AllTrails Introduces New $80 Smart Membership with AI Trail Features: Is It Worth It?
Have you ever hit the trail only to find it’s more crowded, muddy, or difficult than you expected? Maybe you’ve been halfway up a hike and thought, “I wish I had known this part was so steep!” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and now, AllTrails wants to help.
The popular outdoor app just rolled out a brand-new membership option: the AllTrails+ Smart Membership for $80 a year. This isn’t just your typical premium subscription. It includes AI-powered Smart Routes designed to personalize your hiking experience based on your preferences, fitness level, and even weather conditions.
So, what does this mean for everyday hikers and weekend wanderers? Let’s dig into the details.
What Is the AllTrails+ Smart Membership?
The AllTrails+ Smart Membership is the latest subscription tier from AllTrails, a well-known platform among outdoor enthusiasts. With over 60 million users worldwide, the app provides detailed trail maps, reviews, photos, and now… AI-driven route customization.
So, what’s new with this $80 upgrade?
- AI-Powered Smart Routes: Get trail suggestions tailored to your preferences, pace, and time constraints.
- Priority customer service and enhanced features like offline map downloads, wrong-turn alerts, and 3D maps.
- Personalized route options that take into account real-time weather, trail popularity, elevation, and your past activity.
- Fewer crowds, better views, and a hike that suits your day—that’s the promise.
So, How Does the AI Work?
Glad you asked! The AI technology behind the Smart Routes takes data from your past hikes, your chosen difficulty level, and even weather patterns to create a custom trail experience. Think of it like a digital hiking buddy who already knows your style.
For example, if you usually go on moderate hikes that are 3-5 miles long, the AI won’t suggest an all-day 12-mile grueling climb unless you ask for it. And if the trail is muddy or unusually crowded, it may recommend an alternative nearby. Pretty neat, right?
What’s Included in AllTrails+ vs. Smart Membership?
If you’re already an AllTrails+ subscriber, you might be wondering how this differs from what you currently have.
Here’s how the new Smart Membership adds value on top of the regular AllTrails+ perks:
- AllTrails+ still gives you offline maps, 3D trail views, wrong-turn alerts, and more.
- The Smart features go a step further by using AI to proactively suggest better hiking options based on your preferences.
- Interactive updates so your hike can adapt based on changing conditions—think detours if rain hits or if the trail gets too crowded.
It’s essentially a “smarter” version of the premium service, with an extra layer of assistance from machine learning and personalization.
Why Hikers Might Love This
We’ve all had less-than-ideal hiking days. Sometimes trail conditions aren’t great, or the loop we picked felt a little too ambitious halfway through. AllTrails’ new Smart Membership is like an experienced local guide in your pocket.
Here’s why this might be a game-changer:
- Less guesswork: You no longer have to filter through endless trails wondering which is right for you.
- Custom routes save time: Need a scenic but quick hike before dinner with friends? The AI can find one.
- Weather-smart trails: If it’s been raining, the app can send you to a trail that drains well instead of one that becomes a mud pit.
Imagine going for a hike and actually feeling that the trail fits your mood and energy. That’s the experience AllTrails is aiming for.
Real Talk: Is It Worth $80/Year?
$80 a year breaks down to about $6.67 per month. That’s less than a Netflix subscription—and for avid or even casual hikers, it could be well worth it.
Here’s when it’s probably a great buy:
- You hike regularly and want to make each experience more enjoyable and effective.
- You often hike in unfamiliar territory and want smarter route guidance without spending hours planning.
- You rely on trail apps for safety and love features like wrong-turn alerts and offline access.
But if you only hit the trails once in a blue moon, the basic free or regular AllTrails+ might be enough.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Hiking Apps
While other apps like GAIA GPS and Komoot offer navigation and route planning, AllTrails stands out because of its huge user-generated review base and now, its intelligent route suggestions.
The AI-driven Smart Routes feature is relatively new in this space and gives AllTrails an edge when it comes to personalization and adaptability—two things outdoor lovers are coming to expect more of with modern tech.
An Example: A Stress-Free Sunday Hike
Let’s say it’s Sunday morning and you wake up itching for a quick morning hike. You open the AllTrails app and get a Smart Route recommendation: a 4-mile loop just 25 minutes away, rated moderate, with fewer crowds and great wildflowers right now.
Instead of scrolling through dozens of trails or worrying about traffic, the app has you laced up and ready to go by 9 AM. That’s the kind of value Smart Membership offers.
Final Thoughts: Who Is AllTrails Smart Membership For?
In a world full of choices, having a digital trail assistant that filters out the noise can be extremely helpful. The AllTrails Smart Membership is ideal for those who:
- Love discovering new trails tailored to their ability
- Appreciate avoiding crowded or muddy paths
- Want to make the most of every hike, no matter the weather or location
If you’re a nature lover looking for better, smarter adventures, this new AI-powered feature may be just what you need to elevate your hiking game.
So, what do you think? Would you pay extra for a more personalized trail experience?
Get Started with AllTrails+ Smart Membership Today
If this sounds like a trail-worthy investment, you can check out the new Smart Membership on the AllTrails app or website. Whether you’re exploring local parks or planning mountain adventures, this new tool could be the hiking partner you didn’t know you needed.
Happy (and smart) hiking!