Gaia GPS
  • Explore The Map
  • Get the App
  • Upgrade Today
  • Explore The Map Catalog
  • New Features
    • Gaia GPS

      The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia…

      April 24, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,…

      March 18, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia…

      December 12, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Goodbye Clutter, Hello Streamlined Maps: Introducing Sync to…

      November 26, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

      August 15, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      2023 Mapped: Our Best New Features of the…

      December 27, 2023

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Adventure Easier Than Ever with New Map…

      July 27, 2023

    • New Maps
      • Gaia GPS

        Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,…

        March 18, 2025

        Gaia GPS

        Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

        August 15, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Find Prime Viewing for Total Solar Eclipse with…

        March 27, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        See the World More Clearly with New Gaia…

        May 18, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Gaia Classic: The Only Map You’ll Ever Need?

        May 4, 2023

        Backcountry Skiing

        Find Backcountry Skiing in Gaia Winter Map

        January 11, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Our Favorite New Maps and Features

        December 23, 2022

  • Activities
    • Backcountry Skiing
    • Boating
    • Emergency Response
    • Fishing
    • Offroading
  • Adventures
    • User Stories
  • Help
Top Posts
Battling the Wind: Setting Your Shocks to Firm...
The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia...
A Fond Farewell to National Geographic Maps —...
Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,...
Download the app and get a free 14-day...
Gaia GPS is Improving Satellite Imagery: Saying Goodbye...
How I Used Gaia GPS to Navigate Italy
Gaia GPS x Toyota: A New Way to...
Download Gaia GPS– iOS & Android App
Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia...
Gaia GPS
  • Explore The Map
  • Get the App
  • Upgrade Today
  • Explore The Map Catalog
  • New Features
    • Gaia GPS

      The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia…

      April 24, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,…

      March 18, 2025

      Gaia GPS

      Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia…

      December 12, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Goodbye Clutter, Hello Streamlined Maps: Introducing Sync to…

      November 26, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

      August 15, 2024

      Gaia GPS

      2023 Mapped: Our Best New Features of the…

      December 27, 2023

      Gaia GPS

      Discover Adventure Easier Than Ever with New Map…

      July 27, 2023

    • New Maps
      • Gaia GPS

        Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,…

        March 18, 2025

        Gaia GPS

        Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

        August 15, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Find Prime Viewing for Total Solar Eclipse with…

        March 27, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        See the World More Clearly with New Gaia…

        May 18, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Gaia Classic: The Only Map You’ll Ever Need?

        May 4, 2023

        Backcountry Skiing

        Find Backcountry Skiing in Gaia Winter Map

        January 11, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Our Favorite New Maps and Features

        December 23, 2022

  • Activities
    • Backcountry Skiing
    • Boating
    • Emergency Response
    • Fishing
    • Offroading
  • Adventures
    • User Stories
  • Help

New Maps

Gaia GPSNew Maps

Map Updates: MVUM, and USFS Roads and Trails

by Corey Buhay April 10, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

We’re excited to announce some great updates to two map layers from the USFS: the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), and the Roads and Trails layer. These updates include improvements to the style of the maps, as well as improved data.

To improve map readability, we created more polished, more compatible styles for both layers. The new styles adopts the same symbology used by the U.S. Forest Service on their PDF maps, making it easier to cross-reference your paper backups with your layered maps in Gaia GPS.

To improve the data, we re-rendered the maps to add more trails to the MVUM overlay, and added both snow-only and water-only (canoe and boating) routes to the USFS Roads and Trails layer.

Style Updates to the USFS Roads and Trails Overlay

For USFS Roads and Trails, the update declutters the map. Thoughtfully designed trail styles reduce visual overlap of nearby routes, letting you view more possibilities at a higher zoom level.

The symbology is also more intuitive. For example, a series of progressively dashed and dotted lines delineate trail accessibility by vehicle type. They’re also color-coded to distinguish snow- and water-only routes from maintained trails.

The new symbology is similar to what you might find in USFS Visitor maps, allowing you to mesh these maps together without having to reference separate legends.

