This section includes a collection of digital tools researched, used and/or tested by partners during the project for their outdoor sessions with young people.
It also includes links to natural trails in Ireland, Iceland, Finland, and Türkiye, curated by young people during the project and accessible through the free GAIA GPS app. Designed for diverse skill levels, each country features three trails that also include information on the duration, difficulty level and main points of interest.
This short and visual resource highlights top mobile apps designed to enhance outdoor experiences, specifically identification, navigation, and gamification activities. Youth workers and teachers can use these tools to identify wildlife with young people, plan hiking routes, and turn outdoor activities into engaging games.
The resource is available for download here. It includes direct links to each tool’s website for easy download.
This guide can be paired with the digital workshops we created in the Guidebook - Chapter 7, turning hands‑on learning into real‑world exploration.
In this section, you will find downloadable maps and digital trails that can be used to organise and conduct outdoor activities with young people.
We recommend using the GAIA GPS app and AllTrails App to explore these trails, offering you reliable guidance even in areas without cell service.
You can use these apps for your personal outdoor exploration sessions or to organise outdoor exploraition sessions with young people, encouraging environmental literacy, teamwork, and confidence while also practicing map-reading and navigation skills.
The GAIA GPS app and AllTrails App are two digital interactive community-powered trail discovery and mapping tools that helps you find, plan, and record hikes, runs, and bike rides.
Download the Apps:
Search for "Gaia GPS: Mobile Trail Maps" in the App Store or the Google Play Store.
Search for "AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run" in the App Store or the Google Play Store.
Using the Apps Free Versions:
Trail Discovery: Browse thousands of trails with user reviews, photos, and difficulty levels.
Offline Maps: it allows you to download a limited number of maps for offline use, ensuring you can navigate even without cell service. This is vital for safety.
GPS Navigation: use the app's GPS features to track your location, follow pre-planned routes (like the ones we shared below), and record your own adventures.
Route Planning: You can find existing trails or map your own. The app supports GPX and KML files for easy import and export.
Here are some suggested trails in Iceland, Ireland, Turkey, and Finland that you can explore using the GAIA GPS app:
IRELAND 🇮🇪
Doldrum Bay, Howth Cliffs, and Ben of Howth Loop - Time: 4hr | Difficulty: Easy
Glendalough - Time: 3hr | Difficulty: Moderate
Maulin, Djouce, and White Hill - Time: 5hr | Difficulty: Hard
Ireland has a great tradition of marking trails all around the country. You can consult downloadable or accessible maps at the following link:
The Ireland Walking Guide - each of these 44 way marked trails can be clicked on and are broken down into smaller sections with maps for each section
Trail head Ireland - you can buy maps by county
Recreation Map - Coillte - general recreation map laid out by the department of forestry, with locations for recreation broken down into categories like, walking, biking, pinic sites, camping. Once you click on the desired spot it brings you to external sites with info on the areas, the walks have downloadable maps and directions.
ICELAND 🇮🇸
Suðurnes - Time: 1hr | Difficulty: Easy
Mánaleið - Time: 4hr | Difficulty: Moderate
Blikdalur - Arnarhamar - Kambshorn - Þverfellshorn - Úlfarsfell - Time: 12hr | Difficulty: Hard
TURKEY 🇹🇷
Mersin Trail - Time: 2hr | Difficulty: Easy
Mersin Hike - Time: 3hr | Difficulty: Moderate
Adana Trail - Time: 5hr | Difficulty: Hard
FINLAND 🇫🇮
Raisionjoki - Time: 2hr 30min | Difficulty: Easy
Ilveskallio Route - Time: 1hr | Difficulty: Moderate
Ruissalo Nature Trail - Time: 4hr | Difficulty: Hard