Table of Contents Show
✍️ AI is summarizing:
When we talk about outdoor adventure, the spotlight usually falls on the one heading out—the solo trekker, the weekend trail runner, or the camper setting up off-grid. But behind every adventurer is often someone at home, quietly searching for a good solo hiking safety app and wondering, “Are they okay out there?”
That person, for me, was a longtime friend. She’s been through countless startup projects and travel plans with me, but the idea of me disappearing into the highlands, off-grid and solo, was one step too far. That’s when I introduced her to TrackMate.
Read more interesting posts:
- Ready, Set, Track: How the ExoTrails TrackMate Challenge Makes Group Adventures More Fun
- Team Goals, Trail Wins: How to Use ExoTrails for Teams to Energize Your Workplace
- A Hiker’s Guide: How to Stay Safe Hiking Alone (And Keep Your Loved Ones Calm)
More than a tracking app: A solo hiking safety app built on trust
When I first envisioned ExoTrails, it wasn’t about creating another navigation app. It was about confidence, the confidence to step outside, take the lesser-known path, and feel safe doing it. That’s why we created TrackMate. It’s not just another dot on a map; it’s the solo hiking safety app I wished I had – a digital trail buddy: always there when you need it, invisible when you don’t.
Before I set out on that solo trip, I opened the ExoTrails app, created a new outing with TrackMate, and added my friend as a contact. From her apartment in Saigon, she could open the app anytime and see my progress in real-time – my location, distance traveled, and where I’d stopped to camp. No calls. No texts. Just calm reassurance.
Empowering solo hikers, not controlling them
Let’s face it: being “tracked” doesn’t sound appealing. You go outdoors to disconnect, not to be monitored. That’s why TrackMate’s features are opt-in, unobtrusive, and fully in your control.
- You choose who sees your trail.
- You decide when to share.
- You can toggle it off anytime.
It’s not about being watched—it’s about someone having your back, even if they’re hundreds of kilometers away. For your partner, your parents, or that slightly anxious friend who just wants to know you’re okay, TrackMate is the solo hiking safety app that offers reassurance without intrusion.
Reducing the mental load for a safer solo hike
One thing I hear often from our users? A good solo hiking safety app should reduce the mental load. With TrackMate, there’s no need to text five people your exact route or your estimated return time before every outing. Just open the app, hit “Start”, and let someone you trust quietly track your adventure—even if you’re off the grid or out of service.
Whether you’re a seasoned solo hiker or someone testing your first weekend trail, TrackMate lightens your mental pack. It’s not about fear—it’s about freeing yourself from the constant “what if?” voice in the back of your mind.
The alert button: Just in case
Of course, nature is unpredictable. That’s why every Track outing includes one simple, powerful feature: the Alert Button.
If something feels wrong—an injury, an unexpected change in weather, or just your gut telling you something’s off—you can tap the button on your solo hiking safety app. Instantly, your trusted contact receives your location and a notification that you might need help. I didn’t need it that weekend. But my friend later told me that knowing it was there helped her sleep soundly for the first time in years while I was off-grid.
For the one who waits and the one who walks
TrackMate isn’t just for adventurers—it’s also for those waiting back home. It’s for the friend who says, “Enjoy your adventure. I’ve got your back.” So whether you’re chasing waterfalls or crossing ridgelines, this solo hiking safety app helps you travel with more freedom and just enough connection to bring you home safely. Because real freedom doesn’t mean being alone. It means knowing someone cares, every step of the way.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best solo hiking safety app isn’t the one that tracks you the hardest; it’s the one that makes you feel the most free. It’s a tool that provides peace of mind for both the person on the trail and the loved ones at home. By putting control in the hands of the adventurer, it transforms safety from a restriction into an empowerment.
Ready to explore with confidence? Join our community of explorers in the ExoTrails Facebook Group and follow the ExoTrails Fanpage for daily inspiration and trail tips!
FAQs
What makes a good solo hiking safety app?
A good solo hiking safety app should have reliable real-time tracking, the ability to share your location with trusted contacts, an easy-to-use emergency alert system, and functionality that works even with intermittent or no cell service (like offline maps).
How does TrackMate work without cell service?
TrackMate uses your phone’s built-in GPS to record your location even when you’re offline. Your path is continuously tracked, and as soon as your phone reconnects to a network, it updates your location for your trusted contacts to see.
Is it safe to share my location with an app?
With TrackMate, your privacy is paramount. You are in complete control of who sees your location and for how long. The tracking is temporary and only for the duration of your chosen outing.
