Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit!

Spring is here, and it's time to hit the trails! Apple’s latest iOS 18.4 update, released on March 31, brought some fun new features, but it’s iOS 18 that took the Maps app up a notch, especially for hiking enthusiasts.

Plan Your Perfect Outdoor Adventure!

Now you can easily create custom walking, running, or hiking routes right from your iPhone! This handy feature helps you avoid getting lost while also providing details about the distance and elevation changes. Picture this: you're hiking in Denver, and your phone simply reminds you, "It’s just up there!" How cool is that?

Your Ultimate Guide to Mapping Routes!

Ready to map your adventure? Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting your custom route using Apple Maps:

How to Create Your Custom Route in Apple Maps:

1. Open the Maps app on your iPhone.

2. Press and hold where you'd like your route to start, dropping a pin.

3. Tap on 'More' and then select 'Create a Custom Route'.

From there, just tap around the map to plot your route! You can choose intersections or landmarks like cafes and shops to make your path more interesting. Want to get creative? You can even select locations far away, and Apple Maps will find a sensible route that doesn’t involve any wall-smashing!

Explore Route Options!

As you craft your route, you’ll have three different options to enhance your hiking experience:

- **Reverse:** This flips your route so that your finish line becomes your starting point!

- **Out & Back:** A straightforward route where you start and finish at the same place.

- **Close Loop:** Perfect for circular routes — start and end where you began!

Save It and Explore!

Once you’ve designed your route, just hit 'Save', name your new journey, and then tap 'Done'. The best part? Your custom route is downloaded directly to your iPhone, ensuring you won’t lose signal in the wild!

Access Your Custom Route Anytime!

After saving, retrieving your custom route is a breeze. Here’s how to access it:

1. Open the Maps app.

2. Tap on 'Places, Guides and Routes' located beneath the search bar.

3. Select 'Routes' to find what you’ve created.

4. Choose your desired route and start your adventure!

If you're close to the starting point, just tap 'Go' for instant directions. If you need to get there first, tap 'Directions' and let Apple Maps guide you!

Get Ready to Explore!

With this exciting iOS feature, your spring hiking adventures just got a whole lot easier. Get out there, explore new trails, and enjoy the great outdoors like never before!