Best Hiking GPS Trackers- Navigate Trails With Confidence

When you’re out hiking, it can be easy to get lost—especially if not on a well-established trail. GPS devices with digital compasses and , however, can be part of the solution to keeping track of where you are and ensuring you don’t get lost, especially when used in combination with a map, compass, and other navigational skills. When you first start looking at a GPS tracker for hiking, however, it can be easy to be overwhelmed.

Fortunately, we’re here to help! Let’s look at the features you should consider in a hiking GPS tracking system, as well as what other hiking tips you should keep in mind when out adventuring. That way you can make an informed decision when researching handheld GPS devices before your next big outdoor adventure. But let’s first start by discussing what GPS handheld units are and discuss some of their features!

What Are GPS Trackers For Hiking?

GPS trackers for hiking are devices that use satellite technology to track and record the location of hikers. These mini GPS systems can provide a variety of advanced features such as real-time location tracking, route planning, waypoint marking, and more, which can be useful for both solo and group hikes. They are commonly used for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, hunting, and many more.

When it comes to hiking GPS trackers, there are numerous options to consider. For instance, how important is the battery life? If you normally only take short day hikes of a half-day or less, battery life will be far less important than if you are considering a personal locator for hiking multi-day backpacking trips. Similarly, if most of your hiking is in front country or small local parks, you will have far less need of the ability to call for search and rescue help than if you’re regularly backcountry skiing, rock climbing, or otherwise spending time in remote or dangerous areas.

That means there is a wide range of options, depending on what you need. Let’s look at some of the best GPS trackers for hiking, however, so you can an informed choice.

Top 10 GPS Trackers for Hiking

Garmin GPSMAP 78sc

Features:

High-sensitivity receiver for improved tracking in challenging environments
3-axis electronic compass and barometric altimeter for accurate navigation
Waterproof and floating design for use on land and water
Built-in 8 megapixel camera and microSD card slot for storing photos and maps
Worldwide shaded relief basemap and the ability to add additional maps

This is our favorite waterproof GPS model, with the added benefit of floating, so if you drop it in the water, it won’t be lost or damaged. Additional fun features include an electronic compass and barometric altimeter, wireless route sharing, and 2.6-inch color TFT display.

Garmin Rino 755t

Features:

Dual-band (FRS/GMRS) radio with a range of up to 14 miles
5 W FRS/GMRS, 2 W GMRS, and 1 W FRS
High-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver with preloaded TOPO maps
3-inch sunlight-readable color display with dual-orientation capability
Wireless connectivity for sharing locations, waypoints, and tracks with other Rino users
8MP autofocus camera with flash and the ability to geotag your photos
Barometric altimeter and 3-axis electronic compass for accurate navigation

One of the most reliable GPS models, the 5-watt FRS/GMRS 2-way radio is an additional nice touch, as is the 8-megapixel autofocus camera, electronic compass, accelerometer, and barometric altimeter.

Garmin eTrex 30x

Features:

High-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support for improved tracking
2.2-inch color display with a durable, sunlight-readable design
Expandable memory with a microSD card slot for loading additional maps
Wireless connectivity for sharing waypoints, tracks, and routes with other compatible devices
Preloaded worldwide basemap with shaded relief and the ability to add additional maps, such as TOPO and BirdsEye satellite imagery

The increased internal memory is great for holding more maps, and the barometric altimeter is great for tracking your elevation gain and descent. The 2.2-inch display has great resolution, and the shaded relief is a nice touch on the base map screen. (The eTrex 20x is also a worthwhile option, but we’re just a little partial to the 30x.)

Garmin Oregon 600

Features:

3-inch sunlight-readable, dual-orientation color touchscreen display
Wireless connectivity for sharing waypoints, tracks, and routes with other compatible devices
Preloaded worldwide basemap and the ability to add additional maps, such as TOPO and BirdsEye satellite imagery
Rugged, waterproof design for use in various outdoor conditions
Built-in camera with geotagging capabilities
Expandable memory with a microSD card slot for loading additional maps
Customizable interface with the ability to add and arrange data fields, and a dual-battery system (3 AA batteries or an optional rechargeable battery pack)

This might be our favorite touchscreen display, and the dual battery system (either a NiMH battery back or 2 AA batteries will power it) is a nice touch, too.

