Ten years ago, it wasn’t hard to get lost on a hike: read the map wrong and you could wander too far into the woods or down the wrong trail. But over the last few years, digital tools like trackers and apps have made exploring the outdoors safer and more accessible. Whether you’re a casual hiker or experienced adventurer, this technology (combined with your analog hiking essentials) can help you navigate, communicate and handle emergencies, especially when you don’t have cell service. Finding your wayWaze and GoogleMaps often aren't that useful, even on a short hike, because they require a cell signal and often don’t have route information. To help you figure out which trail you’re on, or how much uphill you have left, you can turn to mapping technology specifically designed for all sorts of outdoor activities, including backpacking and skiing.

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