Introduction

How do I make a route?

There are several ways to make a route. We’ll start by explaining how to make a custom route.

1. Tap the main screen's search icon (a magnifying glass) and enter your destination. Alternatively, locate a destination on the 3D map and tap it to display the information panel.
2. Tap the “Directions” tab on the information panel. These routes are generated from nearby trailheads and won’t necessarily start from where you are or where you want to start. Say you want to start at your house instead of a nearby parking area. In that case, tap “Set Destination.” You can also tap “Start Here” if you want your route to start from that point.
3. You can also create more complex routes; for example, you can extend the final destination with a peak or insert a detour to a point of interest.
1. Once you have created the desired route, you can end the route (for point-to-point missions) or alternatively select the “close loop” tab so that the app takes you back along the same path or, if available, along other paths to the starting point. You can also close the loop with a custom route by using the “Extend Here” tab.
2. You can make entirely custom routes by tapping “Extend Here” to wherever you want to go. You can build entire backpacking loops using the app in this way. You can also check the schedules of mountain huts and cable cars as you plan your route.
3. When you’re satisfied with the route you’ve created, you can save it so that it can always be consulted even while hiking. You can also share routes with those who don’t have the app by sending a GPX file or a video flyover of the route.

The app also allows you to import and export GPX files if you have a route in mind that is not already on our maps.

As mentioned, cable cars and mountain huts are included in our 3D Maps, complete with schedules. This is especially useful in Europe, where many objectives involve a cable car ride to gain some altitude, lest you want to do some genuinely punishing climbs.

Lock-Screen Navigation allows you to follow your route with just a glance at your phone - no passcode required.

Step by step for generating a route, in this case from a village in the French Alps (Villar d’Arêne) to the Refuge d’Aigle

For more details about routing, including a step-by-step guide to route planning, see 2.5 Routing.

How do I easily find the best hike?

If you don’t want to create a custom route, the easiest way to quickly find the best routes is to use Discover Mode. This shows the best area hikes for both your current location and any location in the world that you search for. That means you can find the best hikes around your own home or check out routes from that vacation rental or mountain hut you’ll be visiting this summer.

Just tap the binocular icon on the lower right while in the 3D Map mode. From there, you can choose whether you want hikes in the general area or starting from your current location. You can use the filter feature to find hikes with a suitable distance and elevation gain. The app includes user-submitted photos so you can evaluate the hike’s scenery in advance.

What do T1, T2, etc. mean?

Great question. The Swiss Hiking Scale is a standardized system developed by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) to classify the difficulty of hiking trails. It's one of the most widely used hiking grading systems in the Alps, where PeakVisor is based.

Swiss Hiking Scale: Levels Explained

The scale has six main difficulty grades, labeled T1 to T6, where "T" stands for "Trekking." Here's what each level means:

🟢 T1 – Hiking (“Wandern”)

Well-marked paths, often paved or gravel, no exposure.

Example: Old forest roads, valley trails

🟡 T2 – Mountain Hiking (“Bergwandern”)

Narrower paths, may have roots, rocks, or steep bits.

Example: Hikes to alpine pastures or mid-mountain huts.

🟠 T3 – Demanding Mountain Hiking (“Anspruchsvolles Bergwandern”)

Trail: Rocky, uneven, may cross snowfields or scree.

Example: Trails crossing small passes or involving short scrambles (e.g., parts of the Haute Route).

🔴 T4 – Alpine Hiking (“Alpinwandern”)

Trail: Not always visible; may require light climbing (use of hands).

Example: Crossing high alpine passes, glacier edges (without crevasses), or climbing ridgelines.

🔵 T5 – Demanding Alpine Hiking (“Anspruchsvolles Alpinwandern”)

Trail: Very exposed; climbing sections without fixed ropes.

Example: Steep alpine summits or glacier routes without defined paths.

⚫ T6 – Difficult Alpine Hiking (“Schwieriges Alpinwandern”)

Trail: Barely any; involves real climbing (UIAA grade I-II).

Example: Isolated alpine summits with no marked route, such as lesser-known 3,000–4,000m peaks.

Additional Considerations

• The scale assumes good weather. Rain, snow, or fog can push a T3 route into T4 or higher.
• It only measures difficulty, not duration, elevation gain, or exposure to hazards like rockfall or flooding.
• Different sections of a trail can have mixed ratings (e.g., T2 to T3).

For more details about the Swiss Hiking Scale, see 2.2.1 Swiss Hiking Scale

How do I align labels with the peak names I’m seeing?

For PeakVisor to function properly, there are a couple of well-hidden system settings in iOS that need to be enabled. Note that occasionally, Apple delays compass/location activation—check these settings and reboot the phone if needed.

1. Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Location Services are ON (at the very top)

2. Settings → Privacy → Location Services → System Services (at the very bottom) → Compass Calibration is ON

If these settings are activated, PeakVisor automatically calibrates the compass so that the labels are correctly aligned. There is a small compass icon in the lower left-hand corner that will say “auto.”

However, if you see that the mountain silhouettes on your device still don’t match the landscape in the camera’s view, you may need to adjust the peak labels using “manual.” Slide the panorama with the peak labels to the side or up and down until you have a perfect match. This process ensures more accurate peak identification. You can follow the same label adjustment process when you import a photo into the app.

For more information, see 1.1 Compass Calibration.

The camera view for Mountain Identification is the default screen on the PeakVisor app. You can identify all the summits around you by holding your phone’s camera up to the horizon line. From this screen, you can access the app’s other features.

1.1 Compass Calibration

You will occasionally need to adjust compass readings and directions to ensure correct mountain identification. Calibration is important and helps ensure that the peak labels on your device are correctly positioned.

For PeakVisor to function properly, a couple of well-hidden system settings in iOS need to be enabled. Note that occasionally, Apple delays compass/location activation—check these settings and reboot the phone if needed.

1. Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Location Services are ON (at the very top)

2. Settings → Privacy→ Location Services → System Services (at the very bottom) → Compass Calibration is ON

If these settings are enabled, PeakVisor automatically calibrates the compass to ensure the labels are correctly aligned. There is a small compass icon in the lower left-hand corner that will say “auto.”

However, if you see that the mountain silhouettes on your device still don’t match the landscape in the camera’s view, you may need to adjust the peak labels using “manual.” Slide the panorama with the peak labels to the side or up and down until you have a perfect match. This process ensures more accurate peak identification. You can follow the same label adjustment process when you import a photo into the app.

NOTE: PeakVisor uses this kind of compass calibration because the magnetic sensors in mobile phones aren’t exact. These sensors are susceptible to electromagnetic noise, particularly in cold and windy conditions. PeakVisor is getting smarter every day and will soon do this calibration automatically every time. But for now, the app occasionally needs a bit of your help.

