OS Maps App – Review
By Steve Crabtree, March 2026
There is nothing quite like a walk in Calderdale. We’re lucky to have some of the best views in the country right on our doorstep, and usually, the dog and the family are more than happy with our local mileage loops. But from time to time we want to go further afield. Find those hidden trails that don’t just involve the same tracks and hills.
The problem with that is, whenever we try to ‘wing it’ using Google, it’s a total lottery. You find a walk that looks great on a blog, only to turn up and find the parking is a ditch. Or the ‘leisurely stroll’ is actually a scramble through a swamp. I’ve lost count of the times an eight-mile loop has turned out to be a disappointing two mile semi-circle because the directions were written by someone with a very loose grasp of distance!
So, having something that actually knows the difference between a bridleway and a dead end is important. Which is how the OS Maps app became my go-to trail guide…
What’s in the box
Because it’s an app, you’re getting an instant download. But the Premium subscription unlocks a massive digital kit bag:
- Full access to OS Explorer (1:25k) and OS Landranger (1:50k) maps.
- Offline map downloads (essential for the Yorkshire valleys).
- Over 1.5 million ready-made routes to follow.
- 3D map views and AR “PeakFinder” features.
- Tablets, mobile, and desktop syncing.
- Global basic mapping for trips abroad.
Trusting the trail
The sign up and set up is easy. If you’re used to using map or tracking apps, this will be familiar to you. And, if you’re not, don’t worry – its simple to fathom out.
You’ll be welcomed with a list of popular routes near you, and some favourites from places you’ve been before. And with that, the biggest hurdle for me is always the starting point faff. With this app, you aren’t just guessing. It gives you the exact coordinates of where to leave the car and what kind of terrain you’re about to hit. It’s got thousands of recommendations. They’re all nicely plotted out with elevation details, so you know exactly how many steep climbs you’re committing the kids to before you leave the house.
So, you press start, then you’re following something that’s pretty much a walking sat-nav. No wrong turns, no confusion of “Is this a track, or just a gap that we’ll need to turn back out of?”
You can also choose to record your own activity and track your own routes. We all love to know our mileage, and this acts similar to other tracking and fitness apps that you might be subscribed to.
“Never lost, even with no bars”
After a couple of walks, I contributed my own route for others to find. It’s a lot of fun doing that, so make sure you plot yours! Keep an eye out for my North Dean Woods and Norland Moor Circular walk if you’re fancying a proper Calderdale leg-stretcher! You can even add photos to your routes so people can see exactly what they’re getting into.
It connects up to your smartwatch too, meaning I can keep my phone tucked away and just glance at my wrist to make sure I’m still on the right path.
Oh – another thing we all know is that the second you drop into a valley in West Yorkshire, your 5G disappears faster than a plate of biscuits at a toddler’s birthday party! In the past, that’s meant the map stops loading and you’re left with a screen that’s more confused than you are.
The OS Maps app solves this by letting you navigate on the go with maps and routes downloaded directly to your phone. Having that offline access is a massive peace of mind. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got zero signal; the GPS still knows exactly where you are on the high-res map. It’s saved us from a wrong-turn argument more than once, and it’s the main reason I won’t go for a proper trek without it. You’re never lost, even with no bars.
OS Maps app fact file
- Britain’s most popular outdoor navigation app.
- Around half a million active subscribers.
- Third biggest outdoor navigation app in the world.
- Over five million users across 78 different countries.
- 12.6 million routes shared on the app so far.
- Total distance shared is 478 million kilometres – enough to reach Mars and back!
The verdict
I really like this app. It’s not just handy, it’s like a geographical factbook as well as Map application. I’m really impressed with how much this has opened up our weekends, taking the guesswork out of where we’re going to walk next and replaced it with a bit of genuine excitement. I think it’s easy to use, and the detail is honestly first-class. It’s one of the few subscriptions I actually feel is worth every penny of the yearly fee.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a serious hiker or just someone who wants to take the dog somewhere new without getting stranded in a bog, it’s a cracking investment. Or, if you’re fed up with ‘mystery’ that leads nowhere, this is for you.
It’s made our family walks a lot more adventurous and a lot less stressful, and that’s a massive win in my book.
The OS Maps App is available to download for free from osmaps.com. Premium Subscription: £34.99 per year.
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
