10 Reviews: Best GPS Tracker for Hiking (Apr 2024)

This rechargeable GPS tracker has fall detection, location geofencing, and a panic button in addition to its other features. You can locate your loved ones at any time of day or night thanks to real-time GPS tracking. Because it is the smallest and lightest GPS tracker on the market, it may be conveniently packed in backpacks, pockets, glove boxes, and trunks. When set to 5-minute reporting, the built-in battery can last up to 40 hours, and when set to 2-minute reporting, it can last up to 24 hours.

The goTele GPS Tracker provides fantastic real-time monitoring for groups of up to 30 persons trekking at the same time. The goTele gadget connects to your smartphone through Bluetooth and sends real-time position data and other information to its hiking GPS tracker app for simple navigation and communication. You can see the whereabouts of everyone in your party, including pets, as well as their anticipated trajectories, on your phone. Offline maps such as Google Satellite, Google Map, Google Relief, Open Cycle, and Open Street are available on goTele for navigation.

The goTele GPS tracker is a great product. This tracker is very easy to assemble, nice and light, and fits right in your pocket or hiking backpack. The goTele has a very effective app that gets connected to your smart phone. I wasn't able to go hiking yet but I left one tracker at home and kept the other one in my care and never lost signal, it worked great and I can't wait to take it when hunting season starts up!

by Gabriella CORRADO

The Bad Elf 2200 is a sophisticated GPS receiver that sends advanced navigation data directly to your smartphone. Bad Elf is Bluetooth-enabled and connects to your smartphone or tablet using this technology. It can really link with up to five different devices at the same time. It runs on the iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems. This gadget connects with your phone in the same way that any other Bluetooth device does. While Bad Elf’s specialized app is available, this GPS receiver will also deliver real-time navigation data to most major map applications. It analyses and delivers location data to your smartphone at a speed of 10 times per second, which is adjustable to your requirements and helps to save battery life.

I love this device. Fantastic battery life and superior, comprehensive simplicity in design. Not the least expensive GPS device in this form factor, but I’m very happy I went with this high quality unit. Super fast charge and so easy to use. The button functions are so comprehensive and designed to make operation so easy that the manual is nearly unnecessary. Easily discoverable with BT and works so great with Ovital, Navionics, and perhaps every other useful navigation aid that requires a GPS. Couldn’t be happier with this purchase.

by M

The Traverse from Suunto is a good GPS wristwatch, and it’s especially good for first-time hikers. Two navigation systems are included in the watch: GPS and GLONASS. It also claims to leave digital “breadcrumbs” while you explore, making retracing your steps simple. The watch will keep track of your pace, mileage, altitude, and more while you trek. You may also acquire the information you need to adjust your trek on the fly since it comes with sunrise/sunset timings and weather notifications. In GPS mode, the battery will last up to 100 hours, and in smartwatch mode, it will last up to 14 days.

I have had this watch for a couple years now and I still love it. I am an avid sailor and this watch is great for that. I have used the storm alarm many times and the barometer is very handy to have. The count down timer is perfect for starting and has a nice big read out. During night sails its handy to have the flashlight right on your wrist for quick flashes of light to look at something. Having a step counter also is nice.

by Timothy Vining

The Garmin GPSMAP 64x is an excellent all-around portable GPS that will suit most hikers’ requirements. The device’s 2.6″ TFT color screen is big enough to see satellite or topographic maps while being lightweight at about 8 ounces. The screen can be viewed in direct sunlight, and the whole item is shock and water resistant. Its high-sensitivity receiver lets you connect to numerous satellite networks, including GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, and see how strong each one is at different altitudes and locations. This feature certainly elevates it to the top of the list of the most accurate portable GPS devices available today.

I have used several Garmin handheld unit in the past 20 years with both 100K and 24K maps. I use my GPS for biking and hiking with a little geocaching now and then. I have been very happy that all the trails that I’ve gone on this year have been on the map which my 600T did not. Plus the topoactive maps receive updates so you have updated information all the time. So far it’s the best that 8 have used. Happy Trails.

by Lianne Hensley

This device’s main navigation feature is quite dependable, and it supports both GPS and GLONASS. It’s quite light, weighing just five ounces when batteries are included. The battery life is also impressive, lasting up to 25 hours. It runs on two AA batteries, with NiMH or lithium rechargeable batteries as options. The user interface is simple and intuitive, allowing you to access maps, your compass, and your trip computer, as well as mark waypoints. You can quickly look up and follow previous routes on the GPS, or design a new one. You may also modify your dashboards to incorporate the navigation information that is most relevant to you.

I have been using this GPS for Geocaching for a few month now and have been very impressed with it. Can log finds and view logs on it, durable product and I would recommend this to a beginner Geocacher (like myself). This works a lot better than the app on my iPhone. I have coverage in the strangest of places....

by OliveJuice

The Garmin Instinct provides hikers with hands-free, easy access to all of the essential GPS and navigation features they require, plus a few extras. Thermal, shock, and water resistance are all military-grade specifications for this trekking GPS watch. Its display is made of chemically reinforced, scratch-resistant glass with a high contrast ratio for easy reading in any light. Depending on whatever mode the watch is in, the battery life may last up to 14 days. Full GPS mode will last around 16 hours, but Garmin also has an UltraTrac option that allows you to use GPS but saves battery life when you’re not actively using it.

I am very impressed with this watch . If you want to show off the latest Apple or Samsung watch, fine. This watch just works. Waterproof, Military spec, a tough watch from Garmin. This is my first Garmin, it is tougher, more reliable, and easier to use than a FItbit or Apple or Samsung watch. I have had several before this. Wow!

by JCRArizona

The interface is similar to that of a smartphone, with straightforward menu arrangement for the device’s many functionalities. With the touch of a finger, you can access your map, trip computer, compass, altimeter, and more. Depending on how you wish to see your navigation, the screen may be positioned in landscape or portrait mode. This GPS allows you to upload and use marine and city navigation maps, as well as your favorite trail maps, for a variety of mapping options.

Received quickly and just before heading out for deer season. Was a bit of learning curve to get to all of the features I wanted but am very happy with this GPS. This will be my 4th Garmin out of 7 GPS units.

by David Schlie

The inReach Explore+ comes with a slew of high-tech capabilities. The inReach is powered by the Iridium satellite network, which is the world’s biggest commercial satellite network and the only one that provides coverage worldwide. As a result, the inReach allows you to send text messages and emails to mobile phones and email addresses even when there is no cell coverage. It also provides you peace of mind since you may send out an SOS alert in the event of an emergency to contact with someone and get assistance.

I have had this for about a year now. It works incredibly well. The auto tracking capability and text messaging from almost anywhere really help put my wife at ease. I use it on almost every climb and never had any issues with it. The rangers on Rainier mentioned how much more they prefer this device over the Spot devices since they can have two-way communication with the party in trouble. The best thing about the device, is you can actually use it a lot for non-emergancies which makes it so much more worth the expense.

by cramblda

The Garmin Rino 700 is an excellent navigator and two-way radio. Its built-in 5 W GMRS two-way radio has a range of 20 miles beyond the GMRS frequency, so you can trust on it to keep you in contact no matter how far away you are from other people. The gadget can save up to 50 radio contacts, with the option to save track points for each so you can keep track of their whereabouts. Because the radio is VOX-enabled, you can start a conversation with only your voice.

These work very well. I am using them in the Adirondack mountains and in very rugged terrain, with large amounts of iron deposits and the radio works well. GPS has many functions and works well also.

by Andrew Q.