DeLorme inReach Explorer

Features:

2-way satellite communication for messaging, tracking, and SOS capabilities
100% global coverage through the Iridium satellite network
Built-in GPS and navigation with preloaded DeLorme topographic maps
Waterproof and impact-resistant design for use in various outdoor conditions
Long battery life of up to 100 hours in tracking mode and up to 30 days in power-saving mode
Customizable message templates and the ability to send and receive messages with any cell phone number or email address
Built-in compass, barometer, and accelerometer
Online trip-planning and management tools
Option to add weather forecast service

With 100 hours of battery life, the inReach Explorer is best for big adventures, and with the added features like satellite messaging and SOS tracking capabilities should you need SAR. Should you want to use it as a GPS tracker, you can, with reports anywhere from every 10 minutes to every 4 hours. While the screen is small (only 1.8 inches), it’s one of the best big adventure units you could ever consider.

Garmin GPSMAP 62St

Features:

2.6-inch sunlight-readable, color display with dual-orientation capabilities
Rugged, waterproof design for use in various outdoor conditions
Expandable memory with a microSD card slot for loading additional maps
Built-in barometric altimeter and 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass
Customizable interface with the ability to add and arrange data fields
Long battery life of up to 20 hours in GPS mode

One of the most rugged devices out there, the GPSMAP 62St is great even in bright sun (which can make many screens hard to read) and works well with Custom Maps, an app that allows you to turn paper maps into downloadable ones.

Read a detailed review on this GPS tracker for hiking on Trailspace.com

Garmin Foretrex 401

Features:

High-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support for improved tracking
Waterproof and rugged design for use in various outdoor conditions
2.6-inch monochrome display with a user-friendly interface
Long battery life of up to 17 hours in GPS mode
Built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter for accurate navigation
Built-in trip computer to track multiple data such as trip distance, time, and more
Customizable data fields and alerts
Ability to add additional maps with a microSD card (sold separately)

While admittedly not as feature-laden as some of the other Garmin devices on this list, the Foretrex 401 still offers plenty of bang—and at a lower price than most other comparable units, it’s probably the best budget GPS device.

Garmin Oregon 450t

Features

3-inch sunlight-readable, dual-orientation color touchscreen display
Preloaded worldwide basemap and the ability to add additional maps, such as TOPO and BirdsEye satellite imagery
Rugged, waterproof design for use in various outdoor conditions
Built-in camera with geotagging capabilities
Expandable memory with a microSD card slot for loading additional maps
Customizable interface with the ability to add and arrange data fields
Dual battery system (2 AA batteries or an optional rechargeable battery pack)

One of our favorite backcountry GPS trackers, the Oregon 450t may lack some of the extra features of the inReach Explorer, but in exchange offers waterproof protection.

Garmin GPSMAP 64St

Features:

2.6-inch sunlight-readable, color display with dual-orientation capabilities
Preloaded worldwide basemap and the ability to add additional maps, such as TOPO and BirdsEye satellite imagery
Rugged, waterproof design for use in various outdoor conditions
Expandable memory with a microSD card slot for loading additional maps
Customizable interface with the ability to add and arrange data fields
Long battery life of up to 16 hours in GPS mode
Wireless connectivity for downloading software updates, geocaching GPX files, and connecting with other compatible devices

Perhaps the only drawback is the 16-hour battery life—and even that is plenty long enough for most one-day adventures. With dual battery systems (rechargeable NiMH battery pack or 2 AA batteries), 8 GB of expandable internal memory, and a beautiful 2.6-inch display, it just doesn’t get any better.

Garmin Montana 680

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Features:

4-inch dual-orientation, sunlight-readable color touchscreen display
Preloaded worldwide basemap and the ability to add additional maps, such as TOPO and BirdsEye satellite imagery
Rugged, waterproof design for use in various outdoor conditions
Expandable memory with a microSD card slot for loading additional maps
Built-in 8-megapixel autofocus camera with geotagging capabilities
Customizable interface with the ability to add and arrange data fields
Dual battery system (2 AA batteries or an optional rechargeable battery pack)
Wireless connectivity for downloading software updates, geocaching GPX files, and connecting with other compatible devices

Of course, the Montana 680 offers nearly as many great features in addition to an 8-megapixel camera, 250,000 pre-loaded geocaches, and Track Manager to help keep your waypoints organized. As a result, this is definitely the best option for geocaching and possibly the best option for orienteering or navigation competitions as well.

You’ll note that there are quite a few Garmin models on that list—9 out of the 10. The truth is that there are a few other brands that also make good GPS tracker for hiking options (DeLorme, for instance, which had the 10^th model on the list, as well as Spot and Magellan, both of which make some great GPS trackers). Garmin simply offers the best choices, and that was reflected in our list.

Related Article: Best Wireless GPS Trackers For 2023

Hiking Tips

Of course, just having a great handheld GPS hiking tracker is not enough for getting the most out of your hiking adventures. Just keeping from getting lost, after all, won’t necessarily keep you from other potential issues.