Style Updates to the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) Overlay

You’ll find similar style updates in the MVUM overlay. The result is a cleaner, more efficient navigation experience and better integration with other maps, including USFS Roads and Trails. Roads are now labeled by road ID number instead of name to better correlate with the signage you’re likely to encounter in the field.

To view map keys for either overlay, visit the Gaia GPS Map Legends page.

How to Use the MVUM and USFS Roads and Trails Maps

Both the MVUM overlay and the USFS Roads and Trails overlay are available to users with a Premium Membership. You can find them in the Feature/Weather Overlays category of the map manager.

If you’ve already downloaded the layer, delete and re-add it to see the updated styling.

We recommend using the MVUM overlay in conjunction with USFS Roads and Trails to make sure you’re looking at all the possibilities available to you. Since the maps come from different datasets, the MVUM overlay contains routes unavailable in USFS Roads and Trails, and vice versa.

These maps are transparent overlays that contain only linear features marking roads, trails, and other routes. As such, they’re best used layered over Gaia Topo, satellite imagery, or any other base map of your choice.

April 10, 2019
1 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Gaia GPSNew Maps

See More Stars: Light Pollution Map from Gaia GPS

by Corey Buhay April 3, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Find dark skies and build an epic stargazing or meteor-watching session into your next overnight trip with the new worldwide Light Pollution Map.

The Light Pollution Map makes it easy to find isolated wilderness, quiet campsites, and unparalleled views of the stars. It’s especially useful for viewing this summer’s upcoming Eta Aquarids and Perseids Meteor Showers. 

Use the Light Pollution source as a base map, or adjust the transparency to layer it with any of your favorite maps in Gaia GPS.

How it Works

Sourced from NASA satellite data, the map is based on light levels measured on cloudless nights between 2012 and 2016. Brightly colored areas represent places most affected by light pollution, and dark skies indicate those farthest from artificial light sources.

Because the result is an average of many measurements, this map is best used at higher zoom levels, to give you a general idea of how light pollution might affect the trips and campsites you’re considering.

The satellite imagery used to create this map was provided by services from the Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), which is operated by NASA’s Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project.

Use the Light Pollution Map to Find Dark Skies

The Light Pollution Map is available to both iOS and Android users with Premium Memberships. Look for it in the Feature/Weather Overlays category of the map manager.

We recommend viewing the map at 100% opacity, then adjusting it to 60 to 70 percent to improve visibility of the underlying topo once you’ve narrowed in on a particular location.

Other Resources

The International Dark Sky Association is another great resource for finding hiking and camping spots with unobstructed stargazing. The IDA awards dark sky designations to places with “exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment.” You can view the full list of International Dark Sky Parks here. Then, use Gaia GPS Hike Search to find hikes in the places you want to visit.

April 3, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Gaia GPSNew Maps

Pacific Crest Trail Maps Available in Gaia GPS, Starting with Washington

by Corey Buhay March 26, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

In 2017, renowned thru-hiker and mapmaker Lon Cooper (Halfmile) partnered with National Geographic to craft meticulously accurate maps of the Pacific Crest Trail. We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve joined that historic partnership to bring you those same PCT maps in Gaia GPS.

We’re rolling out the maps one state at a time, starting with Washington. The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map layer currently details a 10-mile-wide trail corridor of the PCT as it stretches from the Canadian border to the Columbia River. In it, you’ll find everything from labeled terrain features and amenities, to points of interest, annotated mileages, and hand-curated notes from Halfmile’s original maps.

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ScreenRecording_01-11-2019-14-07-51.mp4

What is the Pacific Crest Trail?

The PCT traces the spine of the western coastal ranges, carving out a 2,650-mile trail that winds through some of the most storied landscapes of Washington, Oregon, and California. Traditionally, the trail begins at the California/Mexico border and finds its terminus at the Canadian border. In between, it connects desert, volcanic slopes, temperate rainforest, and the rocky alpine crown of the High Sierra.

