How to use Avenza Maps app with maps we provide for trips
When you register for an Outdoor Adventure Club hiking trip or backpacking trip, you’ll receive a PDF map you can use to navigate the trails. The map is not designed to be printed. It’s designed to be used with the Avenza Maps app, We create these maps using CalTopo.com
There are many great mapping apps available today. We use Avenza Maps for our guest maps because it’s the simplest way to get everyone a copy of the map. Avenza works without cell service and doesn’t require you to download anything other than the PDF map we provide.
Adding the map to Avenza is easy. Get the app. It’s free. Open it. Make sure you’ve downloaded and saved the map we provide to your phone. Tap the download icon on the top right of the My Maps screen. The Import Map screen will open up. Select “From Storage Location”, locate and select the saved map on your phone and voila! Avenza loads the map into the app.
It is also sometimes possible to add the map by tapping the download icon, tapping on the QR code symbol in the top right corner of the screen, and scanning the QR code in the bottom right corner of the map. This technique is super easy when it works, but does not work all the time. It also requires you to open the map on one screen, and scan the QR code with your phone.
Once the map is loaded in the Avenza app, you can view the map in the app, and you can see where you are on the map as you’re hiking the trail. You can also save the track of your hike in Avenza.
Once the map is opened in Avenza, your current location will be shown if you are somewhere on the map.
For more location information and to track your route, lift up the small gray bar at the bottom of the screen:
The location tab will tell you where you are and display a compass.
To track the route of the hike, go to the tracking tab and “start tracking” when you’re hiking. Your route will be displayed on the map as you hike, and your route will be recorded and saved.
We can go over using Avenza, reading maps and navigating while we’re on our trip together.