What Is the Komoot App? Find hiking and cycling routes

Imagine an app that takes you beyond the obvious tourist stops and helps you find beautiful nature spots, walking trails, old towns, and scenic cycling routes you might otherwise miss. That is exactly what the Komoot app feels like to me.

I first discovered it in France. During a trip with friends, we spent a weekend in a small village near Strasbourg. The landscape was beautiful, and after walking around the village for a while, we started wondering whether there were any hiking trails nearby.

That was when Barbara picked up her phone and said, “Let me check.”

When I asked where she was looking, she simply replied: “There’s an app called Komoot.”

I was genuinely impressed that we could instantly see nearby hiking routes in a village none of us knew. That was how I met the Komoot app—and how I walked my first Komoot route in France. Check my instagram for amazing views from the route and other photos here: Melkeontheroad Instagram

What does the Komoot app do?

Komoot is an outdoor route planner and navigation app for hiking, cycling, running, mountain biking, and bikepacking. It helps you discover routes near you, plan your own adventure, and follow it with navigation once you are outside.

For travelers looking for a hiking route planner or a cycling route planner, Komoot offers practical information before you set off. You can check:

•⁠ ⁠Nearby hiking trails and walking routes
•⁠ ⁠Cycling routes, terrain, and difficulty levels
•⁠ ⁠Distance, estimated duration, and elevation gain
•⁠ ⁠Route highlights, photos, and tips shared by other users
•⁠ ⁠Offline maps and voice navigation for downloaded routes

In other words, it is useful when you do not just want to wander around randomly—you want to understand where a path goes and whether it suits the time, energy, and equipment you have.

Komoot can also be used in Turkey, although there are still fewer community-created routes than in many European countries. I actually think that creates an opportunity: if you find a great trail, viewpoint, or quiet road, you can add it and help other travelers discover it too.

Why I like Komoot for hiking and cycling

What makes the Komoot app particularly useful is that its routes are shaped by an active outdoor community. The paths you see are not just lines on a map; many include real experiences, photos, route highlights, and notes from people who have actually been there.

When I am travelling somewhere unfamiliar, that local context matters. A route may lead to a beautiful forest, a hilltop view, a quiet lakeside path, or a small village that would never appear in a standard travel guide.

Komoot also lets you filter routes by activity and difficulty, so you can choose something that suits your plans. Whether you want an easy afternoon walk, a full-day hike, or a longer bike ride, you can see the key details before leaving.

The offline navigation feature is especially helpful when travelling abroad or walking in areas with unreliable signal. Download the route before you go, and you can keep following it without depending on mobile data.

Who is the Komoot app for?

In my opinion, Komoot is a great app for:

•⁠ ⁠People who enjoy hiking, walking, and spending time in nature
•⁠ ⁠Travelers planning a trip by bicycle
•⁠ ⁠Anyone who wants to find routes rather than simply wander without a plan
•⁠ ⁠People who love discovering small towns, viewpoints, and lesser-known places
•⁠ ⁠Expats or new residents who want to explore the area around them

Basically, it is for anyone who wants to step away from the city and connect with a place more actively.

From the top of the hill, the village looked like this. Once we reached it, we could also see the forest stretching behind the mountain. It was beautiful too. Unfortunately, I did not take a photo, but you can find the video on my Instagram page.

Is Komoot worth using while travelling?

For me, yes. That small village walk in France changed the way I move through new places. Now, instead of asking, “Is there a walking trail around here?”, I open Komoot and ask, “Which route should we explore?”

The app has helped me see more than nature. It has also helped me notice the small towns, quiet roads, and unexpected views that turn a trip into a more personal experience.

If you are wondering what the Komoot app is and whether it is worth trying, I would recommend it if you enjoy walking, cycling, and discovering places beyond the usual tourist route. Sometimes one app does not just change where you go—it changes the connection you build with a place.

FAQs about the Komoot app

Is Komoot free to use?

You can create a Komoot account for free and explore its core route-discovery and planning features. Some maps, regions, and premium features may require a purchase or subscription, so it is worth checking the current options in the app before planning a longer trip.

Can I use Komoot offline?

Yes. You can download a planned route and use offline maps, which is particularly useful for hiking trails, rural areas, or international trips where mobile signal may be limited.

Is Komoot better for hiking or cycling?

Komoot works well for both. It provides activity-specific route planning for hiking, road cycling, mountain biking, running, and bikepacking, so the best choice depends on the kind of adventure you are planning.