A smartphone takes a photo in the forestApplication used in the forest
©Application used in the forest|Pexels/Pixabay

The best apps for your nature outings in the Alps

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To find your next hike, identify an Alpine peak or an interesting shrub or find the name of a brightly shining star… Your carefully optimised telephone becomes a real Swiss Army knife. Here are our top nature applications.

Apps for preparing

For hiking, skiing or mountain bike outings

  • Visorando, Outdooractive or Chemins des Parcs (only on Android) for hiking. The first is a collaborative tool which lists more than 30,000 hikes. Find yours according to the length or difficulty. Visorando also serves as a satnav during your hike. The little extra of Chemins des Parcs: the application is run by the managers of Natural Regional Parks which guarantees reliable and official information on the routes.
  • Ski+ or Skitude: hop on your skis and launch Ski+! The ski tracking app follows your performance and compares it to that of thousands of other skiers, in the resort or all over the world. The Skitude application allows you to follow the news of the resorts in real time, see the maps of the runs or buy your ski pass…
  • MyTrails: (only on Android): another tracking GPS to monitor your performance and challenge you on hikes, walking or cycling.
Group hiking at Lac Autier in the MercantourGroup hiking with a guide at Lac Autier in the Mercantour National Park in the Alpes-Maritimes
©Group hiking with a guide at Lac Autier in the Mercantour National Park|ERondeau
    A hiker in UbayeHiking in Ubaye, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
    ©Hiking in Ubaye, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence|CGouron

      Apps to amaze you

      Wonder at the peaks, plants or birdsong

      • PeakFinder (paying): Don’t miss a single mythical summit! The application identifies the surrounding peaks for miles around. Just point your smartphone at the landscape. You can use it in camera mode and even in offline mode.
      • PlantNet: find out everything about plant life by simply identifying a plant with a photo, you can do it!
      • BirdNET: for real-time identification of the birds singing around you and finding out more about them. Pure magic!

      Apps for getting around and finding out where you are

      For carpooling, transport or cycling

      • Blablacar: useful for carpooling (and limiting the use of your car).
      • Moovit: get from point A to point B with local public transport and see real-time schedules.
      • Géovélo: useful if you’re exploring the Alps by bike, it shows the safest and most suitable itineraries.
      • MAPS.ME: download detailed maps which can be used offline so you can’t get lost.
      A compass used in the forestForest walks
      ©Forest walks|JStreet/Unsplash
        Snow-covered mountains in Saint-Crépin in the Hautes-AlpesSnow-covered mountains in Saint-Crépin in the Hautes-Alpes
        ©Snow-covered mountains in Saint-Crépin in the Hautes-Alpes |RVanRijn

          Apps for finding information and warning

          Weather forecast, snow cover and the state of the trails

          • Météo France: for accurate forecasts and snow and avalanche bulletins.
          • Skiinfo: to consult the state of the runs and snow cover in real-time and see photos of the runs in your favourite resorts.
          • SAIP (Suricate): set up by the government, the application is designed to allow people doing outdoor activities to report a problem (source of pollution, conflict of use, erroneous signposting or defective equipment).

          Apps to eat well and dream

          • LaFourchette (TheFork): Feeling peckish? Book a nearby restaurant easily
          • Star Walk 2: identify the stars in real-time by pointing your telephone at the sky. The Alpine sky is one of the purest in Europe – you’re in the right place!
          • Our website provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/alpes/, the ULTIMATE guide for finding the best things to do in the Alps 🙂
          Massif and starry skiesThe Alpine sky is one of the purest in Europe
          ©The Alpine sky is one of the purest in Europe|PBotha/Unsplash

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