NOTE: The sun’s position can be a good reference point for compass adjustment. Align the sun’s position in your camera with the large yellow circle in the peak label panorama to quickly coordinate the mountains in your camera’s view with the peak labels on your device.

1.2 Mountain Details

Identifying peaks is only the first step of using the PeakVisor app. The app also provides extensive information on mountain features, including glaciers, lakes, passes, mountain huts, and ski lifts.

1.2.1 Information Panel

All the panorama labels in the PeakVisor are interactive. Tapping on a label opens the Information Panel at the bottom of the screen, where you can:

• See the elevation of that object.
• Access sunrise and sunset times (NOTE: You may need to tap the Sun Icon to view sunrise and sunset times).
• Get distance and direction information for the object.
• Open a detailed description of the object (NOTE: Tap the Up Arrow button or tap on the object’s name).
• Save the object into one of your Favorite Lists using the Star Button. You can remove an object from your favorites by pressing the Star Button again.
• Find Directions to the object if it is within a 10-mile (16 km) radius.
• Teleport virtually to the object, opening the surrounding panorama from the object’s point of view.
• Make a Flyover Video by tapping the Airplane Button.

Brief Information Panel

1.2.2 Detailed Information Panel

The Detailed Information Panel is a way to learn more about a particular geographical feature.

Open it by tapping the Brief Information Panel. The Detailed Information Panel provides essential information about an object, including:

• Full name
• Categories (for example, Ultra, 14er, Alps Top 10)
• Elevation and topographic prominence
• Distance from the current map location
• Location coordinates, Country
• Description
• Photos (if available)

The three dots beside the Fly-Over button open the Additional Actions panel. On this panel, you can Suggest (for example, upload a photo or suggest a correction), claim Check-ins, and get Driving Directions.

1.2.3 Improve Maps with Edit Suggestions

To keep PeakVisor maps detailed and up-to-date, we rely on our in-house team and user feedback. If you notice that an object lacks a photo, an inconsistency on the map, or a missing summit in the app, you can upload your edits using the Edit Suggestions tool. Your participation provides our mapping team with the information they need to improve PeakVisor for your future adventures.

Photos of peaks, mountain passes, and lakes are especially helpful. The more information we have on the app, the more our users will be able to understand about a destination.

If everyone uploads photos from their hikes, there's a good chance that you'll find a photo when you need it on your next adventure.

1.3 Sun and Moon Trajectories

PeakVisor provides you with Sun and Moon Trajectories so you can see them in relation to the landscape. Use this information to plan photography sessions, terrain sun exposure, and other vital aspects of your trip.

Tap on the trajectory to open the Sun and Moon Trajectories information panel. This panel includes the following:

• Sunrise / Sunset or Moonrise / Moonset times.
• Phase of the Moon.
• Inclination of the celestial body toward the horizon (at present at your current location).
• Sun/Moon trajectory time control button (clock button).
• Distance to the celestial body.

Should you wish to know the distance to the sun or the moon from a particular location, PeakVisor has you covered. The distance to the sun or moon is located in the Sun and Moon Trajectories information panel when you tap on the object’s trajectory.

Activate the Time Control tool using the Clock Button to enable a slider, which lets you adjust the sun or moon’s trajectory to view the celestial body’s position at a specific date and time.

You can also input a specific date and time into the Sun and Moon Trajectories information panel to quickly see the sun's or moon’s position at a given date and time. To add a specific date and time:

1. Tap the clock button in the lower left-hand corner of the sun trajectory info panel, switching the panel view to show the current date and time in an HH: MM DD/MM/YYYY format.
2. Tap on the hours' digits.
3. Adjust the hours' digits using the slider at the bottom of the info panel. You can also tap the left and right arrows for more precise adjustments.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the digits representing minutes, days, months, and years.

Learn more about moon photography planning and how the sun and moon projections in the PeakVisor app can help you capture the perfect shot.

1.4 Distance Meter

PeakVisor lets you evaluate the distance from your position to an object you see using the Distance Meter tool. Tap any label in the panorama to see distance information in the info panel.

NOTE: The panel may show sunrise and sunset times rather than the object’s distance. Tap on the Sun Icon to swap to your distance from the object.

You can measure distances to any visible location in the panorama. Tap and hold the screen at any location to place a custom marker. This will also open a Brief Information Panel for that location. You can also zoom in for a finer selection of potential destinations.

1.5 Routes in Camera View

Finding routes in the Camera View comes in handy if you’re trying to visualize a saved route in real life.

For example, say you’re following a route up a mountain with a glacier crossing. When the glacier comes into view, just point your viewfinder at it, just as you would to identify a peak. Your route will be shown on the screen, overlaid onto the real image, not just the 3D rendering (unless you’re in labels only mode).

1.6 Importing Photos to Add Labels

PeakVisor allows you to create stylish photos of the mountains from your adventures using the Import Photos feature. This feature customizes your photos with peak labels, current elevation, and other tags. See below for an example photo from Switzerland.

You can take a photo in the PeakVisor app. However, you can also import an image from your camera app using the Import Photos tool. Importing a photo can offer improved image quality and additional artistic features. It’s also easier to quickly snap photos in the moment, instead of opening up the PeakVisor app.

After you import your photo, you can customize it by doing the following:

1. Adjust the 3D panorama horizontally and vertically to calibrate labels to the skyline.
2. Users will frequently only want to show a few labels in an image. Tap peak labels to keep or hide them in the photo. Tap and hold a label to hide all other labels.
3. Tap the Selfie Icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to add your selfie to your image.
4. Press the Title Icon under the elevation label in the bottom left corner of the photo to edit the image title.
5. Tap the green Download Button on the right-hand side of your screen to save the photo to your phone’s camera roll.
   

That’s it! You are now ready to share incredible photos of the epic landscapes you saw on your trek. Please send us some or share on social media (@peakvisor_app) with the #peakvisor tag so we can celebrate your adventure!

From inspiration to planning to tracking, PeakVisor’s 3D Maps feature provides rich insight into landscapes and trails worldwide.

PeakVisor has a high-precision terrain model of the whole world. These realistic 3D Maps feature:

• Hiking trails
• Ski Tours
• Chairlifts and cable cars
• Named summits
• Mountain huts
• Viewpoints
• Parking areas
• Lakes
• Waterfalls

Most of the features in the map are interactive. Tap a feature to access additional information about that object in a Brief Information Panel. These maps provide nearly all the information you need to plan your next outdoor adventure.

3D Maps

To open 3D Maps:

1. Point your phone toward the ground.
2. Double-tap the compass appearing at the bottom of the screen.

To exit the 3D Map and return to the Mountain Identification screen, tap the peak labels button in the top left corner of the screen. Otherwise, PeakVisor’s autoswitch mode means the app will show 3D maps while the phone is facing the ground, and peak labels if it’s held up to the horizon.