So let’s look at some of the best advice you can consider to help ensure you make the most of your hiking trips, both staying safe and having an enjoyable time outside.

Among other things, we’ll look at the ten essentials, a framework first proposed by the Mountaineers (a Seattle-area mountain safety and education group) in the 1930s and since used in various forms by outdoor groups as varied as the Boy Scouts of America. These ten essentials aim to help outdoors people answer two basic questions:

Can you safely spend a night (or more) outside if an accident occurs or your time frame is different than what you originally planned for?
If you are involved in or come across an accident or emergency, can you respond positively?

Note that this framework helps ensure your self-sufficiency and responsibility as well as helps ensure that you would be able to help others if they need your help. We’ll look more at what that means, though, in just a moment. First, those 10 hiking tips for beginners!

Top 10 Hiking Tips for Beginners

Start small and with the right trail for your fitness. Until you have more experience, it’s hard to know how to estimate how long a hike might take you. In general, though, you should know that you won’t be able to walk as fast on hilly terrain or technical trails as you would on flat surfaces and that the trail itself may well determine how much you can. Start with an estimated pace of 2 miles per hour, then add at least an hour for every 1000 feet of gain on the trail. After you’ve been out a few more times, you’ll better be able to adjust your estimates, but at least at first, assume trails will take you longer than you think they will, and consider starting with some out-and-back trails until you get a better sense of your hiking fitness.
Do your research. Make sure you have the appropriate map, have read about the trail, and know what good scenic points are along the trail, for instance. You should also be aware of any trail junctions where you might make a wrong turn, for instance.
Check the weather. And know that it might change. This will help you pack appropriately.
Tell someone about your plans. Give them an itinerary and in addition to a time when you expect to be done, give them a time at which they’re allowed to start worrying. This is a good idea even if you carry a SPOT tracker or other PLB, or a hiking GPS tracker that includes an SOS option, for instance.
Pack your 10 essentials. (More on the 10 essentials in just a minute…)
Wear the right shoes and socks. It’ll take you a little bit to figure out the footwear system that works best for you, but no one likes getting blisters or wearing uncomfortable shoes. Also, good socks are worth it! (As is including blister materials in your first aid kit.)
Dress appropriately. As a general rule, “cotton is rotten” (it gets damp and stays damp), and light layers are important so you can layer up or layer down as weather or your effort changes. Similarly, as part of your 10 essentials, you should pack a few extra layers as appropriate.
Don’t overpack. There are plenty of ways to carry your 10 essentials and everything you need without overpacking. Simply pack the lighter versions where you have that option, such as a light rain jacket that you can also wear for warmth or wind protection, rather than one of each, or a travel tube of sunscreen rather than a 16-ounce bottle.
Pace yourself. It’s easy to get excited and hike hard early in the day. The problem with that is that you’re likely to bonk and run out of energy later in the day, especially as the sun gets hot and you’ve been out for a few hours. Instead, pick a pace you can keep all day and instead of getting miserable as you run out of energy later in the day, your smiles will stick around.
Leave no trace. Take the time to read up on the leave no trace (LNT) principles. The guiding motto of “take only pictures, leave only footprints” is one to keep in mind, but you should also take the time to learn the seven principles so that your time in the great outdoors is sustainable.

Now about the 10 essentials. Let’s look at the 10 things you should have with you on every hike, also known as the 10 essentials!

