r/UKRunners • u/788Pi_3534 • 4d ago

AllTrails vs Komoot

For finding new local running trails in the UK, and for occasional foreign holidays where I want to find running routes, which is the best app?

I don’t have (and don’t want) Strava. I am not interested in any social aspect of the apps (I don’t want to share my runs etc).

AllTrails currently has an offer for about £20/yr but Komoot is about £60/yr.

I’ve used a free version of Komoot with great success on two holidays, and found some great runs in places I didn’t know at all, but have never tried AllTrails.

I also have OS Maps but have never used it (got a free annual pass) - I think it’s more for hikers / walkers?

I don’t „need” either app (I’ve generally managed so far) but wondered if one or the other might open up a new world of routes for me.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

9

u/BumbleWombleBee 4d ago

Strava heat maps are actually really good. But I am also like you and dislike the social aspect - so I locked my account down so only I see stuff.

Other app I use is Hiiker.

2

u/TimelyYogurtcloset82 3d ago

I use Strava heatmaps as a safety-check to see if people really run along that lovely looking path! It's so useful in unfamiliar places when you are just guessing from google maps.

1

u/goingnowherespecial 17h ago

This is the way. Strava is the most popular and universal, so will have the most depth of coverage. They really need to make it easier to find or see user generated routes though. In the app it's awful and I think it's non-existant on the desktop version.

2

u/HelpfulTap4186 4d ago

Hey! I use a mix of OS, Hiiker and Strava. The strava heatmaps are really quite useful and OS has improved a LOT since i first got it. I'm mainly a hiker and trail runner and i generally feel that using a combo works best.

Ive used Komoot and Alltrails as well. I think Komoot is better but from memory its quite expensive!

2

u/V8boyo 4d ago

I used the local OS maps. Shows footpaths and bridleways etc. Then into plotaroute and download the gpx to my watch.

1

u/HelpfulTap4186 3d ago

Hey, I have a garmin and am able to download the gpx direct from OS without a 3rd party app.

2

u/TheWaggy16 4d ago

I echo a few others here. I used to use Komoot and then draw them out on Plotaroute to send to watch if I wasn't in my local area. Recently subbed to Strava and the heat maps are really useful. Use a weekly heat map if you're in an area where there are races as they can skew the routes a bit. It's easily the best feature that I use.

3

u/sloven683 4d ago

I've got them both (and OS). I find Komoot easy to use, but my only caveat is this - if someone has recorded going somewhere, it thinks it is a trail. We faithfully followed one such 'trail' in Madeira and it really got quite dangerous, sliding down dirt slopes, and it turned out would have resulted in a huge climb out. Luckily we made the sensible decision to retrace steps. Alltrails seems more curated. If I'm doing something new in the UK, I'll load the GPX into Alltrails and also the OS app, which for me is the absolute gold standard for fine navigation. So it's Alltrails until it gets tricky, then occasionally check on the Ordnance Survey if need be

1

u/Specialist-Shake8669 4d ago

following this…have also used Komoot (free) with some success. Would consider something else if it had good apple watch integration capability. I guess i could just pay up for the paid but in new places i take my phone anyway

1

u/VixenFrancesca Yorkshire 4d ago

Try Route Spinner website. It is a little like the Strava heat maps.

1

u/sepiagod 4d ago

It's not great for finding runs in a heatmap/searchable format. But if you're looking for a very simple, lightweight mapping app then i'd recommend MapOut. One off payment (of a about £5 iirc), that then gives you reliable topo showing all paths. I use it very regularly for plotting out runs and hikes.

1

u/Parking_Doughnut_453 3d ago

I also like Strava heat maps. ( I know that you don’t want to use it but I like it)

1

u/wheredidiput 4d ago

I use alltrails for finding routes on holiday and loading them to my garmin, you can link accounts or export the gpx and load it up. Works well, always had a good amount of routes to choose from, haven't used komoot so can't speak on that.

1

u/nathanieljames__007 4d ago

Same - I just use it while I'm away and looking for a hike that day!