on a pay-per-region model for offline maps, which can add up quickly if you hike across multiple areas. That said, if you’re also a cyclist or trail runner, Komoot’s multi-sport support is a genuine advantage.
Best for: Route planning enthusiasts, multi-sport users, and those exploring well-marked trail networks.
Pricing: Free (limited). Region bundles from €3.99. Subscription from €4.99/month.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
4. OS Maps — Best for UK Hikers Crossing the Border
OS Maps is the official app from Ordnance Survey Great Britain and is excellent for hiking in Northern Ireland and Britain. However, its coverage stops at the border — it doesn’t include OSi maps for the Republic of Ireland, which makes it a poor choice as your primary app if you’re hiking across the island.
It’s worth noting that HiiKER includes both OSNI (Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland) and OSi maps under a single PRO+ subscription, effectively making it a better option even for those hiking on both sides of the border.
Best for: Hikers based in Northern Ireland or the UK who primarily hike in Britain.
Pricing: From £3.99/month or £23.99/year.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
5. ViewRanger / Outdooractive — Honourable Mention
ViewRanger was once one of the most loved hiking apps in Ireland and the UK, known for its excellent map integration and clean interface. It was acquired by Outdooractive and has since been folded into that platform. Many former ViewRanger users have found the transition jarring, and the new app has faced criticism for its complexity and pricing model.
Outdooractive does have a broad trail database and some good European mapping, but it has never quite recaptured what made ViewRanger special. If you’re a former ViewRanger user looking for a new home, HiiKER is widely regarded as the closest match in terms of map quality and navigation focus.
Best for: Existing Outdooractive users with a large saved route library.
Pricing: From €2.99/month.
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web
Which App Should Irish Hikers Choose?
For most Irish hikers, the answer comes down to what kind of hiking you do and how seriously you take navigation.
If you’re taking on Ireland’s mountains — Carrauntoohil, Errigal, Brandon, Lugnaquilla, Slieve Donard — you need proper topographic maps. OSi and EastWest Mapping are the standard, and HiiKER is the only app that gives you both under a single affordable subscription, alongside a full suite of navigation and planning tools.
If you’re primarily walking on waymarked trails or looking for inspiration for your next walk, AllTrails or Komoot are perfectly capable companions.
But if you want the complete package — the best maps, proper offline navigation, route planning, and safety tools — HiiKER PRO+ is the clear choice for Ireland in 2026.
Download HiiKER free today and explore Ireland’s trails with the maps they deserve.