All Trails Basics
Following a recent Zoom workshop on using GPS tracks, a series of short articles will follow, this one on recording a track, opening a track, and following a track.
You can download and install All Trails on your mobile for free. You can use the free version or upgrade for more features.
To Record a Track
- Open All Trails at the trailhead
- Tap record
- Hike and when its done, tap the Record button again, then Save.
- At that point you can rate your recording, name it, etc. before finally saving the track.
- Your app and phone will synch the recording with your account so you can also access it at home on your PC.
Loading a Track
- If it was your own track, you can click the History button to see your former tracks.
- To find someone else’s track, you can tap the Record button then the load map button to search for nearby tracks/maps to load.
- You can also tap the Explore button to find a nearby trail. Click the Download button to add it to your mobile.
- When you download or Add a Recording you can access a map file, click the Directions button to see how to get there, or share with someone else.
- You can also load someone else’s track by tapping Profile, choosing another person (someone you have already linked with) and then History.
Following a track
- Download the track you want to use.
- Tap Record at the start of your hike.
- Both tracks will be displayed, with the downloaded track showing as more opaque.
Link Your Recording to the Trail
- Tap history and pick the recording.
- Tap Select a Trail under Recording Linked to
Saving Battery Life
- Lock your device after tapping the recording button.
- Use Airplane mode to avoid your phone’s regular checking online data.
- Turn down the backlit screen.
- Carry a battery charger.
Managing your Recordings
- Install the All Trails app on your PC
- Login and click History.
- There are various functions that can be done from that point. The mobile app has limited choices, but the PC app has more functions to support your data management needs.