AllTrails offers a wide variety of map types, as well as overlays and extras that can be applied to your maps to assist with planning your next outing. Map types, extras, and overlays can be found by tapping the overlapping squares icon at the top right of any map view.
This article explains the differences between map types, overlays, and extras, along with brief overviews of the options within these categories.
Map types
Map types represent the primary base layer, or default view, for your map. Each type will have slightly different features, points of interest, and attributes. Note that only one map type can be viewed at a time, but you can easily toggle between map types as needed.
Below is a brief overview of each of our map types:
- AllTrails: Our flagship map type, custom built for the AllTrails platform. Includes trail names, mileage markers, contour lines, hill shading, waterways, roads, summit labels, land cover types (forests, glaciers, etc.) and detailed building footprints.
- Satellite: Global, high-resolution satellite imagery. Includes labels.
- Terrain: Topographic map with contour lines and elevation that delineates boundary lines for regional, state, and national parks across the globe. Includes roads. (There's also a legacy version of this map type.)
- Road: Streets, buildings, and places all around the world.
- OSM (OpenStreetMap): Detailed map of the world created by a global team of volunteers. Includes trail names, landmarks, points-of-interest, campgrounds, parking areas, train stations, and more.
- OCM (OpenCycleMap): Similar to OSM but primarily aimed at showing information useful to cyclists.
- USGS Topo (US only): US Geological Survey topographic maps showing both natural and man-made features (including campsites and roads), along with contour lines.
- IGN Plan and IGN Scan 25: IGN Plan maps focus on detailed urban layouts and infrastructure, while IGN Scan 25 maps provide a precise topographic representation of terrain, natural features, and trails at 1:25,000 scale for outdoor navigation (France only).
Please note that OSM, OCM, USGS Topo, IGN Plan, and IGN Scan 25 map types are only available on our website.
Map overlays
Map overlays can be found by tapping the overlapping squares icon at the top right of any map view. Peak members have access to 4 different map overlays that provide insight into trail usage and dynamic, real-time trail conditions.
- Community heatmap: The community heatmap allows you to see trail traffic data to find popular trails or quieter hidden gems. Supported by millions of trailgoers’ public trail activities, the community heatmap gives insights into recent outdoor activity to help members plan an adventure that aligns with their preferences.
- Precipitation: Displays color-coded, real-time precipitation data over any map type. See how the intensity and chance of precipitation is going to change along your planned route.
- Temperature: Displays color-coded, real-time temperature data, as well as forecasts of how on-trail temperature is expected to change along your planned route.
- Snow depth: A color-coded view of snow depth along and around a trail, including accumulated snowfall along your planned route.
Any AllTrails member has access to the Personal heatmap overlay.
- Personal heatmap: The personal heatmap lets you see your recorded activities on your personal map as a heatmap. Areas with more activity appear brighter, so you can look back at where you've been over time. Your personal activity map is private by default, which means only you can see it.
Map extras
Map extras can be applied on top of any map type, and provide a wealth of additional information to help you plan your next adventure. Unlike map types, you can apply multiple extras at once.
There are 7 map extras available to all members on AllTrails.com (not yet available in the mobile apps):
- Photos: Displays geotagged photos on the map so you can see what to expect on the trail.
- Waypoints: Displays geotagged waypoints on the map so you can find landmarks, attractions, junctions, trailheads, etc.
- Nearby trails: Displays map pins for nearby trailheads so you can see other trails in the area as well as other access points.
- Distance markers: Displays distance markers in miles or kilometers (based on your unit preference) along any route.
- Waymarked cycling, hiking, and mountain biking trails: Trails with signs or other markers along a specific route.