Free walking maps online - what do you use?

buglawton

Up to now I've found streetmap.co.uk useful - OS maps showing most UK footpaths with a 'where am I now' button that puts a pointer on your map showing where you are using your phone's GPS.

More recently I've found http://m0.footpathmaps.com/ which is a fast to access full OS map of the UK. It's 'where am I button' only centers the map, no pointer however.

I know about the official OS app but have heard nothing but criticism about it, Very expensive map sections, difficult to back up/restore, buggy etc. but it does work offline.

I am surprised that the all pervasive Google Maps does not have footpaths - by tracking people's phones (perhaps via an opt-in option) surely it could detect all walking (and cycling) rights of way by using the speed of travel and fact that no traffic is nearby. Google does something similar already for traffic congestion info.

What do you use, any better suggestions than the above?

DavidT67

Try this the "Where's The Path" App "wtp2 dot appspot dot com"

Google Maps doesn't understand UK Public Rights of Way rules and byway classifications.

Anything based on OpenStreetMaps will server you much better for route planning.

paddyrg

On Google Maps I use the satellite view and sometimes you can see where the footpaths go!

esuhl

A good map for seeing footpaths and bridlepaths is OpenCycleMap (which is based on OpenStreetMap).

There are probably some good apps that use OpenCycleMap maps -- maybe worth having a search to see if you can find one that does what you want?

buglawton

DavidT67 wrote: »

Try this the "Where's The Path" App "wtp2 dot appspot dot com"

Google Maps doesn't understand UK Public Rights of Way rules and byway classifications.

Anything based on OpenStreetMaps will server you much better for route planning.

WTP appears to be an api link to OS maps - I got 'daily limit reached' when I visited it.

buglawton

Update: I've chanced across what seems to be a free app where you can download offline UK maps that includes walking/cycling rights of way. It's the first offline (or any) app I've tried that actually routes you along footpaths instead of along roads/major walking routes only like Google Maps does.
App is called maps.me

indesisiv

I actually use memory map and it works really well .. albeit not free.

I also came across this a while back when looking at the cleveland way.
It has a quirk that you can zoom in and see the OS map (Down to 1:25k) of any part of the country.
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cleveland-way/plan

wazza99

Viewranger, hands down best walking app out there, O/S maps works great but do have to be purchased.