10 Essentials of Hiking – Everything You Should Know!

Navigation. Depending on where you are going, this may be a map, compass, GPS system, or (ideally) a combination of all three—as well as the knowledge of how to use each piece. You should be familiar with and comfortable using a topographical map, a compass, and your GPS unit so that you aren’t struggling should you find yourself lost in the backcountry.
Sun protection. This means sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. If you’re going to be out, you need to be able to protect yourself from the sun, especially if you aren’t used to being out for a long time or at the elevations you are hiking. Not only can the sun do tremendous damage to your skin, but it can also wear you out, overheat you, dehydrate you, and make keeping a good pace on your hike more difficult.
Insulation. Of course, you also need to be prepared if the weather isn’t hot and sunny, especially as weather can change quickly and unpredictably. You should have extra layers that reflect the most extreme weather conditions you could encounter. In the mountains, for instance, you might experience snow and hot sun within a few hours of each hour, and you need to be prepared for those sorts of temperature swings if it might occur in your hike area.
Illumination. For most hikers, this probably means a headlamp. Even if you are only expecting to be out for an afternoon hike, having a headlamp can save you if your hike runs late and it gets dark before you get back to your car. You should also remember extra batteries.
First Aid Supplies. Be sure to modify your kit to fit your surroundings and trip plan, too. Check expiration dates and replace items as needed, and if your first aid skills are rusty at all, consider including a small guide so you know what to do if faced with an unfamiliar medical emergency. (And if you’re someone that spends lots of time outside, consider taking a wilderness first aid or even wilderness first responder course. The skills you’ll gain are well worth the investment!)
Fire. Even if you are unlikely to need to make a fire, you should have materials so you could make a fire if you needed to, as it can be a good way to signal for help or stay warm on a cold night. We recommend waterproof matches, a few fire-starting materials (such as cotton balls soaked in vaseline and other lightweight fire materials), and a good lighter. (If you want to learn how to make fire with flint or friction, by all means—but if you ever have to make a fire in an emergency, you’ll want real fire-starting supplies with you.)
Repair kit and tools. Even just a few basic tools (such as a good multi-purpose tool like a Leatherman), some duct tape, and a knife can go a long way. A small mirror can also be great for both fire-starting (simply focusing the sun’s rays on a hot, sunny day) and signaling (flashing the mirror to reflect the sun at anyone out searching for you).
Food. This means above what you think your minimal needs will be. If you think it will be a 2-hour hike, for instance, but then you roll your ankle, do you have sufficient food to stay out until help can get to you? A general rule is an extra day’s supply of food on a day hike, preferably no-cook items that will help keep your energy up.
Water. This means above your minimal needs. Even if you aren’t carrying significantly more water than you think you will need, you should have ways to get water, such as a knowledge of where water is and the equipment to filter it, whether by packing a water filter or something similar and smaller, such as a Lifestraw or Steripen.
Shelter. Finally, if an emergency occurs, you should be able to comfortably spend the night out. While in some places an emergency space blanket (sleeping bags) may be enough, in other locations, you will need a tarp, bivy, or even a tent so you are prepared if you need to spend the night out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Handheld GPS On The Market?

So what’s the best handheld GPS on the market? Call it a cop-out if you must, but we’re of the opinion that the best handheld hiking GPS tracker is the one that helps encourage you to hike more and puts your mind at ease when you are out adventuring. Think about the features you need—whether that’s waypoints, navigational maps, satellite messaging, the ability to send an SOS signal, or whatever else—to best support your adventures.

Do you know the other advantage of our list above? Each of those 10 we chose is best for a particular feature or use. So, without further ado:

Best geocaching GPS: Garmin Montana 680
Best one-day adventure GPS: Garmin GPSMAP 64st
Best one-day backcountry GPS: Garmin Oregon 450t
Best budget GPS: Garmin Foretrex 401
Best rugged GPS: Garmin GPSMAP 62St
Best display: Garmin Oregon 600
Best battery life/best big adventure GPS: DeLorme inReach Explorer
Best multi-use GPS: Garmin eTrex 30x
Best reliable GPS: Garmin Rino 755t
Best waterproof GPS: Garmin GPSMAP 78sc

How Accurate Is The Most Accurate Hiking GPS?

Every GPS tracker for hiking will vary in accuracy . For instance, the oldest civilian GPS receivers may only be accurate within a fraction of a kilometer or a tenth of a mile, for instance. As newer models are readily available, however, GPS accuracy continues to improve. The newest cellular network GPS receivers, for instance, may be accurate within a few feet. Military applications may be even more accurate, though that information isn’t always readily available.

So while most currently available smartphones, for instance, are usually fairly accurate within a range of 5 meters or 16 feet. A GPS tracker for hiking may be of similar accuracy, depending on the model and the location in which you are using, as well as other surrounding factors (such as cloud cover, for instance). The biggest reason military applications are more accurate, however, is that they may use 2 receivers instead of 1, as (contrary to popular belief) the military does not degrade civilian GPS service as they once did, using Selective Availability in the 1990s.

Does Hiking On A Cloudy Day Affect My GPS?

No, clouds are not one of those things that affect GPS signals. In fact, if you’re out in the woods and notice a bit of cloud cover, that won’t be enough to disrupt your hiking GPS tracker.

Can Car GPS Be Used For Hiking?

The short answer? Probably not. That said, if your car GPS is a portable model, you might be able to use it in walking or pedestrian mode, which will optimize your route for walking rather than driving. If this is an option with your car GPS, simply switch to pedestrian mode and enter your destination and follow the prompts or directions just as you normally would. This still only works for street navigation, however, unless you have a specific crossover model. For extensive hiking, however, you’re going to be better off with a handheld GPS tracker for hiking.

(Another consideration: Most car GPS receivers have short battery lives, often less than a few hours, so if you do take your car GPS hiking, consider turning your unit off when not in active use.)