The 3D Maps on PeakVisor are designed to provide an immersive experience ranging from inspiration and evaluation to route planning and navigation. To use the maps:

• Switch Location. Navigate to any location by placing one finger on the screen and dragging the map to your desired destination. It’s easier to use Menu→Explore to view a destination that’s further afield (See “Search Feature” below).
• Rotate & Zoom Map. Zoom in and rotate the map using two fingers. Place two fingers on the screen and twist your fingers to rotate the map orientation. Place two fingers on the screen and slide your fingers apart to zoom in for more detail on the map. You can also scroll with one hand; a quick double-tap, leaving your finger on the screen for the second tap, then move your finger up and down (like Google Maps and others).
• Change Direction. Move your device from side to side to change the direction and view of the map. Press the North Direction Button (upper right corner of the screen) to lock the map's orientation, preventing the map direction from moving as you adjust your phone’s position.

2.1 Find Great Adventures with Discover Mode

Our Discover Mode allows you to view the best area hikes, whether for your current location or any location in the world that you search for. That means you can find the best hikes around your own home or check out routes from that vacation rental or mountain hut you’ll be visiting this summer. Just tap the binocular icon on the lower right while in the 3D Map mode.

• Scrolling through every hiking possibility can be time-consuming. Discover Mode lets you quickly filter a few of the best hikes or itineraries in any given area.

• The PeakVisor app analyzes many factors in deciding which trails to show you, including popularity (from users’ tracking), points of interest, summits, and attractiveness of the route. The app also prioritizes loops over out-and-back trails, as well as itineraries that include mountain huts.

• We’ve pre-selected the best photos from each trail so you can get an idea of the scenery.

• You can use the Filter feature to remove hikes that are too long or strenuous by setting your maximum vertical gain and the number of hours you want to hike.

• You can save the trail in your profile for the future or share it with friends.

Discover Mode in Solden, Austria

A typical use might use Discover Mode to find the best trails in a region, then use the filter feature to find a few that fit into their time constraints or ability level. Then they might look at pictures to see if a particular route captures their heart, saving that route to their profile to consult later.

2.2 Search Feature

The Search feature lets you transport to any location.

Unmistakable scenic view of the Matterhorn after “Teleporting” to Zermatt

The Search feature allows you to preview the 360-degree panorama you would see if you were actually at a location, i.e., if you’re interested in finding a hike that offers excellent views. The 3D maps will let you fly above the mountains to see hiking trails, roads, parking areas, and other viewpoints. Other features, like offline trail routing, are also available at any teleport location.

To Search a location, tap Menu → Explore to open the Search tab (magnifying glass). If the point is nearby, the map will scroll to it. If it’s far away, the app will teleport you there. Alternatively, tap the Teleport Button on the Brief Information Panel of any geographical object to set your location there.

You can search for a particular mountain, hut, or other geographical object by name. You can also use GPS coordinates; just type in the coordinates in the search field. Additionally, you can add another space after the search coordinates to add altitude above sea level.

2.3 Interacting With 3D Maps

All objects and their labels on PeakVisor’s 3D Maps are interactive. You can tap on various points of interest, including peaks, lakes, mountain passes, hiking trails, mountain huts, ski lifts and trails, backcountry ski routes, waterfalls, historic markers, and more to open up an information panel.

As in Panorama Mode, a Brief Information Panel appears when you tap an item. Tap on the Brief Information Panel to open the Detailed Information Panel (see 1.2 Mountain Details).

3D Map showing a route to the Refuge d’Aigle in the Écrins, French Alps, using the routing feature

You can use these panels to decide what mountain to hike next and evaluate the panoramic views from the summit. To access the panoramic views from a given location:

1. Tap an object on the map.
2. Tap the Teleport button.
3. Exit the 3D map.
4. See the views from that object.
5. Use the routing feature to compare various itineraries for your hike.

2.3.1 Map Legend

Here are a few screenshots with labels showing the main icons that you’ll come across while using PeakVisor’s 3D Maps.

2.3.2 Swiss Hiking Scale

The Swiss Hiking Scale is a standardized system developed by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) to classify the difficulty of hiking trails. It's one of the most widely used hiking grading systems in the Alps, where PeakVisor is based.

Swiss Hiking Scale: Levels Explained

The scale has six main difficulty grades, labeled T1 to T6, where "T" stands for "Trekking." Here's what each level means:

🟢 T1 – Hiking (“Wandern”)

• Trail: Well-marked paths, often paved or gravel, no exposure.
• Terrain: Flat or gently rolling; no risk of falling.
• Navigation: Easy; yellow signposts and trail markers.
• Skills Needed: Basic fitness. No mountain experience required.
• Shoes: Regular walking shoes are fine.

  Example: Old forest roads, valley trails

🟡 T2 – Mountain Hiking (“Bergwandern”)

• Trail: Narrower paths, may have roots, rocks, or steep bits.
• Terrain: Some exposure is possible; occasional handholds are required for balance.
• Navigation: White-red-white trail markings.
• Skills Needed: Surefootedness, basic orientation skills.
• Shoes: Hiking boots recommended.

  Example: Hikes to alpine pastures or mid-mountain huts.

🟠 T3 – Demanding Mountain Hiking (“Anspruchsvolles Bergwandern”)

• Trail: Rocky, uneven, may cross snowfields or scree.
• Terrain: Some exposed sections with potential falls.
• Navigation: Less obvious; good navigational skills needed.
• Skills Needed: Surefootedness, good balance, mountain experience.
• Shoes: High-quality hiking boots are required.

  Example: Trails crossing small passes or involving short scrambles (e.g., parts of the Haute Route).

🔴 T4 – Alpine Hiking (“Alpinwandern”)

• Trail: Not always visible; may require light climbing (use of hands).
• Terrain: Exposed, possibly unprotected, with steep drops.
• Navigation: Requires a compass/map.
• Skills Needed: Mountaineering skills, no fear of heights, route-finding.
• Shoes: Sturdy alpine boots.

  Example: Crossing high alpine passes, glacier edges (without crevasses), or climbing ridgelines.

🔵 T5 – Demanding Alpine Hiking (“Anspruchsvolles Alpinwandern”)

• Trail: Very exposed; climbing sections without fixed ropes.
• Terrain: Steep snowfields, glaciers.
• Navigation: Difficult, remote; must find your own way.
• Skills Needed: Alpine experience, climbing ability, rope skills.
• Shoes: Technical mountaineering boots.

  Example: Steep alpine summits or glacier routes without defined paths.

