10 Best Gps Hiking Watches 2025 in the United States

The Apple Watch Series 11 offers a highly accurate GPS system supporting multiple satellite networks, which is great for tracking your location during hikes. Its built-in altimeter, compass, and sensors like a barometer help provide essential ABC data that hikers rely on. The watch’s screen is bright and always on, making it easy to glance at maps and stats outdoors. However, the 24-hour battery life may be limiting for long, multi-day hikes unless you recharge frequently or use the low power mode, which extends it to about 38 hours but might reduce some functionalities.

When it comes to durability, the Series 11 is well-built with water resistance up to 50 meters and dust resistance, making it tough enough to handle most outdoor conditions. Health monitoring is a strong point, with heart rate tracking, ECG, blood oxygen levels, and even sleep and hypertension notifications, which are valuable for fitness-focused users. The device excels in connectivity, allowing calls, texts, music, and Siri commands when paired with an iPhone, but it lacks offline detailed topographic mapping, which is often a key feature in specialized hiking watches.

The user interface is intuitive, with a responsive touchscreen and physical controls that are easy to operate on the trail. The Apple Watch Series 11 serves as an excellent all-around smartwatch with robust health and fitness tracking suited for casual to moderate hikers who prioritize connectivity and health insights. Serious backcountry hikers who need longer battery life and extensive offline maps might find it less ideal.

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a strong contender in the hiking GPS watch category, especially for users who want a versatile multisport smartwatch with robust outdoor features. Its GPS system uses precision dual-frequency technology, which improves location accuracy, an important factor for hiking and trail navigation. The watch includes essential ABC sensors—altimeter, barometer, and compass—that help with elevation tracking and orientation. Its rugged titanium case and sapphire crystal display offer excellent durability, including 100m water resistance and military-grade environmental testing, making it reliable in tough outdoor conditions.

Battery life is solid, lasting up to 42 hours with normal use and extending to 72 hours in Low Power Mode, which supports extended trips but may require some management to maximize runtime. Mapping and navigation features are enhanced by a bright, easy-to-read display even in bright sunlight and an Action button for quick access to key functions. The watch also supports satellite communication for emergency texting without cell service, a valuable safety feature for remote hiking. Heart rate monitoring and advanced health tracking provide insightful data, including notifications for irregular rhythms and sleep apnea, which add value beyond pure navigation. Connectivity is excellent, with 5G cellular, LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth options, allowing users to stay connected without their phone.

The user interface is intuitive with customizable controls, a responsive touchscreen, and voice assistant integration, making it user-friendly for beginners. On the downside, the watch is relatively large and heavier compared to typical hiking watches, which might feel bulky during long treks. Also, its full capabilities are best accessed within the Apple ecosystem, requiring an iPhone and iOS 18 or later, which could limit users on other platforms. Battery life, while good, is shorter than some specialized GPS hiking watches designed explicitly for multi-day use without charging. This model suits hikers who want a durable, feature-rich smartwatch that doubles as a health tracker and communication device, particularly if they already use Apple products. For those prioritizing the longest possible battery life or a lighter, more traditional hiking GPS watch, other options might be preferable.

The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers solid GPS functionality with built-in GPS, which makes it reliable for tracking your location during hikes. Its heart rate monitor and health features like crash detection and fall detection add safety benefits that are useful outdoors. The watch is swimproof and has a stylish, lightweight design, but it lacks dedicated altimeter, barometer, and compass sensors that many hiking watches include for better environmental awareness.

Battery life is decent enough for day hikes but may fall short for longer multi-day adventures, as it typically lasts about a day with mixed use. The watch runs watchOS 11 and connects seamlessly with iPhones via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, providing smart features like calls, texts, and music, which keep you connected but might drain battery faster during extended outdoor use. Mapping and navigation rely on the Apple Maps app, which is good for urban or trail navigation but less specialized than some hiking-focused devices.

The user interface is intuitive and easy to use, especially for those already comfortable with Apple products. The Apple Watch SE is a great choice if you want a versatile smartwatch that handles fitness tracking and basic hiking needs well, but if you need rugged durability, extended battery life, or advanced hiking sensors, a dedicated GPS hiking watch might suit you better.