The PCT was originally conceived of in the 1920s, and has since become the stuff of both American heritage and recent pop culture. Its length and variety makes it ideal for staging day-hikes and section-hikes of any shape and size, in addition to end-to-end hikes. These full-length hikes, called thru-hikes, take most people four to six months to complete. According to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, just 6,636 people have completed the entire trail.

Why National Geographic Maps?

National Geographic consistently sets the standard for quality and accuracy in outdoor recreation mapping. The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map is a perfect example. All information is fact-checked and reviewed by long-distance hikers, local land managers, and NatGeo’s own cartographic editing team. The layer also uses a trail-centered map format specially designed for long trails.

This PCT map stands out for its comprehensive campsite coverage. Unlike other maps, this one labels both official and unofficial campsites, and marks over-camped spots. If land managers report that a campsite is heavily impacted by human traffic and no longer recommended for camping, the NatGeo PCT map uses a grayed-out tent icon to indicate discouraged use.

How to Use the NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail Map

The NatGeo Pacific Crest Trail map source is available to any Gaia GPS user with a Premium Membership. To add, simply open the United States category in the map manager. Then tap the plus sign next to the NatGeo PCT map layer. Because NatGeo maps are extremely detailed, we recommend using this one as a primary base map under any of your favorite weather forecasts or feature overlays.

You can find other tips for using Gaia GPS to navigate on thru-hikes and extended backpacking trips here.

More to Come

Keep an eye out for Oregon and California PCT maps, which we plan to add in the coming months. When complete, this will be the second prong of the Triple Crown to be included in the Gaia GPS map catalog. (We added the full NatGeo Appalachian Trail maps in 2018.)

March 26, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
FeaturedGaia GPSHuntingNew Maps

Seek Out the Wild with the New Wilderness Areas Map Overlay

by Corey Buhay February 28, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

In the U.S., a wilderness area is officially defined as a place “retaining its primeval character and influence,” a place “untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” As such, wilderness areas are the gold standard for conservation, preservation, and experiencing nature in its rawest form.

But in the developed American landscape, true wilderness can be hard to find. That’s why Gaia GPS created the new Wilderness Areas Map Overlay. Now, getting your next dose of deep-woods solitude is a whole lot easier.

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/TEmplate_1-1.mp4

Why Find Wilderness?

Research has proven time and time again that nature is good for human health. But not all nature is created equal. In fact, some newer studies suggest that the deeper you go, the stronger the effect of nature on stress reduction. That means that out of every land management type, wilderness is the most effective medicine.

Plus, wilderness areas come with their own rules and restrictions, so whether you’re looking for guaranteed primitive experience or just trying to make sure you’re using a drone, 4×4 vehicle, or snowmobile legally, it’s a good idea to know where the boundaries are. With the Wilderness Areas Overlay, you can pinpoint those spots with ease.

How to Use the Wilderness Areas Overlay

The Wilderness Areas map overlay is currently available to Premium Members on Android and iOS platforms, as well as on gaiagps.com. Go to the Feature/Weather Overlay category of the map manager, and add the Wilderness Areas Overlay atop any of your favorite base maps. We recommend using the layer in conjunction with the Roadless Areas Overlay to find even deeper solitude, or adding the Snowfall Forecast or Precipitation Forecast Overlays to help you plan your trip.

In iOS, the layer is interactive. Tap on any wilderness to view the area’s land manager, acreage, and the year it was established, or to discover the best hikes within that zone

All boundary, land area, and land management information is sourced from the nationwide database of www.wilderness.net, a public information hub dedicated to United States wilderness areas.

February 28, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
AdventuresGaia GPSNew Maps

9 Reasons to Adventure in Japan (And the Best Map to Get You There)

by Corey Buhay February 14, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Volcanic mountain ranges, hot springs, and world-class powder skiing are enough to put Japan on any adventure traveler’s map. Next time you’re considering an international vacation, here are a few reasons Japan should make your short list.

1) Downloadable topo maps mean it’s easy to navigate.

Whether you’re sightseeing, snorkeling, skiing, or hiking in Japan, you can find your way with the Japan Topo map, downloaded straight to your phone via the Gaia GPS app.