⚫ T6 – Difficult Alpine Hiking (“Schwieriges Alpinwandern”)

• Trail: Barely any; involves real climbing (UIAA grade I-II).
• Terrain: Serious exposure, remote and hazardous.
• Navigation: Completely self-reliant; no markings.
• Skills Needed: Full alpine competence, climbing, and rescue knowledge.
• Shoes: Mountaineering boots, often accompanied by a rope, helmet, and ice axe.

  Example: Isolated alpine summits with no marked route, such as lesser-known 3,000–4,000m peaks.

Additional Considerations

• The scale assumes good weather. Rain, snow, or fog can push a T3 route into T4 or higher.
• It only measures difficulty, not duration, elevation gain, or exposure to hazards like rockfall or flooding.
• Different sections of a trail can have mixed ratings (e.g., T2 to T3).

2.4 3D Map Settings

In the upper right-hand corner of 3D Maps, there’s a topo layer icon. You get a few great settings to play around with when you tap this.

2.4.1 Deactivate Satellite

Satellite Imagery shows what an area looks like in real life. Note that satellite imagery can vary depending on the season (summer or winter), particularly in terms of snow cover. You can turn off the satellite image inlay if you just want to see the 3D topomap.

Topomap uses a selection of colors to depict various types of land, such as forests, grasslands, water, and exposed rock. Deactivating satellite imagery allows for better visibility of elevation levels.

2.4.2 Winter vs. Summer Mode

Here’s the most important setting in this group. While summer mode features hiking and mountaineering routes, winter mode shows ski touring and ski mountaineering routes, along with winter-adapted satellite imagery.

2.4.3 Slope Angles

You can see the slope angle for all slopes above 30 degrees. Additionally, flat slopes are indicated in white. This feature is especially handy for backcountry skiers looking to identify avalanche terrain and snowboarders looking to avoid flat traverses.

2.4.4 Aspects

Toggle this setting to see the direction in which different slopes are facing. It’s a great setting for skiers looking to find the best snow on certain aspects. You can also use it to find or avoid the sun while hiking.

Topo, normal 3D Satellite, and Winter Mode

Aspect and slope angle

2.4.5 Get Mountain Information

Extensive information about any peak in the world is available on PeakVisor:

• Elevation
• Topographic prominence
• Distance from your location
• Peak Coordinates
• Mountain range
• Administrative regions
• Chairlifts and cable cars
• Categories & Peak Bagging lists
• Wikipedia description and links
• Photos (if available)

To access information about a specific peak:

1. Use the Search feature to select a specific peak. Alternatively, tap on a peak label in the 3D Maps.
2. Tap the Brief Information Panel to open the Detailed Information Panel for the peak. Note that if you do not have internet access (or poor internet), this information will be limited to the peak’s category, distance, elevation, mountain range, and administrative region.

The app has dozens of standard peak categories, including:

• Ultras – Mountains with a prominence of 1500 m (4950 ft) or more.
• Top 10 – The top 10 highest mountains in a region with a prominence of more than 300 meters (984 feet).
• Top 50 – The top 50 highest mountains in a region with a prominence of more than 300 meters (984 feet).

2.4.5.1 World Mountain Lifts

PeakVisor 3D Maps include cable cars and chairlifts throughout the world, as part of our ongoing World Mountain Lifts project.

Many of these lifts have opening and closing information updated in real time. Naturally, real-time updates are only available if there is internet.

• Lifts shown in green are currently open. You can tap a lift to see the schedule.
• Lifts shown in orange are planned openings, i.e., if you check a lift at 8:30 and it opens at 9. You can tap the lift to see the schedule and when it is supposed to open.
• Lifts shown in red are closed due to weather or long-term closure.
• Lifts will appear as dotted black lines if they are not running or if we have not yet provided scheduling information. Users are welcome to send the scheduling information to our developers at feedback@peakvisor.com.

If you check your favorite ski resort the night before, all lifts will be orange if they are planning on opening the next day. The lifts shown in red have other longer-term closures.

Tapping on a lift opens an information panel that shows additional details, such as the name, type of lift (e.g., gondola, chairlift), schedule, coordinates, elevation, vertical drop, distance, and a photo, if one has been uploaded to our database.

2.5 Routing

Navigation is one of the most important functions of PeakVisor’s 3D Maps. Using these maps, you can find route directions or estimate a trail’s profile at any time.

2.5.1 Offline Routing

PeakVisor offers offline 3D Route Mapping tools, allowing you to view your intended hike with enhanced accuracy. All of these routing features are available offline. You simply need to download the appropriate maps before your adventure.

NOTE: Offline map downloads require a PeakVisor PRO Subscription.

2.5.2 Creating a Route

To create a route, you first need to Teleport or Scroll to a location of interest, whether it be a parking lot, trailhead, mountain hut, or different peak.

The screenshot above shows the app teleported to La Meije (specifically Villar d’Arêne). For this tutorial, we will create a route to Lac du Pontet to demonstrate PeakVisor’s 3D Route Mapping feature.

Villar d’Arêne is your Current Location. The term Current Location can have two meanings:

• Your physical location as determined by your phone’s GPS.
• The location that you teleported to in PeakVisor’s 3D Maps.

To create a route, tap on any object on the map—a peak, a lake, a viewpoint, or a custom location (tap and hold longer)—to open a Brief Information Panel for that place.

[Lac du Pontet as shown on PeakVisor’s 3D maps.]

Tap the Plan Routes Button to start the routing process. These routes will be the most common for accessing your chosen destination. After pressing this button, you will see:

• Convenient trailheads (parking lots and mountain lifts) near this location.
• Color-coded trails on the map leading to the destination.
• A list summary of the trails shown on the map.

As you can see, the app picks up on the fact that most visitors drive up the road, then park to hike up to the lake. If you want that option, you can tap one of these routes to pull up a Brief Information Panel.

However, say you want to start at your current location (Villar d’Arêne). In that case, tap Set Destination. Alternatively, you can find the place where you want to start first and then select the destination. Either way works.

Here, we choose to start in Villar. Of the two routes shown, one follows the road and the other is a trail. Let’s say we want to be on a trail. We tap that route to select it, and we’re ready. You can save the route for later or tap “Start” when you’re ready to begin tracking.

The trail from Villar to Lac du Pontet is 2.4 km (1.7 mi) long, involves 359 m (1144 ft) of elevation gain, and is estimated to take an hour - but, you’ll want to take a swim at the top, of course.

The Routes feature is helpful in nearly every scenario:

• If you want to summit a peak, but don’t know where to start, PeakVisor will suggest all established routes to that location from various starting points.
• If you want to start at a certain trailhead, but don’t know any trails from that trailhead, PeakVisor will suggest all the established options.
• If you know where you want to start and finish, but don’t know any of the different routes, PeakVisor will tell you if there is an established route heading there.
• If you know where you want to start, where you want to go, and even already know what route you want to take, you can use the Routes feature to track yourself along the route or get more information about it.

