From iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, you can create personalized walking routes in the Maps application and save them offline. Step by step, path by path, point by point you can put together your route and walk.
In the United States and Japan you can even find and walk pre-programmed walking routes, but elsewhere you have to do it yourself. You can plan the personalized walking routes yourself, so that you can take a perfect walk based on the available (walking) paths in the Maps app for iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Walking Tours in Maps
In Apple’s Maps app you can follow all kinds of routes to get from A to B. Not only by car, but also public transport, cycling and walking. From iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia you can also view, follow and create your own walking tours. In the United States and Japan you can even find pre-programmed walking routes in Apple Maps and follow them in nature parks, among other places, but outside of that you have to do it yourself.
Compose your own walking routes
- Open the Maps app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Search for a location, tap/click on a spot on the map or post a game
- Tap or click on the route button (default car)
- Choose ‘Walking’
- Adjust the starting location if necessary
- Scroll down the suggestions
- Choose ‘Create a custom route’
Then tap or click on the map to add points to your route. Repeat this until you have completed the desired hike.
Do you want to return to the starting point? Then you have the option to add a ‘Turn around’ or ‘There and back’ to the route or end it by closing the loop. Tap ‘Start’ to start the route immediately or ‘Save’ to walk the route later.
Distance, duration and height difference
While compiling the route, the distance and duration of the trip are neatly recorded. You can also see the height difference and adjust your choice accordingly. At some locations it is also indicated whether you have to climb stairs.
Preserved hiking trails
After compiling a walking route, you can start it immediately or save it for later using the ‘Save’ button. Walking routes are automatically downloaded to your iPhone so you can also use them offline. The walking routes can be found via the steps below.
- Open the Maps app
- Tap your profile photo
- Choose ‘Library’
- Open ‘Routes’
On a Mac you will find these walking tours in the sidebar under ‘Library’. There you will find a shortcut back to your routes.
Sync
Would you rather put together your walking tours on a larger screen? Then you can do this on an iPad or Mac, using iCloud your routes will be synchronized with all devices with the same Apple account.
Discover walking tours in Apple Maps
In the United States and Japan you can find pre-programmed walking routes in Apple Maps and follow them in natural parks, among others. Unfortunately, this option is not yet available in other countries. Search for a nature park in the US or Japan and the walks will automatically appear in the information overview.
You can view walks in full in advance and put them in your library so that you can quickly consult them while walking.
In the US you can also use topographic maps. These are detailed geographical maps that accurately represent elevation differences and landscape features using contour lines.