Hiking offline with the Apple Watch
Intro ⌚️
I've had my Apple Watch (Series 3) for over 4 years. As a casual user of the watch, I would use it for tracking my rides, runs, and walks using the Workout app that it comes with. It worked perfectly for day-to-day training, but it wasn't advanced enough to show me where I was or where I was going.
In the past, as an avid road cyclist, I would use something like a Garmin Edge 520 to follow a pre-determined route, which would simultaneously track my speed, elapsed time, heart rate, etc. I wanted the exact same functionality but with my Apple Watch. It also needed to work totally offline, because I didn't have the cellular version of the watch, nor did I want to depend on my phone having signal for maps. My phone could then remain away for emergencies only.
WorkOutDoors
I downloaded the WorkOutDoors app on my phone for £5, which automatically carried across to my watch. View it on the App Store.
Just like that, I could then view a map as I did an activity, along with my speed, heart rate, etc...
Download GPX
I then wanted to import a pre-planned GPX file (a line to follow).
On my Macbook, I downloaded a GPX file of a 50KM mountain bike ride in the Brecon Beacons from AllTrails.
Import GPX
I used AirDrop to send the .gpx file from my Macbook to my iPhone.
AirDrop
My iPhone then displayed a "Open with..." box. I selected "WorkOutDoors".
It redirected me to the Route's Details page, I could see the route data had been successfully added.
I then clicked "Send to Watch" (top right).
Send to Watch
Download Map
The route gpx was then on my watch, but with no internet connection the map was just grey.
I went back to the route on my iPhone and clicked "Send Map".
The appropriate tiles were downloaded and sent to my watch. This is incredibly useful for taking short detours (or if you go the wrong way) these maps show other trails nearby you can work with.
Done! ✨
For the second time I did this, I had to change the Route displayed in "Settings > Routes", because it was still showing the route prior.
I thoroughly recommend this process, it's incredibly easy.
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