You can modify your route after it’s been established. Tap and hold on another point within the 3D map. An information panel with a GPS coordinate and elevation will appear. Tap Extend Here to extend your route to the new location, or press More to add a Waypoint or replace the Start or End of your route.

2.5.3 Custom Routes

You can make entirely custom routes by tapping “Extend Here” to wherever you want to go. You can build entire backpacking loops using the app in this way. You can also check the schedules for mountain huts and cable cars as you plan your route.

2.5.4 Elevation Profile and Route Details

Once you have a routed trail, you will see the trail’s Elevation Profile in your screen's lower right-hand corner. Touch the Elevation Profile with your finger, and the corresponding place will appear on the map. You can move your finger along the contours of the Elevation Profile and see the location marker change along the route on the map. You can see where the route features ascents, flats, or descents, and evaluate the corresponding elevation changes.

You will also see the Route Details. Additional trail metrics include distance, minimum and maximum elevation, total elevation gain and loss, slope gradient, estimated time, and the elevation profile.

Use the Save option to save the route into your Trails List so you won't have to route it again later. Find it by going to Profile → Saved Trails. Imported and manually created routes are shown in orange, tracked routes are shown in purple.

Tap the Video Camera Button to create an animated flyover video that showcases the terrain you’ll travel through on this hike ( 2.8 Flyover Videos).

Tap the Close Loop button to see the round-trip in the route info. If there’s a way to make the hike a loop instead of an out-and-back, PeakVisor will automatically try to do that.

Access additional features by pressing the button with three dots (...) to the left of the Airplane Button. These features include:

• Share - Send the trail to your friends. This can be as a link, which will automatically open in the app if it’s already installed on their smartphone, or open the page on PeakVisor’s web browser. Or, you can download the GPX and send the trail that way. The GPX file can be opened in PeakVisor or any number of other apps.
• Drive Here - opens the mapping app of your choice (Google, Apple, Waze, etc.) to the starting point of your hike.
• Reverse – A tool to reverse your selected route's starting and ending points. For example, you can reverse the trail from the Maroon Lake Parking Area to West Maroon Pass for information about the return trip.
• Transport - PeakVisor will include ski lifts and other mountain infrastructure in your route.

To route a trail from another starting point:

1. Tap your preferred location on the map.
2. Choose More.
3. Tap Start Here.
4. View an estimated route from your new location to your previous destination.

To route to a different destination, use the “Replace End” button, with all the same steps as above.

Finally, some routes on PeakVisor feature Trail Markers. These colors and markers refer to different types of trails, such as:

• Blue Dash – Hiking trail (T1, T2)
• Blue-Yellow Dash – Demanding hiking trail (T3)
• Red-Black Dash – Climbing and scrambling (T4)

Keep in mind that these Trail Markers are just estimates. The app does its best to consider numerous terrain factors, but predictions are always subject to variable conditions over which PeakVisor has no control.

NOTE: Route estimates are for informational purposes only. The actual route you hike may vary from what you see on the 3D Map based on current weather and trail conditions. Additionally, your total mileage may vary slightly from what is displayed on PeakVisor. Trails may also involve scrambling or other similar technical challenges that are not obvious from the map. There is no substitute for proper navigation and route-finding skills in the mountains.

2.5.5 Off-Trail Routes

You can generate off-trail routes on PeakVisor. The app will generate a straight line from two places off-trail if you ask it to. This is a great way to get an Elevation Profile on unknown terrain, as well as total elevation gain/loss and distance. You can view the max gradient to see if there are any impossibly steep sections. You can also see the average slope angle.

For planning Ski Tours, which are generally off-trail, see Planning Ski Tours (Section 5.1).

2.5.6 Alternative Routes

Once you choose a destination or starting point, tap and hold, and an information panel with the Routes button will appear. When you tap this button, all established routes will appear on the 3D map and its accompanying list. This can be a good way to search for alternative trails if you’ve already completed a route or if the main route is too hard (or too easy).

Plenty of alternative routes up Mont Blanc (besides the Aiguille du Midi classic)

2.5.7 Trailhead Finder

Using the Plan Routes button, PeakVisor can also be used as a trailhead finder. Start at your preferred destination, tap the Plan Routes button, and PeakVisor will pull up all established routes heading to the nearest trailheads.

2.5.8 Export to GPX

Export any route on PeakVisor as a GPX. Tap the route and tap the Additional Actions (...) button at the bottom. Tap Share → Export as GPX. If you have a Garmin connected, there will also be an option to export directly to the device.

2.6 Import Menu

There are several things you can import into the PeakVisor app: Photos, trails (GPX files), bookmarks (from KML/KMZ files), and Garmin Device / Apple Health information. Go to Menu → Import, then choose either Import Photo, Import Trails or Bookmarks, Import from Apple Health (for Apple Watches), or Import from Garmin. Each of these items from this menu is covered in greater detail throughout the tutorial.

2.7 GPX Routes

PeakVisor allows you to Import GPX Routes to the app’s 3D Maps so you can see your past and future adventures with enhanced precision. PeakVisor also supports KML/KMZ and IGC file formats.

2.7.1 Import & Export GPX Routes

GPX files are the most common way of exchanging route information. PeakVisor fully supports GPX Files using the Import GPX Routes feature, allowing you to explore any route in 3D. Additionally, you can use the Export GPX Routes feature to export any trail you create in PeakVisor to an external device or platform.

2.7.2 Trails List

All routes you import or export can be found in your Trails List. Access the Trails List by tapping Menu → Profile → Saved Trails.

To Import GPX Routes, tap the Import Button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. This will add (pull) new GPX files into the app.

Alternatively, you can add (push) GPX files into PeakVisor from other apps on your device, such as your phone’s web browser. Simply tap on the GPX file and tap Share To. Select PeakVisor as the file destination. This is handy when you find an official route on a website, for example at a National Park site.

2.7.3 View GPX Routes in 3D

In PeakVisor, GPX Routes are presented in color (you can change the color by tapping the star button). These colors are distinct from other paths on the map, allowing you to easily follow your intended route.

2.7.4 Manage GPX Routes

You can manage all your tracked trails, Garmin synchronized trails, and imported GPX files from your Trails List. To manage your GPX Routes, tap Menu → Profile → Saved Trails.

From here, you can:

• Change the name of GPX routes
• Trim and edit routes
• Export routes as GPX files
• Remove routes (swipe left in the list)
• Change a route’s color (in the menu)

2.8 Flyover Videos

An image is worth a thousand words, and a video is basically hundreds of thousands of images. To help improve your route planning experience, PeakVisor offers Flyover Videos. They’re a great way to visualize a route and help understand the topography of a region.

2.8.1 Route Flyover Videos

These fly through a route, whether it’s a tracked hike, an imported GPX file, or a programmed route in the PeakVisor app.

