Planning a hike today is very different from the old days. Back then, it was all about guidebooks and paper maps. Now, apps like All Trails make it much easier. Their new premium membership, All Trails Peak, offers features like AI-powered custom trail routing, real-time trail conditions, a community heatmap, and even an Outdoor Lens tool that identifies plants and trees with just a phone camera.
I had the chance to be spoke by Explore from Yahoo! Life about using AI tools for hiking, and I want to share my perspective. While AI can be helpful, mountains are unpredictable. Weather changes quickly, trails can be tricky, and no algorithm can fully replace human judgment.
As the owner of Mountain Madness and founder of Alpine Athletics, I’ve spent years helping people pursue their mountain goals safely. Mountain Madness guides mountaineering, trekking, and skiing adventures, while Alpine Athletics focuses on holistic preparation for athletes of all levels. From my experience, AI is useful—but it has its limits.
AI can provide useful baseline info, like distance, elevation gain, and general crowd-sourced impressions. But it doesn’t replace real-time judgment or experience. I see AI as a good starting point for inspiration or quick research—but I wouldn’t treat it as your main source of truth, especially if you’re going into remote areas, tackling difficult terrain, or are new to hiking.
One of my biggest concerns is that AI can’t really assess you personally. It can’t know if you’re afraid of heights, if you’ve ever hiked in snow, or how your body handles altitude. What’s “easy” for one person could be very risky for someone with less experience or fitness. Unlike a human guide or ranger, AI won’t pick up subtle warning signs that come with years of experience. It wouldn’t know whether you’re comfortable on steep or exposed terrain, and those details matter.
If you’re going to try tools like All Trails Peak, I recommend using them as a starting point—not your final plan. Always double-check information, check the weather yourself, and pack for changing conditions. Above all, be willing to turn around if things feel off. Remember: the mountain isn’t going anywhere.
AI tools can make planning easier, but they’re not a substitute for experience, judgment, and preparation. Use them wisely, and let them complement your skills—not replace them.