Sourced from the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan, Japan Topo includes contour lines, roads, trails, regional boundaries, and points of interest. It’s currently available to both Gaia GPS Members and Premium Members. We recommend pairing it with the Outdoors topo map, which contains labels in the English alphabet.

2) Japan has its own Alps.

The Japanese Alps, a chain of stunning 10,000-foot peaks, forms the crown of Honshu, the country’s largest island. The region’s trails and national parks make it the epicenter of hiking in Japan.

3) It’s home to thousands of hot springs, or “Onsen.”

Nothing says Japan vacation quite like a dip in one of these traditional hot springs. Credit Japan’s prime real estate along the Ring of Fire for its over 2,500 bubbling mineral pools. Hike to one, or find a resort to relax sore muscles aprés adventure.

Map Tip: Many hot springs, or onsen, are labeled on the Japan Topo base map. Use the Hot Spring icon to find them. (All icons are in the map key on the Gaia GPS Map Legends page.)

4) Climbing Mt. Fuji is a hiker’s rite of passage.

Summit one of the world’s most iconic volcanoes with the hike up 12,389-foot Mt. Fuji, the tallest peak in the country. Plan your climb for July through mid-September while temperatures are moderate and trails are open.

5) Japan powder skiing is legendary.

In lists of the snowiest cities in the world, Japanese towns regularly take silver and bronze (coming in just behind Valdez, Alaska—no surprise there) with 200 to 300 inches per year. Add that to the country’s hilly interior, and you get world-class skiing both inbounds and off-piste.

Map Tip: You can scout out ski resorts in Japan by looking for lift lines (the straight lines on Japan Topo or colored runs on Outdoor Topo. See both below).

6) It has coral reefs.

World War II-era shipwrecks, Pacific reefs, and abundant marine life make Japan just as beautiful offshore as on. The Ogasawara Islands offer divers and snorkelers with Carribbean-blue waters, sandy beaches, and pristine rocky shorelines. You’ll also find a number of national parks on the country’s northwest islands.

7) “Forest bathing” is a thing.

Nature lovers, welcome home. Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing” is the practice of taking in your natural surroundings as a way to reduce stress and promote health and wellbeing. The term was coined in the 1980s, but it reflects a more longstanding cultural appreciation of nature, as well as the value of the Japan’s forested regions and rich biodiversity.

8) Every season puts on a show.

If you can’t plan a vacation to Japan during winter’s fairytale snowfall or summer high season, don’t despair. The fall color show and spring’s famed cherry blossoms (blooming January through May, depending on the region) are just as big of a draw.

9) It’s got history you can hike.

Japan is home to thousands of cultural and historical sites you can visit on foot. The Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, for example, connects temples and shrines in the Kii mountain range. It’s one of the country’s 22 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and a great way to experience local history while hiking in Japan.

Map Tip: Use the Japan Topo legend to identify shrines, temples, and historical sites. The map below shows one of each, plus a hot spring.

February 14, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
AndroidApp UpdatesCompany NewsGaia GPSHow-ToiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

New Map Overlay: Explore Canada Trails with Gaia GPS

by Corey Buhay February 6, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

Canada is home to 47 national parks and hundreds of provincial and territorial parks, all crossed and interconnected by world-class trails. Now, you can explore all of them with Gaia GPS.

Thanks to a new trails overlay from award-winning Canadian mapmaker Backroad Mapbooks (BRMB), the Gaia GPS map catalogue includes more detailed coverage of Canada than ever before. Whether you’re planning an expedition to the Arctic Circle, exploring the sky-splitting Canadian Rockies, or taking a day hike outside Montreal, the BRMB Canada Trails Overlay has you covered.

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/BRMB-Trails-1.mp4

Color Coded for Route Planning at a Glance

The BRMB Canada Trails overlay includes over 70,000 miles of trail, including the country’s well-known behemoth, the 11,635-mile Trans-Canada Trail. All routes are color coded to indicate both their intended use and seasonal availability, making it easy to zero in on the destinations that are right for you.