1. Just find the trail in your saved trails folder and tap “Flyover” in the lower right.
2. You can then adjust settings, including duration, and whether or not to include a summary at the end.
3. You can save these videos to your phone and share them with friends. They generate at up to 60 frames per second, so they’re very high quality.

For tracked lines, they include any photos and videos that you took on the route, incorporating them at the point where you took them. You can choose which elements to include in the final video, allowing you to create a family-friendly version and a public one for social media. You can also trim the duration of videos to exclude unnecessary content from your flyover.

It effortlessly gives a cinematic quality to your adventures, creating media from your adventure that you can quickly upload to social media or share with friends.

2.8.2 Circular Flyover Videos

These fly around an object on the map, such as a summit, mountain hut, or lake.

1. Find a feature, such as a mountain peak, and tap the Video Camera Button in the Brief Information Panel at the bottom of the screen.

1. Choose the duration of the video, and the app will automatically fly around it, giving you a bird’s eye view.
2. Save the Flyover Video. PeakVisor records your Flyover Video on the go. When the animation stops, press Save if you wish to keep the video.

2.9 Custom Waypoints

Even the most detailed map in the world requires some tweaks and customizations to make it worthwhile for your adventures. To help you out, PeakVisor allows you to add Custom Waypoints in 3D Maps.

PeakVisor also lets you highlight important geographic features, such as landing options for hang gliders, planned camping sites for backpackers, important reference points for trekkers, or spectacular photo spots for photographers.

A Custom Waypoint showing the location of some seracs on the Tabuchet Glacier

The Custom Waypoints feature lets you tag any place on the map or add a completely new marker. You can organize your markers into three shapes: Star, Flag, or Bookmark.

Every marker can be shaded in 1 of 9 colors. You can choose what each color and shape marker combination means. For example, red stars might be your favorite summits, and green flags might refer to your planned camping sites. The options are endless.

To add Custom Waypoints:

1. Tap and hold a location in the 3D Map to bring up the Brief Information Panel.
2. Tap the Star in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to insert a waypoint.
3. Tap the Brief Information Panel to open the Custom Waypoint Panel.
4. Tap the location's name and type in a custom name for your waypoint.
5. Tap the Star icon again to select a custom shape and color for your waypoint.
6. Tap the X Button to return to the 3D Map.
7. Access your wishlist and bookmarked custom waypoints by going to Menu → Profile (Your name) → Bookmarks.

2.9.1 Importing KML/KMZ Waypoints

PeakVisor is now supporting KML/KMZ files. These files began as Google’s proprietary file for their apps, used for storing geographical bookmarks on Google apps, including Google Earth. They are also used on numerous other sites, like Maps.me, Gaia GPS, and Organic Maps.

Many folks already have a cache of saved locations on another platform, i.e., Google Earth. Now, a user with a lifetime of saved waypoints on Google Earth can simply download a KMZ file and import it into PeakVisor.

1. Open up the application where you have saved your waypoints (i.e., Google Earth, Maps.me). There will be a save feature - save the file as a KMZ if you have the option, or a KML (KMZ files contain multiple KML files into a single zipped file and are of higher quality).
2. Google Earth doesn’t allow you to do this from the app on your mobile phone - you’ll have to use your desktop and then send the file to your mobile phone. Meanwhile, the popular mountain biking app Trailforks allows you to download KMLs right to your phone from the mobile app. In any case, once the file is on your mobile phone, simply open the PeakVisor app and go to Import → Import Trails or Bookmarks, then choose your new KML/KMZ file.
3. Now that you’ve imported your new file, go to your profile tab, where your file will be in the Bookmarks folder (for waypoints) or the Saved Trails folder if your file already showcases a route (for example, you can download routes from Trailforks as a KML, which is quite similar to GPX).
4. Once you’ve located your new waypoints in the Bookmarks folder, you can do all the awesome things that you’ve been able to do before on PeakVisor, including mapping routes to your desired waypoint or Teleporting and checking out the surrounding terrain on the 3D map with the Flyover feature.

With PeakVisor, you can identify mountains in real time using the camera on your device. Alternatively, you can identify mountains in pre-existing photos from past adventures using PeakVisor’s Import Photos feature.

The only requirement for identifying mountains in pre-existing photos is that those images must have a GPS tag. These tags are automatically turned on in iOS devices (iPhone) by default. However, you may need to enable this feature on other devices. Additionally, this feature may not be available on photos taken on certain digital cameras.

If you have GPS-tagged pre-existing photos, you can import them into the PeakVisor app for mountain identification. Tap Menu → Import → Photo Import to choose a photo. Or, you can select a photo in your device’s camera roll and share it with PeakVisor. To import a photo to PeakVisor:

1. Navigate to your Photos Library.
2. Select a photo.
3. Tap Share → PeakVisor.

Once you import a photo to PeakVisor, you can start the peak identification process. This process for pre-existing photos is the same for real-time Mountain Identification.

As with real-time Mountain Identification, you can align mountain silhouettes, choose labels to keep or discard, add captions, and take a selfie to customize your Mountain Photo.

After customizing your photo, tap the green Save Button on the right-hand side of your screen to save the photo to your phone’s camera roll. Note that your photo may be saved to a new PeakVisor album in your camera roll.

Many mountain adventures take you away from a reliable cell phone signal. In these situations, you must download offline maps to access PeakVisor’s features. Offline Mapping is available for PeakVisor Pro subscribers.

The nature of 3D maps means large file sizes. Due to storage limitations on your device, you will want to download maps for specific regions you plan to adventure in. To manage offline maps, navigate to Menu → Maps Coverage.

You have two options to download Offline Maps for a specific area:

1. Use the Search Bar to locate a peak, city, mountain range, or another point of interest.
2. Tap on the 3D Map to select a specific region.

NOTE: To minimize the volume of downloaded maps, you can store small custom regions for your next hike. For example, you can save a map of the Dolomites in Italy instead of a map of the whole Alps. Zoom in on the map and tap your preferred region to download a map for your custom region.

To manage your offline maps, navigate to Menu → Map Coverage. Here you can configure your map coverage settings. You can choose between various mapping layers and features, such as:

• HD Maps – High-precision mountain models.
• Terrain Types – Land surface types that provide more realistic panoramas.
• Hiking Trails – Walkways and roads for navigation.
• Satellite – Satellite imagery for more realistic terrain visualization.

In the Map Coverage menu, you can also:

• Choose whether the app can download maps only via WiFi or if PeakVisor can download maps using your cellular data.
• Decide how far away from the center of your maps PeakVisor will be able to identify mountains. Higher distances increase the storage space required by each map.
• Check the storage space used by your Offline Maps and free up space whenever needed.

