When I'm hiking with my iPhone somewhere that there isn't good signal, here's what I do:

  • I start by preloading terrain maps onto my iPhone -- the built-in apps for mapping don't allow that
  • I mark important locations, like the trailhead, where I parked my car, my campsite, and so on
  • Then I power down the phone and navigate with map and compass


With a good case and a small recharger in my pack, to me it's a reasonable way to not need to spend money on a dedicated GPS. If I do get lost I can fire it up and figure things out without worrying that the battery will go dead due to continuously looking for a cell tower signal.

A dedicated GPS is a better way to go for a lot of people, especially if they're in areas they don't know well or are difficult to navigate.