Part of a Complete Package of Canada Maps

The addition of the BRMB Canada Trails overlay rounds out Gaia GPS’s existing rolodex of Canada maps. That collection includes ESRI World satellite imagery, precise contour line overlays (in both meters and feet), and the Canada Topo base map, in addition to the highly detailed Backroad Mapbooks Canada base map.

Adventurers in British Columbia can also access interactive overlays showing recent wildfires and timber cuts across the province for even more accurate route planning.

Available to Premium Members

The Backroad Mapbooks Trails overlay is available to Gaia GPS users with a Premium Membership both in the app and online at gaiagps.com. We recommend layering it atop the Backroad Mapbooks Canada base map for a complete and encyclopedic picture of the Canadian backcountry.

February 6, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
FeaturedGaia GPSHuntingNew Maps

Unlock New Routes with the USFS Roads and Trails Overlay

by Corey Buhay January 14, 2019
written by Corey Buhay

An overlay featuring backroads, forgotten trails, and brand-new routes currently unavailable on any other Gaia GPS map, USFS Roads and Trails expands your possibilities. Use it to explore the backcountry, and add it to your repertoire of tools for building the ultimate customized map.

The USFS Roads and Trails overlay displays a web of roads and trails sourced from official U.S. Forest Service data, and uses a color-coded scale to indicate how developed each road or trail is. In iOS, it’s also interactive: Tap a pathway in the app to get information on its width, surface type, and vehicle clearance requirements.

Because this layer is updated more frequently than the more expansive USFS topo maps, it’s a useful resource for discovering new trails that don’t yet exist on those maps, as well as for checking the status of old ones.

This new overlay is designed to supplement Open Street Map data with government-verified information. It’s an ideal supplement for existing Gaia GPS topo maps in addition to the USFS Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) overlay, as the USFS Roads and Trails layer is derived from a separate dataset. It therefore covers some areas unavailable on the MVUM overlay, and vice versa.

How to Use the USFS Roads and Trails Overlay

The USFS Roads and Trails overlay is available for iOS and Android users as well as on gaiagps.com. It will be updated four times per year as the USFS releases new information.

To access the layer, find it in the Feature/Weather Overlays category of the map manager. Then, add it atop any of your favorite base maps to see available routes clearly picked out against the background of your choosing. This and other detailed map layers are currently available to those with a Premium Membership.

You can find the legend below as well as on the Gaia GPS Map Legends page.

January 14, 2019
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
AndroidApp UpdatesFeaturedGaia GPSHuntingiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Streamline Your Navigation with the Satellite Topo Base Map

by Corey Buhay December 13, 2018
written by Corey Buhay

Combine the best features of the Gaia Topo base map with ESRI world satellite imagery on a single, easy-to-use layer. Ideal for everything from planning backcountry ski tours to scouting off-trail routes up desert washes, the new Satellite Topo map promises to become Gaia GPS’s most versatile base map yet.

The seamless marriage of satellite imagery and clear contour lines gives backcountry skiers an accurate picture of avalanche slide paths, and lets backpackers and overlanders view tree cover and slope steepness for easier campsite scouting. The combination also illuminates terrain obstacles for both climbers and hikers, making it easier to find descents and reroutes, devise new linkups, and formulate emergency exit strategies on the fly. No matter what you do, the Satellite Topo map will leave you better informed and better prepared.

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/SATTopo.mp4

What is the Satellite Topo Map?

Satellite Topo is a base map designed to combine the popular way-finding features of Gaia Topo with a high-resolution picture of the landscape. To achieve that, Gaia GPS removed the plain background from Gaia Topo. We then replaced it with high-resolution imagery from ESRI, an international supplier of geographical information and satellite photography.

The result is a network of clearly marked roads and trails, labeled terrain features, and distinct contour lines (all sourced from OpenStreetMap data) on a background that perfectly resembles the world around you. Essentially, the combination streamlines your navigational workflow by bringing the map one step closer to your reality.