4.1 Optimizing Storage Space on PeakVisor

Because PeakVisor’s maps are highly detailed, they take up a lot of hard drive storage space. For users with limited space, it may be necessary to free up storage every once in a while. Here are the steps to free up storage space:

1. Go to Menu → Map Coverage.
2. At the bottom is a section called ‘Stats’. Reset the ‘Other Cached Maps’ section if it’s using too much space.

You can also update your current maps in this section by tapping download beside ‘Map updates available.

PeakVisor was born as a peak identification app and evolved into a 3D mapping service catered to hikers and mountaineers. Our team is continually working to expand the app’s capabilities and has integrated a winter mode into the PeakVisor app.

Winter Mode is simple to access. Go to 3D Maps and find the toggle in the Topo Layers Icon in the upper right corner. You can also go to Menu → Advanced Settings and toggle the switch for Winter Mode.

Once you activate winter mode, a few changes occur in the app:

• Mountains are shown with white contrast.
• Instead of hiking routes, the Route Finder will show ski touring routes.
• Ski resort pistes will also show up on the map.
• You can choose a layer that shows slope steepness, which is helpful for identifying avalanche terrain. You can also choose Aspect, which is helpful for identifying snow conditions based on sun exposure. Activate these layers using the layer icon in the upper right-hand corner of the 3D map.

Naturally, you can use all the same tracking and GPX upload features. Winter Mode makes PeakVisor as useful for ski touring as it is for hiking and mountaineering.

5.1 Planning Ski Tours

PeakVisor has thousands of ski touring routes already on the app, with more being added every day. That said, you may want to plann your own route, in which case you use our off off-trail routing feature.

The app will generate a route from one point to another. It then shows your the elevation profile and distance. Find your starting point, tap Plan Routes, then Start Here. Then tap any point you want to go. You can add nuances to your route by working slowly toward your destination, tapping the Extend Here button to keep adding to it.

Because you can’t predict how your ski tour will switchback up the mountain, the off-trail routing usually underestimates total distances. But it’s useful for knowing how much elevation you’ll have to do, which is the main measure of difficulty in ski touring.

Once you’re finished with your route, tap the Save button to store it for later or share it with friends.

Using the off-trail routing feature to design a realistic ski tour

The Profile is the primary storage record of your adventures in PeakVisor. Here you can see your highest and most prominent check-ins and the total number of mountains, alpine huts, passes, and lakes you’ve visited. You can also see all of your tracked adventures and your achievements on PeakVisor challenges.

Your Profile lists all your check-ins chronologically, with the most recent at the top. You can filter your check-ins by tapping the Check-in Counters under your name, which is helpful if you want to review all of the peaks, lakes, alpine huts, or passes you’ve visited.

All check-ins are also organized into lists quickly accessible through the thumbnails under the Check-in Counters. The app has several lists:

• Peak Bagging Lists - 14ers of Colorado, Munros of Scotland, 4000ers of the Alps, and 46 Adirondack High Peaks, etc.
• Administrative Regions - Including countries, states, counties, cantons, regions, and provinces.
• Mountain Ranges - the Himalayas, Alps, and Rockies, etc.
• Nature Reserves - including national parks, national forests, and wilderness areas.

If you notice a Peak Bagging list is missing from your region, please let us know. The PeakVisor team would happily add your local list to the PeakVisor database.

Finally, we will send you a monthly email with information about your Peak Bagging experience. This email includes monthly stats and highlights to reminisce about your recent achievements.

6.1 Peak Bagging & Travel Logbook

Peak Bagging is an activity in which outdoor enthusiasts attempt to reach a collection of summits that share a similar geographic area, elevation, prominence, or other feature. Most peak baggers seek to summit all the peaks in a given list, such as the 100 Peaks of Taiwan.

PeakVisor has an extensive database of peak bagging lists for hikers of all skill levels and geographical regions. You can track your progress using PeakVisor’s Peak Bagging feature.

PeakVisor allows you to track and collect check-ins at more than just mountains. In addition to summits, you can use the app to check in at passes, mountain huts, and lakes. Doing so updates your Profile regardless of where your adventures might take you.

To start Peak Bagging with PeakVisor:

1. Navigate to Menu → Profile.
2. Create an account on the Profile screen using the Sign in with Apple Button. Creating an account allows us to save your travel achievements, so you can later access them using a new device.
3. Customize your name and photo avatar.
4. Collect check-ins in your Profile by heading outside on a hike, cycle, ski, or any other type of outing.
5. Check in at summits, lakes, mountain passes, and mountain huts during your adventures.
6. View your past check-ins in your Profile.

If you don’t want to miss check-in opportunities while hiking, enable push notifications. This setting lets PeakVisor notify you when you’re near a check-in opportunity. To enable push notifications:

1. Navigate to Menu → Advanced Settings.
2. Turn on Check-in Notifications.
3. Check that push notifications are enabled for PeakVisor on your device.
4. Collect check-ins on all your future hikes!

6.2 Summit Registers

There are thousands of summit registers worldwide to let hikers and climbers leave a text note for those who climb the mountain in the future. They provide a fantastic insight into the people whose footsteps you follow to the summit.

The tradition originates from the need for climbers to prove their first ascent claims. Climbers began leaving a note from their ascent in a cairn at the summit, so others could verify that they had made the first ascent.

However, with more than a million mountains in the world, the vast majority of peaks don’t feature a summit book. Thankfully, PeakVisor has come to the rescue.

Every mountain in the PeakVisor app has a virtual Summit Register that you can use to leave your message for future hikers. You can attach a text note or a photo when checking in at a summit.

6.3 Challenges

PeakVisor often offers various challenges to its user base. We design these challenges to ramp up excitement about spending time outdoors generally, and climbing mountains specifically.

When users complete a challenge, they are awarded an achievement badge on their profile. These challenges always take place over the course of a month, and users will be notified via the monthly summary email they receive at the start of the month.

You can always view the current monthly challenge in your profile. Challenges take various forms, such as check-ins in different U.S. States or European countries, and are tailored to your current location. There are generally three tiers; a different achievement badge will be awarded for those with check-ins in either 1,3, or 5 states, for example. Achievement badges then appear in a user’s profile.

6.4 Karma Score

The PeakVisor Team is an eclectic gang of programmers, topography nerds, and outdoor enthusiasts, so it’s only natural that we want to quantify our outdoor achievements. The Trail Karma score serves to measure all your mountain activity into one crisp number. That means tracking adventures, uploading photos, and completing challenges and check-ins will earn you points.

Simply sign in, and voila! Your first +5 karma!

