10 Quick Tips & Tricks for the Guthook Guides App
We have some tips and tricks to help you use our app to its full capability. Check them out and see if you learn something new!
Natalie McMillan Tech on the Trail 04/17/2020
Natalie McMillan
Tech on the Trail
04/17/2020
1. You can download photos for waypoints
TIP: Download the waypoint photos BEFORE you get on trail. You need internet/cell connection in order to download the photos in the app.
2. You can switch between NOBO and SOBO
TIP: Choose which direction you are hiking and the mileage will switch!
3. You can switch the map type
TIP: Download the map types you want BEFORE you get on trail.You need internet/cell connection in order to download the map types in the app.
4. You can create custom routes to plan your days
TIP: Create a custom route to see the mileage and the elevation profile details for that specific length of the trail.
TRICK: You can also create a custom route AFTER you finish hiking for the day to keep a log and track the distance you hike each day.
5. You can read real-time comments left by other hikers on trail and leave your own comments on waypoints as you hike
TIP: The comments on our water waypoints are the most popular among hikers. You can look at water sources ahead of you on the trail and read the comments left by other hikers to see if the water source is full/half empty/dry/gross/etc. You can also see the date the comment was left to determine how recent or accurate it is.
6. You can switch to colorblind mode
TIP: If you have troubles seeing the trail lines on the map, you can turn on the colorblind mode and the color of the trails will change. BONUS TIP: colorblind mode works well if you are viewing the satellite map set
7. You can check for updates directly in the app
TIP: If you think something isn’t up-to-date or if you have an issue with the app, you can check for updates directly in the app or you can check to see if the app needs to be updated in the App Store/Google Play Store.
8. You can progress through the trail by waypoints to find the next closest water source, tent site, or POI
TIP: If you want to find the next closest water source or tent site to where you are on the trail you can tap on the closest waypoint to you and tap on the arrows to find what you are looking for.
9. You can create custom waypoints
TIP: If you want to visit a place or POI that we don’t have in the app, you can create a custom waypoint for it before your hike so that you know where it is when you are out hiking.
TRICK: You can also create custom waypoints for any places/POIs that you come across as you hike and want to remember where it is – like keeping a trail diary or if you want to return to the specific location again in the future.
Directions: Tap on the “Tools” tab and tap “Create a Waypoint”


10. You can send a Check-in!
TIP: You can send a Check-in and update your friends and family back home that are following you in the new Social feature of our app. You can also Check-in with other hikers on the same trail as you like your tramily (trail family) and see where they are/how they’re doing.
** You must be signed into an account to send a Check-in
*** You must also have WiFi or cell service in order for your Check-in to send
Learn More
Find all of our App Tutorial Videos on our YouTube Channel: Guthook Guides.
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Download our popular hiking and biking guides!
Trail guides that get you to places you’ve dreamed of.
As the makers of Guthook Guides, Bikepacking Guides, and Cyclewayz, we help you navigate the most popular trails around the world on your smartphone. Our hiking guides and biking guides work completely offline. Let Guthook guide your next adventure!
Showers Lake Vista, Tahoe Rim Trail
Photo courtesy of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association


Showers Lake Vista, Tahoe Rim Trail
Photo courtesy of the Tahoe Rim Trail Association
Trail guides that get you to places you’ve dreamed of.
As the makers of Guthook Guides, Bikepacking Guides, and Cyclewayz, we help you navigate the most popular trails around the world on your smartphone. Our hiking guides and biking guides work completely offline. Let Guthook guide your next adventure!
Download our popular hiking and biking guides!
About the Author


Natalie McMillan
Natalie grew up hiking in Arizona where she fell in love with the outdoors. Her favorite hikes are to Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon and Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, UT. She loves taking pictures of people, places, and nature, which might explain why she has almost 47,000 photos currently residing on her phone. She takes care of all things related to social media and marketing and recently moved to Denver, CO from Flagstaff, AZ. You may find her frolicking around the trails and mountains of Colorado, or exploring the new city she gets to call home.