How to Use it

The Satellite Topo base map is available in two versions: meters and feet. It’s accessible to Premium Members on iOS and Android platforms as well as on gaiagps.com. To use it, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Layers Menu and navigate to the Satellite Imagery catgory.
  2. Click the plus sign next to the Satellite Topo map in your preferred unit of measurement to turn it on.
  3. Slip the map beneath any of your favorite overlays in place of your existing base map.
December 13, 2018
0 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
App UpdatesGaia GPSHow-ToHuntingiOSNew FeaturesNew Maps

Plan Your Winter Adventure with the Snowfall Forecast Overlay

by Corey Buhay November 30, 2018
written by Corey Buhay

Whether you’re chasing powder or just trying to avoid a day of postholing in two feet of fresh, the new 24-, 48-, and 72-hour Snowfall Forecast overlays make it easy to dial in your winter trip prep.

Available for both iOS users as well as on gaiagps.com, the Snowfall Forecast overlays use color-coded shading to show the expected snow accumulation. That makes it easy to plan ski trips, pick the right traction and flotation for winter hikes, and assess avalanche conditions. Just combine the Snowfall Forecast overlay with your base map of choice (and, if you’re doing avy analysis, the slope-angle shading overlay.)

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Snow-Overlay.mp4

Snowfall Predictions Updated Every 6 Hours

The Snowfall Forecast overlays draw data directly from the Winter Weather Desk of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Weather Prediction Center. The Winter Weather Desk uses a combination of predictive models to create its forecasts, which the National Weather Service then reviews and refines. The collaborating teams constantly refresh their models, providing updated reports every six hours.

The forecasts can accurately predict snow accumulation as far as three days (72 hours) in advance, and they cover all of the continental U.S. as well as parts of southern Canada.

How to Use the Snowfall Forecast Overlay

These overlays derive their predictions from NOAA’s probabilistic weather forecasts, which calculate the percent likelihood that a certain amount of snow will accumulate over a given time period. Gaia GPS uses NOAA’s 50th percentile forecasts. That means there’s a 50-percent chance that each shaded area will receive the indicated amount of snow accumulation during the forecast period. (This may seem low, but it gives the user the best estimate of land area likely to be affected by snow. For that reason, it’s the percentile most commonly shown on other popular forecasting sites.)

Add the Snowfall Forecast Overlay to Any Map in Gaia GPS

Available for gaiagps.com and iOS users with Premium Memberships, the Snowfall Forecast overlays can be viewed with an internet connection. Since the forecasts are always changing, they can’t be downloaded for offline use. However, when you look at the snowfall forecast in the app, your device will cache snapshots of the areas you viewed. The cached data will remain available on your device for 24 hours.

From the Map Sources menu, navigate to the Feature/Weather Overlays category. Pick the forecast overlay that suits your planning needs, and add it atop any base map. Set the transparency to between 30 and 40 percent for optimal visibility.

Check out this video for more tips on adding new map sources in the app:

A Note on Safety

Weather forecasts make great planning tools, but you should always research the terrain and alternate routes ahead of time, and cross-reference any forecast you use with several others for the most accurate predictions. And no matter what the reports say, plan for inclement weather, just in case.

November 30, 2018
1 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Gaia GPSHuntingNew Maps

Use the Roadless and Trailless Areas Overlays to Find Solitude at a Glance

by Corey Buhay November 19, 2018
written by Corey Buhay

Next time you need to get away from it all, really get away with Gaia GPS’s new Roadless Areas overlay. Or, go even deeper with the Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay.

Maybe you’re looking for a high mountain stream that hasn’t been fished out, a piece of the whitetail season opener you can call your own, or backcountry water ice begging for a first ascent. Or maybe you’re just after deep-woods quiet and down-valley views uncrossed by asphalt.

Whatever the reason, use these overlays to leave the crowds behind. Apply the Roadless Areas overlay to your favorite base map to chart an on-trail course far from roads of any kind, and use Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay to find land trafficked only by wildlife.

https://blog.gaiagps.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Roadless_cut-1.mp4

How It Works

Based on trail and road data from the Gaia GPS Topo base map, the Roadless Areas Overlay uses gradient shading to indicate how far any given spot is from the nearest road, and the Roadless and Trailless Areas further bounds that data by limiting more darkly shaded areas to places that are far from footpaths as well.