After that, your Karma is:

• Check-ins: +3 for each, and +10 if it is a Pioneer Check-in (the first one at that place). Venture from the beaten path to improve your Karma faster!
• Photo submissions: +1 for each photo and +3 if there was no photo previously. Be the first to photograph a place!
• Adventures tracked: +3 for each hour of tracking and an additional +3 if you make this trail public for others to explore
• Monthly challenges: +5 for each level achieved (they usually consist of 3 levels each month)

Earning Karma Contributes to the PeakVisor App

All you “Karmaphiles” out there may be wondering how the Trail Karma score contributes to the greater Karmic ecosystem. Sure, getting a high score is personally fun and rewarding, but how does it benefit others?

Here’s the rub: Whenever you track an activity, upload a photo, or check in at a location, you make our app better for everyone! We use this information to recommend the best trails to our users, especially with the new Discover feature. For example, we can see the most popular trails and offer prospective hikers a photo of the route.

7.1 Linking Your Garmin GPS

Linking a Garmin device to PeakVisor could hardly be more straightforward.

1. Follow Garmin’s detailed tutorial to link your device with your smartphone. Unless you are a brand-new Garmin user, you have likely already done this.
2. To link your Garmin to PeakVisor, simply open the PeakVisor app → Menu → Import → Import from Garmin → Sign into your Garmin account.

7.2. Using a Garmin Device to Navigate a Route on PeakVisor

Once you’ve signed into Garmin on PeakVisor as instructed above, sharing routes to view on your Watch or Cycling Computer is easy. Simply pull up the route in question, tap Share in the upper right-hand corner, and tap Send to Garmin, sending the route to your Garmin Account.

The steps to pull up the route on your Garmin device will vary depending on which device you have. Unless you are new to your Garmin device, you likely already know how to start a GPX track from your Garmin Account, but if you don’t, you can use the Garmin Support Center.

7.3 Linking Your Suunto

Connecting your Suunto watch to PeakVisor is quick and simple.

1. Install the Suunto mobile app and pair your watch following Suunto’s instructions (see Suunto Support if needed).
2. In PeakVisor, open Menu → Import → Import from Suunto and sign in with your Suunto account to authorize syncing.

7.4 Linking Apple Health

Connecting Apple Health to PeakVisor is quick and simple.

1. On your iPhone, open the Health app and complete the initial setup (pair an Apple Watch if you plan to sync workouts).
2. In PeakVisor, open Menu → Import → Import from Apple Health and grant the requested permissions to read your workouts and routes (optionally allow writing workouts back to Health).

To adapt to your adventure needs, the PeakVisor app provides multiple customization settings. You can access these customization settings by navigating to Menu → Advanced Settings.

From the Advanced Settings menu, you can change or enable:

• Units of Length – Choose between metric and imperial units.
• Temperature - Celsius vs. Fahrenheit
• Widget Theme - Change the Peak of the Day widget style.
• Enlarged Labels & Thick Silhouettes – Enable thicker silhouettes and larger labels for Mountain Identification and Mountain Photos.
• Check-ins Notifications - If you are not using the app’s tracking feature, you will need to manually check in at summits and other designated check-in zones. This toggle allows PeakVisor to send a notification when you reach a check-in zone, i.e., a summit or mountain hut. If you already like to use tracking, then this toggle will also activate a reminder to start tracking when you reach a trailhead.
• Winter Mode – Enables the visualization of ski runs, ski tours, and uses wintertime satellite imagery.
• Hide Clouds - Don’t show cloud shadows in PeakVisor 3D Maps.
• 60fps Flyover – Renders fly-over videos with a gorgeous 60fps frame rate for higher quality videos.
• Hide Watermark - Don’t show the PeakVisor logo in the bottom left-hand corner of PeakVisor photos.
• Automatic Compass Adjustment – Allows the app to use computer vision to adjust compass readings on your device.
• Automatic AR/3D Toggling - whether the app switches between 3D maps and camera view (augmented reality), depending on where you point your phone.
• Free Horizon – Helps fix gyroscope issues that occur when the app doesn’t account for large bias in its readings.
• Restore Recorded Track – Used only in exceptional circumstances and suggested by our support team when needed. Allows you to restore recently deleted tracked routes or manage a problem with tracking.

Like all passionate outdoor enthusiasts, we want to see majestic mountains every day, even from the confines of our computers.

There's much to explore, with more than a million mountains on Earth. Thankfully, the Peak of the Day widget lets you see Earth’s finest summits on your device’s home screen. The list is manually curated by our editorial team every day.

The Peak of the Day widget is available on iPhones and iPads in several shapes and sizes. You can decide if you’d like small or large widgets and how much text you want to see on your screen.

Tap on a mountain in the Peak of the Day widget for detailed information. There’s an option to Teleport to the summit from the widget. Doing so opens the PeakVisor app and allows you to check out the local 3D Map and the panorama from the summit.

To add the Peak of the Day widget:

1. Tap and hold anywhere on the Home Screen or Widget Screen of your iOS device; the icons will start shaking, and you’ll see a + Button appear on your screen.
2. Tap on the + Button on your screen. Depending on your device, this may be on the top left or right of your screen.
3. Scroll down to PeakVisor and choose one of the four available Peak of the Day widget options.
4. Find the best spot on your Home Screen or Widget Screen for the world's most beautiful mountains.
5. Enjoy a new Peak of the Day every day!

The PeakVisor app is available for free download and use. The limitations of the free version are that you can use the app at only one location per day and must be online to use the app’s features. You can still plan a hike, evaluate nearby destinations, identify peaks, or process photos from a recent hike.

Feature	Free	Premium
Peak Identification	✅	✅
Online 3D Maps	✅	✅
Offline Maps	❌	✅
GPX Import/Export	❌	✅
Unlimited Daily Usage	❌	✅

If you wish to use the app more frequently or access Offline Mapping, PeakVisor PRO is required. The PeakVisor PRO subscription costs less than a paper map of a hiking area, but it covers the whole world. Plus, it gets updated regularly. What more could you want?

The PeakVisor PRO subscription is the best option for utilizing all the app’s features in remote environments. Using PeakVisor Pro also means you have access to all of the powerful features on the app, such as Custom Trails and offline Mountain Identification.

Not sure that PeakVisor PRO is right for you?

Enjoy a 1-week free trial of PeakVisor PRO on us. You can test the subscription’s features and decide if it’s worth your money.

If you decide that PeakVisor PRO is the right option, there are four subscription options. You can choose between a monthly and an annual subscription plan. The annual subscription offers a discount over the monthly option and allows you to prepay for a year of adventure.

The third option is the lifetime subscription. You’ll have access to the PeakVisor app on any smartphone for the rest of your life. Prices vary by country, but the lifetime version typically pays for itself within less than four years over the annual subscription and even less time over the monthly subscription.

Finally, PeakVisor allows the Family Sharing feature. That means that you need only one subscription per household. All your family members can use the same PRO subscription that you use to map their treks and plan future outings.