How to Use It

Available for both iOS and Android users with Premium Memberships, and on gaiagps.com, both the Roadless Areas overlay and the Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay can be viewed while connected to the internet or while you’re off the grid and out of service.

From the Map Sources menu, navigate to the Feature/Weather Overlays category. Add either the Roadless Areas overlay or the Roadless and Trailless Areas overlay atop your basemap of choice.

The transparency is completely adjustable, but starting with 100% opacity makes it easiest to visualize distances. At that setting, opaque orange indicates that an area is two miles or more from the nearest road and/or trail. Lighter orange shading indicates areas that are at least 0.25 mile or more from those features.

Then, reduce transparency to around 50% (as shown above) for the best visibility while route planning.

A Note on Off-Trail Hiking 

Before you venture off-trail, make sure you’re exploring on public land where off-trail hiking is permitted. Pro tip: Add the Public Land layer (in the Premium Overlays category of the Map Manager) for quick reference, and double-check regulations with your local land manager.

A Note on Safety

Use these maps to seek out your next dose of true wilderness, but use the same caution you would in any backcountry situation. The farther you wander from roads and trails, the more difficult it is to reach help in case of an emergency. Brush up on your first-aid and wilderness self-sufficiency skills before you head out, and consider taking an emergency communication device if you’re wandering deep into unknown terrain. No matter how far you want to go, Gaia GPS provides the maps to get there. It’s up to you, however, to get yourself out.

November 19, 2018
1 FacebookTwitterLinkedinRedditEmail
Load More Posts

Categories

  • Adventures
  • Android
  • App Comparisons
  • App Updates
  • Backcountry Skiing
  • Boating
  • Company News
  • Emergency Response
  • Featured
  • Fishing
  • Gaia GPS
  • Gaia GPS Offroad Podcast
  • GaiaCloud
  • Hikes
  • How-To
  • Hunting
  • iOS
  • New Features
  • New Maps
  • Newsletter
  • Offroading
  • Out and Back Podcast
  • Overlanding
  • User Profiles

Recent Posts

  • Battling the Wind: Setting Your Shocks to Firm Helps on Overland Drives
  • The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia GPS Turned an Overlander Into a Reluctant Hiker
  • A Fond Farewell to National Geographic Maps — And a Look at What’s Ahead
  • Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike, Your Way
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Youtube
    • RSS
    • Explore The Map
    • Get the App
    • Upgrade Today
    • Explore The Map Catalog
    • New Features
      • Gaia GPS

        The Hike Map That Broke Me: How Gaia…

        April 24, 2025

        Gaia GPS

        Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,…

        March 18, 2025

        Gaia GPS

        Unlock a New Level of Personalization in Gaia…

        December 12, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Goodbye Clutter, Hello Streamlined Maps: Introducing Sync to…

        November 26, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

        August 15, 2024

        Gaia GPS

        2023 Mapped: Our Best New Features of the…

        December 27, 2023

        Gaia GPS

        Discover Adventure Easier Than Ever with New Map…

        July 27, 2023

      • New Maps
        • Gaia GPS

          Introducing the Gaia Hike Map: Plan Your Hike,…

          March 18, 2025

          Gaia GPS

          Discover Prime Stargazing Locations with Our New Light…

          August 15, 2024

          Gaia GPS

          Find Prime Viewing for Total Solar Eclipse with…

          March 27, 2024

          Gaia GPS

          See the World More Clearly with New Gaia…

          May 18, 2023

          Gaia GPS

          Gaia Classic: The Only Map You’ll Ever Need?

          May 4, 2023

          Backcountry Skiing

          Find Backcountry Skiing in Gaia Winter Map

          January 11, 2023

          Gaia GPS

          Our Favorite New Maps and Features

          December 23, 2022

    • Activities
      • Backcountry Skiing
      • Boating
      • Emergency Response
      • Fishing
      • Offroading
    • Adventures
      • User Stories
    • Help

    @2024 - All Right Reserved. Gaia GPS


    Back To Top